About Bible Journey
What is Bible Journey?
Bible Journey is our Workshop Rotation format Sunday School for Kindergarten through 5th graders. The mission of Bible Journey is to teach children the Bible stories well enough that they can retell them with confidence. The Workshop Rotation format allows us to accomplish this by reinforcing the story through repetition using multiple teaching methods. A Rotation is a three to six week period of time when we will cover one Bible story. Each week, each class rotates through a different Workshop, which is a room set up to explore the story using a particular teaching tool. We have decided to use six Workshops for our Rotations – Computers, Art, Games, Drama, Cooking and Video, as well as Worship in the 10AM service.
Why Rotation?
The Workshop Rotation format offers several advantages. First and foremost, it helps us to glorify God by teaching God’s Word to our children. Each story is taught from scripture, reinforcing the importance of the Bible to our faith. Second, taking several weeks to cover a single story allows us to cover it in a depth that simply is not possible with the current “one story a week” model. In addition to teaching the basic elements of the story, each Workshop will focus on some theological concept that can be applied to our lives today. Third, although we hope and expect all children to attend Bible Journey each week, the reality is that other commitments often prevent this. A child who misses one or more weeks of a Rotation will not miss the story, just whichever Workshop was scheduled that day. Fourth, we can wipe out “Sunday School Teacher Burnout”. Workshop leaders present one lesson plan (developed by our Design Team) for each Rotation, and teach it to a different class each week for three to six weeks. Last, but certainly not least, Workshop Rotation is lots of fun, and churches that use it report increased attendance from children, who really want to be there.
How Can I Get Involved?
Another benefit of the Workshop Rotation is that it allows more interaction between the adult congregation and the children. Here are specific opportunities to use your spiritual gifts to support this important ministry (the Design Team will teach and train you the necessary Biblical knowledge for each position):
Workshop Coordinator – Oversee one of the workshops (computers, cooking, art, drama, video, storytelling). Work with Design Team to develop lesson plans. Prepare workshop leaders to present lesson plans.
Workshop Leaders – Present the lesson plan in one of the six Workshops. Slight adjustments may be necessary for a different age group each week. Learn the Bible story again, from a different perspective!
Class Shepherd – Assigned as pairs to one class for the entire school year. Shepherds are the personal connection between the children and the church. Take attendance and collect the offering, lead the class in prayer for joys and concerns, follow up with visitors or absentees. Shepherds do not teach the lesson, but are on hand to assist in the Workshops.
