Purchasing anything requires thought and planning. Choosing a restaurant? Your decision will depend on whether you are having breakfast, lunch, or dinner; whether or not the food fits your dietary requirements; and possibly even whether you are appropriately dressed for the place you choose. Buying clothing? Then you must consider the size you wear, the anticipated weather, and perhaps your favorite colors matter.  Looking for a good read? You will factor in the genre, the author, and maybe the length of the book and size of the type.

Some shopping decisions are made intuitively, but never without thought. You do not eat at the first restaurant you pass, buy the first outfit you see, or grab the book from the lowest shelf. Other decisions require the thought process to be more conscious and deliberate. Choosing curriculum for your church falls squarely in the latter category. Let's look at some quick criteria that will assure that you choose materials that are ready to teach.

1. Tools—Does it contain adequate resources for a teacher?
Barb could teach an effective lesson on the spur of the moment with minimal materials. Give her a handful of cotton balls and a few Popsicle sticks, and she could reenact the parting of the Red Sea or the feeding of the 5,000 with the wizardry of Spielberg! But most teachers require more.

When comparing curriculum, keep one fact in mind. Most Sunday school teachers are volunteers. Because of this, they probably have three big areas of need.

Time: Your teachers are homemakers, bakers, and bankers. They are computer techs and store clerks and carpenters. Their job and family responsibilities fill their schedules. While they take their positions as Christian educators seriously, they need teaching materials that can be prepared quickly. Look for curriculum that is rich in easy-to-prepare craft projects, attractive worksheets, and multimedia tools.

Teacher training: Granted, some Sunday school teachers are natural teachers while not being professionally trained teachers. But again, many are not. And while it would be ideal to give every volunteer a regular training seminar, this usually does not happen. Look for curriculum that teaches while being taught. Are lesson goals spelled out clearly and concisely? Is the lesson plan easy to follow? Does the material make suggestions for transitions between learning activities, classroom management, and other helpful hints?

3. Bible knowledge: Chances are, all of your Sunday school teachers are not seminary trained. But remember, with the right curriculum, teachers can be their own best Bible students. Look for curriculum with clear and concise Scripture commentary and perhaps suggestions for additional reading so an instructor can become more knowledgeable in the Word of God.

2. Ethos—Does it understand the world of the student?
Several years ago, a guest speaker in my congregation began a sermon with a reference to the then-popular pop tune, "What If God Was One of Us?" Unfortunately, he misquoted lyrics and attributed the song to Madonna rather than to Joan Osborne. I could almost hear an audible "click" as my teenage daughters tuned him out.

Ethos is defined as "the fundamental and distinctive character of a group, social context, or period of time, typically expressed in attitudes, habits, and beliefs." It is the world in which your students live. Look for two things that will provide for a smooth intersection of Bible teaching with life in the 21st century.

Staging: First impressions of students are crucial to successful instruction. Look at the curriculum from the perspective of the learner. Is the overall quality of the material similar to other printed materials students encounter? Do graphic treatments appear contemporary? Are people pictured in the curriculum representative of your students' ethnicity, socio-economic level, and culture?

Substance: Frankly, any church education program is simply a waste of an hour unless a learner walks out of the classroom with a lesson that can change his or her life. Does the curriculum have well-defined modern-day applications and closing challenges that can be accomplished by the student? Look for relevant case studies, role plays, and stories in the materials.

3. Approach—Does it allow for different kinds of learners?
Bob, the captain of the school football team, failed physical education during the spring quarter. Why? He was unable to participate in a gymnastics unit due to a broken leg, so his instructor simply gave him an F. We marvel at the monumental insensitivity and lack of creativity of such a teacher!

Only a very poor teacher blames the student for not learning the way he or she chooses to teach. True teaching happens when a teacher connects with the needs of each individual student. No one should know class members better than the teacher. The authors and publishers of the curriculum you choose have probably never met a single learner in your church face-to-face! Therefore, in order to assure that a curriculum can reach those in your church education program, it must have a couple of characteristics.

Age-appropriateness: One size fits all works for socks. But that is about it. Look for a curriculum with a number of clear age divisions. Compare lessons at various age levels to make sure that the methodology employed changes with the development of the student.

Flexibility: Look for a curriculum that allows the teacher to customize it. A good curriculum should provide options. Are there activities for both large and small classes? Are there activities for students who learn by doing as well as those who learn by seeing, hearing, or reading? Classroom management issues are largely solved when teachers teach the way students learn.

4. Cost—Does it fit into your budget?
After it had become obvious that I had no grasp of the differences between clashing shades of brown or the importance of wearing the right footwear with an outfit, my wife graciously commandeered the task of buying my clothing. But another benefit emerged from her purchases. I had dressed in discount store chic. She purchased much better merchandise that lasted longer and actually saved money in the long run.

Curriculum is similar. Hidden costs may make materials more expensive to use than would appear at first glance. Consider the amount of ready-to-use materials that are included in the curriculum package. Contrary to popular practice, for example, photocopies are not free! Factor in machine and materials cost, and one might find that purchasing a full-color workbook for each student may actually be more economical than making grainy black-and-white copies.

Also, look for multiple use opportunities. Can the same material be used for Sunday school and for a second-hour children's program? Is there enough content for both Sunday school and a mid-week discipleship study? Does the curriculum contain posters or music or other extras that can enhance the learning environment long after the lesson is taught?

5. Heart—Does it rely upon the transformational power of Scripture?
Here's a funny thing. A college alum's grade point average, the number of class offices he or she held, and even the reputation of the alma mater ceases to matter after a few years on the job. Job performance makes all else irrelevant.

We must never forget the aim of our church education programs. It is interesting that the Bible never treats knowledge alone as the goal of education.

"Teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you" (Exodus 33:13). "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth" (Psalm 86:11). "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). 

The goal of curriculum is not to transmit theological abstraction but to complete spiritual construction.

The story has often been told of the village church in Kalonovka, Russia, years ago. The priest increased attendance at Sunday school by handing out candy to peasant children who memorized a verse of Scripture. One faithful student eventually learned to recite all four Gospels from memory. That prize pupil was Nikita Khrushchev, the Communist czar of the mid-20th century. As an adult, he still liked to recite Scriptures, but in a context that would horrify the old priest!

Look at the kind of questions asked in a curriculum. Fill-in-the-blank exercises communicate only at the very lowest cognitive levels. Look for questions that require students to comprehend the meaning behind the words, analyze the significance of the lesson, and synthesize new understanding with previous learning.

Curriculum shopping should never be spur-of-the-moment or capricious. A poor restaurant choice can lead to a few hours of indigestion. Poor clothing choices may warrant ridicule by the fashion police. A poorly chosen book may become one that is retired to a dusty shelf before it is opened. But poorly chosen curriculum has much greater ramifications. Care should be taken that any curriculum you choose is ready to teach.  

Jim Eichenberger has authored curriculum materials and numerous books and articles on education and popular culture. He currently serves as senior editor of Youth Ministry Resources and as managing editor of iMinistries at Standard Publishing.

Product Roundup

Group's KidsOwn Worship
At KidsOwn Worship Children's Church, kids sing…shout…and celebrate God's goodness and love. This kids' church program gives you all you need in one quarterly kit—13 engaging, 30- to 60-minute sessions that get your kids exploring why God is worthy of their praise. Kids' church is where your preschoolers and elementary children build their worship foundation. This is where they focus on God in a personal way—and experience children's worship through uplifting songs and fun, memorable Bible learning.
www.group.com

Concordia's Growing in Christ
Growing in Christ is a Sunday School curriculum rich in God's holy Word. Students learn all the major stories of the Old and New Testament and see how God weaves His plan of salvation in Christ through the lives of ordinary men, women, and children. It is filled with age-appropriate activities and teaching tools that engage children in meaningful, relevant interaction with God's Word. It provides flexible teaching options, adaptable for local circumstances, giving teachers the choice to use what works best for them.
www.sundayschool.cph.org

Witness from Augsburg Fortress
For nearly two decades, Witness Sunday School Curriculum from Augsburg Fortress has been one of the most trusted names in Sunday school curriculum, setting the standard of quality for Sunday school throughout the country. With its fresh, easy-to-use format, Witness is a great way to teach the kids you know and care about how to "Learn from the Bible to Live the Good News." What is the good news? God promises, provides, and is present throughout human history. Join the thousands of congregations who know, grow, and share their faith with Witness.
www.augsburgfortress.org

HeartShaper from Standard Publishing
HeartShaper Children's Curriculum helps the youngest children build positive attitudes and relationships in the church, and guides growing children as they learn Bible stories, verses, values, and skills that shape them to love God and follow Jesus for a lifetime. Engaging music, colorful visuals, fun activity pages, and easy-to-use lesson plans provide teachers with options at every age level for meeting the unique needs and abilities of the children in their class. Age levels include: Toddlers and 2s, Preschool, Pre-K & K, Early Elementary, Middle Elementary, and PreTeen.
www.heartshaper.com

Cokesbury's Live B.I.G.
Live B.I.G. from Cokesbury helps children see, hear and live their Belief In God. Short video segments bring faith-filled, high-energy excitement to your children. Help your children come to know the love of God through Jesus by making your Sunday school a place they want to be. Help them live out their belief in God in their everyday lives. Dream B.I.G. and bring it to life with Live B.I.G., a DVD-based Sunday school resource designed to excite and enrich your children's spiritual lives by bringing their everyday real world experience into Sunday school.
www.sundayschool.cokesbury.com

Kingdom Quest from Kids Kount Publishing
Kids Kount Publishing's Kingdom Quest is designed to help students achieve Biblical literacy. In all ages, about half the year is spent in the Old Testament and half in the New Testament. All lessons point to Jesus as the one who purchased our salvation and gives us the power to live for him. Kingdom Quest is designed to recycle materials in future years. Fifty-eight lessons are provided each year.
www.kidskountpublishing.com