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.
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!
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.
