Intentional Churches Going Beyond the Stories
by Alice Decker
As our young people face a world that is increasingly hostile to Christianity and the Bible, they will need to not only be convinced in their own hearts that God’s Word is true and reliable, but they need to be able to give a reason for their faith (1 Peter 3:15). Aſter years of teaching Sunday School
with material that basically presented Bible stories with a Christian concept, it is so fulfilling now to teach the Bible with a goal to truly know God. Answers in Genesis® provides “An-
swers Bible Curriculum” with a three- year chronological study from Genesis to Revelation. Scripture is taught with an apologetics approach. Te first quar- ter is committed to establishing the au- thority of Scripture. What value is there in teaching the Bible if our children are not convinced it is truth? Can your children answer questions like: How did we get the Bible? Lots of religions claim to have God’s Word, so how do I know the Bible is true? What is the Trinity? How can I know what God is like? Does God even exist? Does the Bible have mistakes? Why do we have to use the Bible at all? Moving from creation and through the
amazing accounts of God’s activity in the Old Testament, the curriculum frequently refers us back to a chart that reminds us who God is — we learn his attributes. Te scarlet thread of God’s grace is woven through all the lessons. Timelines, posters and work sheets guide us as we teach. Te material provides a wealth of
background information for teachers, and resources are plentiful. And yes, the material is relevant for all ages, pre-kinder- garten through adult. Our teachers con- tinue to comment what a joy it is to teach because they have learned so much just in the preparation, and have information that will challenge their students.
“Our teachers continue to comment what a joy it is to teach because they have learned so much just in the preparation.”
Faith Evangelical Bible Church is in its second year of using Answers in all age
levels. Families find that by all studying the same material, opportunities for discussion open up at home. If you are looking for “something more” for your Sunday School, we would highly recommend the Answers Bible Curriculum (
answersingenesis.org/ answers-bible-curriculum).
Alice Decker is the church secretary at Faith Evangelical Bible Church of Henderson, Neb. She and her husband Bob have been involved in Sunday School teaching for the past 50 years. Tey have three children with families living in Henderson Nebraska; Clinton, Iowa; and Havre de Grace, Maryland. Aſter graduating fom Grace University, they spent 10 years in inner city ministry in Omaha and 22 years in a Christian bookstore ministry in Sioux City, Iowa. Deckers are currently retired in Henderson.
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