Sunday school originally began in 1780 because people wanted to teach poor children to read as they typically worked in factories all week. Nearly all children went to Sunday school - even if their parents did not go to church - and along with learning to read, they were taught the Bible - as it was the main book they learned to read. These children also learned to write as they copied verses from the Bible.
Eventually in the 1870's week-day school began and children learned to read and write during the week, but Sunday school was still a valued part of most children's childhood. Churches typically used their denomination's published children's curriculum but most of them taught a overview of "main" Bible accounts.
Today, while some churches continue to use their denomination's curriculum, there are many curriculum options available. Churches tend to put thought and prayer into choosing which curriculum resource they will use in their Children's Ministry - and some churches even write their own curriculum.
Deeper In for Children is a curriculum option which is designed to help you teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe AND what is the difference it makes to my everyday life for me to know what the Bible teaches.
Teaching the "whats" has been part of church for hundreds of years and there are solid reasons for doing so, but just as there was a point in time where they began to teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe, and what is the difference it makes for me to know these things, now is the point in time where we need to also realize the need for teaching the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe.
It is clear by looking at the families in your church and community, more and more young people are leaving the faith they once had. Many of them would not leave their faith if they knew why they are able to believe, so why wouldn't we teach the "whys"? When we teach the "whys" we are equipping the children in our church and community so they are able to have a confident faith.
When we only teach the "whats" we are only doing half of what we need to do. Make this year the time where you teach the "whys" in your church. How do you do this? How do you teach children the "whys"? Use Deeper In for Children to teach the "whats" because it also includes Anchored supplemental curriculum to teach the "whys".
Anchored is easy to use, engaging, and memorable. It will help you and parents/grandparents hand down confident faith. We are able to help the children in our ministries and families grow up so they are able to "give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." - but for this to happen, we must teach it to the children we love. When we do, they will know the doctrine they have been taught is sound and they will be able to stand firmly with a confident faith!
Check out Anchored. It is included for free with Deeper In for Children and provides the tools you need to teach the "whys"! You will find samples at this link. Please share the information with the leaders in your church and with friends/family who attend different churches. Anchored will equip them to also teach the "whys" - and equip the parents and grandparents to do the same! When we do this, we will be able to hand down confident faith which lasts to the children we all love!
Please plan now to use Deeper In for Children and Anchored with the children in your ministry. It will make a difference!
Deeper In for Children is a very intentional curriculum and when you use it in your ministry, the children will learn, remember, understand, and know how to live God's Word! You will find a sample Elementary lesson at this link and a Preschool sample lesson at this link - you are able to order and download your Deeper In for Children digital curriculum at this link.
#handdownconfidentfaith #anchored #teachthewhys #DeeperInforChildren #teachthewhats
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