“Growing in Christ” Sunday School
We had a convocation today from CPH (Concordia Publishing House) on their new Sunday School material , starting in the fall. I was sufficiently impressed, so much so I would advocate speaking to your pastor, SS superintendent about using it.
Key points from memory:
- Law/Gospel with every lesson from young grades through adult
- The materials start age 3 through ADULT. The kids and parents share the same lessons.
- CPH is nearly finished with a 2yr/Parents material which will follow this series loosely.
- The catechesim is taught right away (I think 3yr old)
- They have a musical version of the cathechism with CDs for the kids to take home. Its orthodox, complete with "what does this mean?" in song.
- No more silly hearts for God's love, but the crucifix (cross with corpus.)
- Very interactive (parent-student, student-teacher, student-student)
- The "opening" material follows a liturgical order
- "Songs" are usually hymn stanzas or liturgical elements (except in the youngest grades)
- New painted artwork (few silly cartoons)
- Within the 3yr cycle (follows lectionary of the church year) students get the Gospels three times and the OT/Acts once.
- The teacher packets have many questions, time guidelines, boldface for important "must say" things
Overall, I was very impressed. it's holistic, catechetical, and doesn't end on Sunday morning.
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Chris
our pastor’s wife helped write for middle grades . So our church will probably go with it. She (Michelle Bauman) also helped write a new study guide for the catechism.
It’s going to be THE sunday school material from CPH for 12-15 years. I don’t know what else you can find that is as complete, lutheran, whole Bible, catechetical, and as well done visually.
Dr. Fickenscher also helped. He’s solid and confessional.
Thank God for interim director of CPH Rev. Paul McCain. I’ll take a solid interim director putting out great materials (like the Reader’s Book of Concord) over a poor permanent one any day!
Our vicar (Josh Genig) helped write it too. Also very solid and confessional.