A guide to using themes

Cheryl Reid

Beacon Media

2 Linton Court Berwick 3806

Ph. (03) 9707 4857

www.beaconmedia.com.au

Resources aim to integrate God, His character, His nature and His word, into the school curriculum. This means that…

God can be encountered during study of any subject, and not only in the daily devotional period.

Themes for Kids is a supporting resource which unfolds the character and nature of God. Twelve major themes have been chosen, which give the children a balanced understanding of WHO God is…

God is creator, love, wise, protector, powerful, truth, pure, patient, a servant, life, provider, peace.

Each major theme has offshoots.

e.g. God is love: kind, merciful and forgiving

So in fact there are many more aspects of God represented.

As students come to know God personally, they will reflect more of God's character in their lives.

God has something to say on every topic we study. He should not be left out! The themes of the devotional program are intertwined with units of study.

For example…

food relates to God is Provider; buildings relate to God is Protector

the family relates to God is Love; Space relates to God is powerful

God-centred education

How is it different?

God is at the centre of the learning process. He is not isolated to Bible study periods.

What is Christian education?

·  Integrating good morals into the curriculum?

·  Helping students to become more Christ-like by providing a good Christian atmosphere?

·  A Bible study period each day, or each week?

·  The same as secular education, but with evolution and humanism removed?

·  Finding appropriate Scripture passages to tack on the end of our lessons?

While these things are good in themselves, they do not allow students to see God at work in their studies. God becomes separated out to morning devotions, or other more spiritual times of the day.

Since God is the author of truth, it seems only right to let Him have a say in the knowledge we teach. A thematic approach provides tools for integration of the knowledge of God's world, the part man plays, and how the Bible relates. If we do not include God in all that we teach, then we are excluding Him. Instead of Christian education we have secular education, which places man at the centre of learning.

A thematic, integrated God-centred curriculum integrates the knowledge of God with the educational process. It does not separate Bible study from the general curriculum. Instead it helps students to interpret the world around them through the eyes of the Creator. It relates God's word, integrated with general studies, to life. It directs students into an intimate knowledge of God, His word and His character. Truly God-centred education does not treat 'Bible' and 'academic knowledge' as separate disciplines, but attempts to place God and His character at the centre of all education.

How old is God-centred education?



Biblical Truth...... academic knowledge......



Integrated...... or separated...... ?

In Old Testament times, God and the Bible were central to life. For the Hebrews, God was not separate from education. The whole of Creation, (man included), was regarded as being dependent upon God the Creator. God was regarded as the measure of all things.

The Greeks, on the other hand, believed that man was the measure of all things. Living for the present was all that mattered. Life beyond death was not thought to be important. God was pushed out of the centre of the educational circle to the periphery. Priority was given to man's interpretation of knowledge, while God was separated from education and given low priority.

In education our children today we have the choice of two models:

The Greek model

The Hebrew model

Children need to be exposed to a broad spectrum of topics based on the world around them… topics like plants, people, animals, rocks, water, magnets and so on. A God-centred thematic approach attempts to link these topics with the Creator Himself. We should look for God’s perspective on everything around us.

‘Themes for Kids’ provides resource material that can be blended with a God-centered curriculum. The Bible stories and passages can provide a good basis for planning your program. For integrated curriculum, sections can be cut and pasted, rather than working through the program from beginning to end as you would for a Sunday School program.

Note: Tables for curriculum planning can be found at the end of this document.

How can I link the topic with the spiritual theme?

It is important to put God first and not the topic first.

Example:

Theme: God is Provider

Specific spiritual focus: God is a faithful provider

Topic: trees

NOT...

Topic: trees

After thought: God made trees

The learning centre should visually reflect the theme. Make a large, colourful sign for the wall, saying 'God is Provider'. Students can decorate each letter separately with colouful patterns. The sign serves as a daily visual reminder of the theme. As more and more work is completed, displays start to decorate the wall, including Scripture verses appropriate to the theme.

These Scripture verses can become memory verses. How much more meaningful for students to learn a verse like, 'My God shall supply all your needs...' Philippians 4:17, while studying God is Provider, than any memory verse at random.

When can I teach the spiritual theme? (eg. God is Provider)

1. Devotional periods

·  What does it mean to us personally?

·  What bible passages speak about the theme?

·  How does the creation reflect the theme?

·  Are there any personal Christian testimonies that prove God to be true in this way?

·  How does the theme relate to life's practical aspects?

·  Can the theme be brought into language arts?

·  Are there Christian biographies that can be studied?

·  Is there one that stands out in particular as showing God as Provider?

·  Is there any other Christian reading material on the theme that can be studied?

2. Science/ sociology/history/geography

·  Take the science/geography topic, 'trees' or 'rain forests'.

·  Remind the students of the Creator who made the trees, and His purposes for making them… He is our provider.

·  Make the link between the Creation and the Creator.

·  Ask: "Which Bible story did we read this week that reminded us of God's provision?" e.g. God provided for Ruth and Naomi

3. Music

·  Choose songs that teach about the theme.

·  See the Products page for song resources supporting the themes.

4. Art

·  Make your program theme based, (God first), and teach the skills within the context of the theme. This approach does not undermine the teaching of skills. . Students will be more motivated, more confident and present work of higher standard.

·  Examples: If you are teaching 'God is Creator' then illustrate the days of creation. Teach drawing and painting skills through the God is Creator theme. For God is Provider, make leaf rubbings or plant prints. Teach collage and design skills.

5. Prayer

·  Thank God for who He is.

·  Thank Him for His love, His protection, His provision.

·  Ask Him for protection and healing.

·  Ask Him to show you how to serve.

·  Ask Him to help you in becoming more like Jesus.

6. Character development

·  Constantly reinforce the teaching of God's character, weaving it into the daily educational process.

·  Remind the students that God wants us to be more like Him.

·  Examples: As we learn that God is loving, we are challenged to love others. As we learn that He is patient, we are challenged to be more patient.

·  A full list of character qualities, and ideas for teaching these can be found in the Jesus First resource.

How do themes work?

In a secular setting:

Sample topic: the weather

You could…

·  Find stories based on the topic of weather.

·  Study the weather in science.

·  Measure wind speeds and rainfall in maths.

·  Sing songs about weather.

·  Stimulate art work around the weather theme.

You could…

·  Make paper clouds stuffed with cotton wool, attack paper raindrops and hang them from the ceiling.

·  Make snowflake designs on the windows.

·  Do some creative writing about weather

·  Borrow library books on weather.

·  Make observation chart and weather maps in science, geography and maths.

·  Make lists of 'weather' words for spelling.

In a Christian setting we can do all this and more. We would begin by placing God at the centre.

We would…

·  Teach about an attribute of His character, such as 'God is Powerful'.

·  Ask the students how the weather topic reminds us of God's power.

·  Read the Bible story of Jesus calming the storm, showing His power over all of creation. Discuss God's power working in the lives of Christians, and the power He can give to help us through the storms of life.

·  Ask ourselves how an understanding of God's power can change our lives.

·  Discuss the meaning of Jesus as a powerful Lord…one who is in control of one's life.

·  Discuss the topic of faith in a powerful God.

Combining different aspects of God's character

It is possible to study two aspects at the same time by linking attributes. An example would be, 'God is a loving provider'.

Taking the topic, 'Rainforests', for example, we may want to study this topic for an extended period of time...perhaps 6 to 8 weeks. Placing 'rainforests' under the banner of God is a loving provider means that both love and provision can be studied throughout the theme.

Problem…

It is possible to choose a topic, choose an attribute of God, to

make an attractive display on the back wall...

G o d is P r o v i d e r . . . . .

He provides for the plants and animals in our rainforests

…and then carry on teaching the topic with no further reference to God in the study.

It is important to remind the student of God throughout the study and not just at the introduction point. Each time we begin a study session, ask the students, "What does the study of rainforests show us about God?" We need to ask God daily to reveal His mind and to get His perspective on everything we teach.

Evaluation

To ensure that the students are making the link between their academic studies and the spiritual theme, three key questions need to be asked regularly:

1. Which theme are we studying at present? (e.g. God is provider)

2. Which topic are we studying to remind us of the theme? (e.g. rainforests)

3. Which Bible passages and verses are we studying to show us that God is ....?

Maintaining a balanced program

Just as we would plan our academic curriculum carefully, ensuring that we are covering a balance of skills and a wide range of topics, so too should we plan the spiritual dimension. Are we covering all the attributes of God's character over a one or two year period? Are we covering a wide selection of Bible passages? If not, we are presenting the students with an unbalanced view of God. If we only study God's love and patience for example, and never study His purity and holiness, then we are not presenting a true picture of who God is.

Attributes List

God is…

Creator / Love / Wise
Designer / Shepherd / Just
Powerful / Friend / Guide
Ordered / Father / All-knowing
Awesome / Faithful / Truth
Resourceful / Kind / Right
Protector / Powerful / Truth
Refuge / Creator / Faithful
Deliverer / Healer / Just
Defender / Lord and King / Teacher
Father / Great and mighty / The Way
Pure / Patient / Servant
Holy / Loving / Faithful
Righteous / Kind / Healer
Good / Forgiving / Humble
Light / Persevering / Sacrificial
Life / Provider / Peace
Sustainer / Father / Reconciler
Joy / Faithful / Forgiving
Saviour / Generous / Protector
Redeemer / Resourceful / Comforter

Suggestions for integration

God is Creator

·  animal life; plant life; ecosystems

·  human biology

·  solar system

·  air

·  water

·  fossil records; creation science

·  technology; inventions

God is Love

·  myself; my family

·  understanding different cultural groups

·  understanding the aged and disabled

·  the third world: giving and sharing

·  friendship, fruits of the spirit

·  biographies of those who have shown kindness and compassion

·  technology; inventions (God's wisdom given to man)

·  the balance of nature

·  the age of discovery and exploration (God's guidance)

God is Wise

·  civil laws

·  environmental responsibility

·  safety

·  money

·  planning for the future; careers

·  biographies of those who relied on God for guidance and wisdom

God is Protector

·  family

·  shelter

·  protection services

·  the middle ages, (castles and fortresses)

·  human biology

·  sea voyages, ships and lighthouses

·  environmental protection

·  animal protection; camouflage

God is Powerful

·  force and motion

·  electricity

·  magnetism

·  solar system

·  landforms

·  change: chemical reactions

·  weather

·  transport; flight

God is Truth

·  friendship, (faithfulness and truthfulness)

·  scientific method

·  discovering real or substitute; fact or fantasy

·  scientist who discovered the truth

·  discovering the truth through archaeology

·  creation science

·  the media and advertising; consumer education

God is Pure

·  water, (symbol of purity)