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View the current week's student or teacher quarterly for each division.
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 usi ng 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!
Read more about Gracelink and visit the web site at www.gracelink.net
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