The task of choosing the right curriculum can be rather daunting, causing teachers to lean towards convenience. However, outcome-based discipleship utilizes a student-centered approach. Choosing the right curriculum is not only essential to effective discipleship, but it also determines the direction of our ministry. As leaders we know that reinforcing the values and vision of our church, addressing the felt needs of our students, and seeing the Word of God reflected in their lives is our objective. The curriculum is merely the vehicle that moves us towards that desired destination. If we are cognizant of the needs of our children, then we can be more informed and intentional when it comes to choosing a curriculum that will set up our students and our ministry for success.

Five Questions for Intentionally Choosing a Curriculum

1. Does it allow for vertical and horizontal alignment within your church’s discipleship plan? You may be in children’s ministry, but you cannot deny the fact that through a child you are in some way ministering to her entire family. Therefore, it is important to choose a curriculum that vertically aligns with biblical truth and horizontally aligns with the core values and discipleship objectives of your church as a whole.

2. Does it adapt to all learning styles, needs, and settings? Choose a curriculum that is not uniform in its approach. You want a curriculum that supports a variety of grouping configurations (whole group, small groups, one-on-one); that presents the message in a variety of ways; and that can easily be adjusted to meet the needs of students.

3. Does it promote experiential learning? The curriculum should lead students to experience the love and power of God firsthand through worship, prayer, hands-on activities, role play, and life application. It should effortlessly allow students to respond to God’s Word within their personal context.  

4. Does it nurture relationships? The curriculum should allow for plenty of interaction both inside and outside of the classroom through student-to-teacher discussion, peer-to-peer collaboration, questions, lesson extensions that foster parental involvement and set up the student for that ongoing mentor relationship.

5. Does it provide a viable method for measuring growth? Two of the most important questions I learned as a teacher were, “How do you know the student learned the content? How do you know you met the objective?” Select a curriculum that provides students with ongoing self-assessment and allows them to measure their own progress.