The new Sabbath School curriculum for children is a result
of careful market research conducted among children's leaders
across the United States and Canada (1995). These leaders
told us they wanted an 'Adventist' curriculum, Bible-based
and doctrinally specific. It must be more colorful and attractive
to kids, and easier for busy adults to use. They wanted something
to actively engage children in the learning process--something
that ultimately leads them to a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ. An alarming number of respondents expressed
dissatisfaction with current church-produced materials and
said that they were using other curricula.
When Church administrators
learned that the religious education of a growing number of
Adventist children was being entrusted to non-Adventist publishers'
materials, they voted to find the necessary resources to develop
something new. Although North American leadership was convinced
of the need to move forward, a decision was made to wait for
world-wide consensus on the need for change. In 1996, the
GC World Curriculum Committee accepted a proposal for a new
curriculum.
The scope of the
project is bold, spanning twelve years (ages birth thru 8th
grade), 48 quarters, 654 lessons! Noelene Johnsson, Director
for North America Children's Ministries, conducted the initial
research, built consensus for change and contracted the development
of the core curriculum dynamics and direction. The General
Conference Sabbath School department, under the direction
of Dr. Patricia Habada, identified and supervised specialists
representing every world division to write the new lessons
and program activities. Both the Review & Herald and Pacific
Press Publishing Association fully committed their resources
to produce brand new, four-color artwork for each age level.
A new generation
of Adventists will now have the opportunity to focus on the
four aspects of a growing Christian experience--Grace,
Worship, Community and Service. Everything they see will
be fresh and exciting. They will be constantly challenged
to apply Bible teachings to everyday life. Teachers
and parents can feel confident that children will celebrate
the beautiful, distinctive Adventist teachings in a positive,
inclusive learning environment that encourages their active
role as members of their church and their world. We can be
very proud of our church--and every person who entrusted their
work to God in the creation of this curriculum, for it is
only by His grace that a project of this magnitude could ever
be accomplished. And success will be measured in heaven!
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North American Division Children's
Ministries___