Internet
Explorer users will notice that the reviews are organized in a collapsible
outline. Simply click on a question and the answer will appear below it.
Resource: Courageous
Kids Stepping Out for Jesus
Produced
by:
David
C. Cook
Denomination:
non-denominational
resource.
-
Is this a "permanent" resource (i.e. you buy it once and you can reuse it over many years) or a "dated" resource (i.e. it is produced for just one summer, with a new one coming out each year)?
This is a dated resource, intended to be added to with each new season - What
are the main goals or aims of this VBS resource?
Intended to establish and to build relationships between children and God (Jesus), staff and children, and participant families and the church - What
is the content (i.e. particular Bible stories, a theological theme,
questions, etc.)?
This edition of the curriculum contains materials and plans for teaching stories from the Old Testament - For
what ages is it intended, and how are they grouped?
Young children. The age arrangements are as follows: Preschool, Early Elementary, Elementary, and Upper Elementary - What
is the structure of a week, a day, and/or class session in this VBS
program? What kinds of activities do learners engage in?
Participants gather for an opening assembly, then break off into small groups for the activities. Groups return together for the closing assembly. The activities consist of the telling of the Bible story, followed by related games and crafts that illustrate that story. Even the listed snack activity supports the lesson plan. Following the snack is a time for learning to apply the lesson to our daily lives. The closing assembly wraps up the day and introduces the theme for the following day. - What
kind of teachers would you need if you were using this VBS program?
In addition to being flexible and competent with the age-group, the teacher should be comfortable in the art of telling stories. - What
space, resources, additional staffing, and other resources would you need to
use this VBS appropriately?
This resource is aimed at releasing the imaginations of its participants while they learn of lives and cultures from long ago. There is a need for plenty of space in rooms that are appropriate for decorating and playing games. Staff and volunteers are needed for assistance with publicity and registration, crafts, site construction and snacks. - What
view of children, their development, their faith, and their ways of learning
are implicit in this VBS material?
The view of childhood faith, development and learning styles emphasizes the passage I Timothy 4:12. The material embraces the child’s immersion into the theme. It invites children to freely explore the differing sites, according to their individual learning styles. The material seeks to nurture a child’s spiritual character. - As
this VBS resource treats it, what IS the Bible, how is it interpreted, and
how is it used in the VBS?
According to this resource, the Bible is: Stories from long ago that teach lessons that apply to us today. The children re-live the stories and find the truths on which to base their own lives and behavior. - What
theological concepts or themes are central in this VBS?
A key theological concept: I Timothy 4:12 (paraphrased); “Though you are young, be an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity.” - How
does the promotional material (advertising or marketing pieces) relate to
the substantive content of the VBS (in other words, does it have slick
packaging, and does the packaging really have anything to do with the
content of the VBS program)?
The packaging is not extremely eye-catching, but it does reflect the themes of children traveling through the Old Testament stories. - What is
the cost of this resource? If a small church with 25 people attending
VBS wanted to use this material, how much would they have to spend? If
a large church with 100 people attending VBS wanted to use this material,
how much would they spend?
$69.95 for package. Materials offer many reproducible resources to help save money, but if a larger church wants to construct the sites to the listed specifications, it can be rather expensive (approx. $100 per site). - Over
all, what do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of this VBS resource?
+ Music and reproducibles allow for easy-learning of the songs + Thorough (even snacks apply to lesson) + Positive and empowering view of children + Allows for much hands-on learning + Intentionally connects with the families of the participants - High demand for volunteers - Can be costly