| Education |Children's Ministries |Sunday Morning Ministries |Journeyland |Workshop Rotation Model |
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The Workshop Rotation Model |
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP ARE ENCOURAGED
No matter our age, when a child has an opportunity to EXPERIENCE scripture or a Biblical concept or story, that child has an opportunity to GROW in a relationship with God and SHOW Christ's love for others. 10% of what we read 20% of what we hear 30% of what we see 50% of what we see and hear 70% of what we say 90% of what we say and do And almost 100% of what we EXPERIENCE BIBLE THEMES, STORIES AND CONCEPTS ARE EXPERIENCED
Over a series of three to five weeks children experience the same Biblical theme, concept or story repeatedly through different modalities. If they miss one week, they will still hear the story the next time! Concept focused lessons are taught in the five different Journeyland classrooms which lend themselves well too many possibilities for activities. Each lesson encourages a sense of exploration and invites children to ask, "How will this change me?" to discern how they can apply what they're learning.
Children learn in a variety of ways using many of their learning pathways by EXPERIENCING the theme, story or concept. Children enjoy returning each week because they have other rooms to experience in the weeks to come there is always a surprise, but, the consistency of the same Shepherd and classmates. While they may enjoy one way more than another, we believe this repetition allows for better integration of the faith story in their hearts and minds.
Children's Ministries is committed to trusting and equipping adults who are working with children. This includes specific training and development opportunities as well as ongoing support and encouragement for volunteers. Because research from the Barna Group shows that positive interactions and relationships at church have a greater impact on overall faith development than the actual Sunday School lesson, we want to encourage and develop positive relationships with peers and adults
A shepherd has nurturing gifts and stays with one group of children all year. They are not, however, expected to plan and teach the rotation lesson. Each week shepherds are with the same group of children, getting to know them and love them. They have no preparation and act as an extra set of hands. They may be responsible for taking attendance, summarizing the lesson, refreshing the memory verse from week to week, sending birthday cards or making sure someone gets to the bathroom. Shepherds provide the continuity that we so dearly miss in today's rushed society. WHERE THEIR PARTICULAR INTERESTS AND GIFTS WILL BE USED
These workshop rotation leaders teach the same lesson five weeks in a row adjusting for the grade level they have that week. When adults are teaching in their area of giftedness (and have the opportunity to teach their lesson on more than one occasion) they get really good at it, grow in confidence and enjoy the lesson more. Their enthusiasm is reflected and the children pick up on this!
Each week a different set of children rotate into a particular learning environment. During a five week rotation for example, they may experience a lesson through drama, a science or cooking lab, an art project, a computer program or in the form of a first person storyteller. The flexibility of each room to adapt to new ideas and lessons is central. A drama lesson might sound exciting, but, if it's not the best way to teach a particular Biblical concept, the drama room gets used to teach a different lesson. This model encourages artisans and other creative people from within the congregation to create murals, interior design themes and authentic looking Bible environments for each room or hallway. Tents, clay pots and oriental rugs adorn the storytelling room while maps on the wall, computers and the popcorn machine create an enhanced environment which in turn encourages better retention of the Biblical content. |