MAKING CONNECTIONS WIH KIDS:

THE LEARNING PROCESS AND THE WORKSHOP ROTATION MODEL

Bible Stories and Theology: Their value and meaning for our curriculum

Jesus was a teacher. Jesus is still our teacher. Jesus' miracles were action pictures for those who needed to see to understand. His actions and their involvement led them to learn and do what Jesus taught them. He used parables to challenge the logical learner. His storytelling spoke to those linguistic learners. Jesus taught in multiple ways to open and transform a person's perception and faith toward a new relationship with God and faith-filled living. Our curriculum aims at transforming children's lives for Christ through hearing, seeing, and being involved in meaningful learning.

We use theological concepts and Bible stories that actively engage children in expanding and improving their knowledge of God. The Biblical and theological concepts help children make meaningful connections to a more faithful vision of who God truly is-the God of love and grace. By giving them multiple experiences, learners can be guided toward a personal relationship with God. Our goal is for children to learn these theological concepts through Bible stories so they can learn specific attitudes and actions for faithful living in everyday situations.

We have designed into our curriculum to make connections for kids. We do that through a integrated process where spiritual formation and education goals are integrated, so the following can occur:

• Interpretation of biblical stories and theological concepts by children, which they can relate to their daily living;
• Reflection by children on the stories of the Bible and their own lives;
• Discerning what the meaning of the Christian faith is for them and choosing to act faithfully because of aspects of their faith they have experienced through imagination, stories, ritual, and artistic expression.