Whilemany parishes look at a new school year as a "fresh start". Without thinking it through, the "fresh start" is merely a slow revert back to status quo. I am a huge believer in improving on things that worked well last year, and scrapping the things that did not work at all - but to do either well, you must start the year "right."
Check out this blog for a few things to consider to start the year "right."
The lessons throughout this scope year include themes of honesty, obedience, boldness, and conviction because just like my parents, these are the ones most parents hope to instill on their teens before they graduate high school and head off to their young adult lives. Interwoven in the lesson plans are the stories of our Orthodox saints as well as Old and New Testament stories teaching of Biblical virtues important for our practical lives. This year is the season of virtues - a year to help our teens make the Bible real and practical, to relate to and unite to Christ in everything. May you have a blessed school year!
The middle of summer is the perfect time to think about your youth-ministry effort and the resources you'll need to equip your volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year. We know that every parish has different needs, sizes, constraints, and budgets and, so, we compiled this blog post of many Orthodox resources we know about from us, other vendors, and even free providers in an effort to help you find the best tools for your needs. Whatever resources you use, remember that curriculum is a tool - not handcuffs! Take the time to find the best tool for the job that will equip your volunteers for a great year and please, reach out if we can be of any help! BtO is committed to praying for all of you as we seek to connect our youth to the Orthodox faith. Blessings!
No one can deny the amazing conveniences, advantages, and benefits the internet, our phones, and social media provided. At the same time, there's a dilemma... isn't there? A problem worth discussing?
These devices can easily turn into the yoke of bondage St. Paul warned us about in Galatians. Our social media accounts can easily become a cesspool of jealousy, envy, and depression. Hiding behind an internet screen, our words often lose integrity- building more barriers than bridges.
Our curriculum provides, on purpose, more content than you could ever squeeze into a lesson. The key is to pick and choose the elements that will work best for your class age and demographics. In other words, curriculum is not a replacement for preparation. Check out some tips to make the curriculum work for you.
"Food" for thought - what could be taken away from you that would steal your joy? In honor of my mom's birthday, I am dedicating our November unit "You Are What You Eat" to her - she lived a life of true joy despite a debilitating disease (ALS) because of the nourishment she received from the Lord. Her joy came from the Lord and we know that because when all her "favorite things" were taken from her, the smile of joy remained. Her Bible, withered, highlighted, underlined, and used was the only food she required. Do your teens know how to study the Bible - how to draw such nourishment? A great series for an apt time of year where our joy tends to be based on holiday meals, family gatherings, and gifts.
While some of our youth honestly said the Liturgy was “boring,” we challenged them to really try to understand the parts of the Liturgy, the deeper meaning behind the prayers – so that it would no longer be an obligation – so that it would no longer be “boring.”One of our youth asked a wonderfully thought-provoking question in response. He asked: What if I do all that and it is still boring – what if it just isn’t "my thing?" Can the Liturgy be "our thing" or is it something we were just created for? God created us to be united in relationship with Him.
Curriculum in the context of Sunday School is not merely an academic endeavor - there are no tests, no passing grades, no moment where you "graduate" one class and move on to the next. There is no right "speed" in which a student should learn the material. We are not talking about head knowledge, but helping teens build a relationship and love for God in their life journey. Our approach to curriculum at BtO is to make Biblical and Orthodox faith themes real and relevant to our youth- so that their faith becomes personal by the time they reach adulthood. What is working for you and what is not? BtO is here to help!
This past Sunday I was teaching the lesson and all of a sudden one of my teen students blurted out, "wait a minute - this lesson... it sorta ties in to the game we were playing in the beginning of class - did you do that on purpose?!" Yep! BtO does not insert games for the sake of games... they all tie in to the message of the day. Thanks for noticing haha.
But that really does tie in to an important point worth highlighting - you have a finite time with your students, so make your curriculum work and whatever you do - do it on purpose.
My younger son often asks me why Jesus couldn’t be more direct with His words: Why did He speak in riddles?”
It is a great question to think about especially this time of year as we re-live Christ’s days on Earth. Why did Jesus teach in Parables? Wouldn’t it have been more effective, more practical, to just give textbook teachings and sermons?
Through the imaginative allegories that came through in His parables, Christ described the indescribable in a way we could understand and in a way we would never forget. There was wisdom and prophecy behind the stories. There was accountability in His words. There was love for humankind resonating in each allegory. This Lent season, I encourage you to embrace the message and beauty found in Christ's Parables.
Purity, Dating, Marriage, and Sex were sometimes addressed when I was a teen growing up, but rarely done well. All too often we avoid these tough topics, which means teens are learning from their default teachers: TV shows, movies, music, social media, the internet, friends in school, and even friends in church. These teachers portray sex and dating in an attractive and enticing way, but a lie nonetheless. It is crucial that we broach this subject and deliver the message properly. That is why I was honored to contribute to the Dating and Purity Curriculum developed by Bridges to Orthodoxy. This is a resource our teens so desperately need, and one I wish I had growing up.
While we are used to putting in the work in the literal building, this year we are called to create Holy Week at home, and be at the foot of Christ without the literal Church building. Our very own contributor, Madona Lawindy, eloquently shares her thoughts on what Holy Week at Home means, meditating on the story of Mary and Martha.
