CDA Catalog 1999 for pdf2leaderresources.org/assets/images/MustardSeed/Overview.pdf · Life’s...
Transcript of CDA Catalog 1999 for pdf2leaderresources.org/assets/images/MustardSeed/Overview.pdf · Life’s...
1
Mustard Seed Series®
Bible-Based Sunday School Curriculum for Grades Kindergarten through Confirmation
PREVIEW KIT
2
The Mustard Seed Series®
An Exploration of Faith
Rooted in Scripture• Centers on the Bible, its people, and their story • Covers the principal, important texts of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and New Testament • Explores themes in the biblical text• Links biblical truths to life’s dilemmas• Analyzes the significance of biblical events for our lives as Christians
Spiritually Challenging• Emphasizes spiritual formation, worship, Christian discipleship, and service• Teaches how to pray• Encourages children and adults to question and wonder as they find God• Helps young and old develop Christian belief, identity, and commitment
Educationally Sound• Adapts its program to accommodate for age differences and cognitive skills• Presents our faith story coherently and chronologically • Creates a solid foundation for growth in the faith• Develops students’ critical and interpretive thinking skills from a Christian perspective• Uses literature, fine arts, and music to enrich the students’ educational experience
Teacher Friendly• Makes teacher recruitment easier due to comprehensive materials• Prepares teachers for each class with thorough lesson plans• Keeps students engaged with good discussion starters and interactive activities
Broadly Based• Offers 34 lessons for each of ten grade levels from Kindergarten through Confirmation
(Grades K-9)• Allows for group grading• Encourages adults to review our faith story as teachers and to use Pre-Confirmation 1 and 2 and
Confirmation levels for their own classes
Denominationally Sensitive• Lends itself to the incorporation of denominational material• Follows the church calendar by interspersing special lessons on Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and
other liturgical high points
WELCOME TO…
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Reasons to Move fromLectionary-Based Curriculum to
the Mustard Seed Series®
the Mustard Seed Series®
Lectionary-Based Curriculum
Material for only four multi-grade-level groupings
Based on 34 lessons a year, contains 102 biblical texts for a three-year cycle which is repeat-ed again and again
Mildly challenging and very repetitive
Biblical sequence is disjointed; lessons are uncon-nected from class to class.
Many texts are inappropriate for students’ stage ofcognitive development.
Curriculum material changes from year to yearand makes it difficult for Christian EducationDirectors to oversee a consistent educational plan.
Need to purchase new, changing materials everyyear. Most supplements are not included in theteacher’s package.
Mustard Seed Series®
Material for ten grade levels starting withKindergarten
Based on 34 lessons a year, contains 340 biblical texts for ten years – 238 morebiblical texts important for Christian growth
Uses an in-depth, critical thinking approach fordiscerning the meaning of biblical texts
Coherent and chronological order enables stu-dents to understand biblical events and characters’place in time.
Age-appropriate biblical texts nurture students’ growing awareness of God.
Grade level material remains consistent and inplace from year to year, frees the Sunday Schoolfrom instructional uncertainty, offers continuityand the opportunity for advance planning.
Cost effective. One-time purchase except for StudentBooks. Teacher and Student Books are for an entireschool year and include all supplements.
The Mustard Seed Series® is an educationally superior program. Its design is like a ladderin which each rung is a necessary, important step leading to the next stage. The MustardSeed Series® opens the minds and spirits of students and teachers to the richness, variety,and purpose of God’s word and action among us.
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Mus
tard
See
d Se
ries
®at
a G
lanc
eK
IND
ERGA
RTEN
OLD
AND
NEW
TES
TAM
ENTS
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
God
Crea
ted
the
Wor
ldH
anna
h an
d Sa
mue
lGo
d M
ade
You
Spec
ial
God’
s H
ouse
Pray
erTh
e M
usta
rd S
eed
Para
ble
The
Wid
ow’s
Mite
Jesu
s Ca
lms
a St
orm
Jesu
s Ca
lls D
isci
ples
Jesu
s H
eals
the
Sick
and
the
Blin
dTh
anks
givi
ngAd
vent
Birt
h of
Jesu
sTh
e Ch
rist
mas
Sto
ryEp
ipha
nyTh
e Th
ree
Wis
e M
enLi
fe S
tori
es o
f Fiv
e-Ye
ar-O
lds
Jesu
s En
ters
Jeru
sale
mTh
e Ea
ster
Sto
ryTh
e Se
lfish
Gia
ntM
othe
r’s D
ayGo
d’s
Wor
ld in
the
Spri
ng
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Bib
lical
Tex
tan
d Re
late
d St
orie
sI A
m S
peci
alM
y Ch
urch
Fam
ilyM
y Fa
mily
God
Is w
ith U
sGi
ving
and
Sha
ring
Fear
and
Sec
urity
Frie
ndsh
ipLo
nelin
ess
Than
kful
ness
Diff
eren
ces
in P
eopl
eBe
ing
Diff
eren
tSt
ealin
gFo
rgiv
enes
sLo
ve a
nd R
espo
nsib
ility
Cari
ng fo
r O
ther
s
PRIM
ARY
1 (G
rade
1)
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
God’
s W
orld
, Cre
atio
n, N
oah’
s Ar
kPr
ayer
Abra
ham
, Sar
ah a
nd Is
aac
Jaco
b an
d Es
auJo
seph
Than
ksgi
ving
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sTa
king
Car
e of
God
’s W
orld
How
Pra
yer
Hel
ps U
sTr
ust a
nd F
aith
in G
odFa
vori
tism
and
Jeal
ousy
Forg
iven
ess
Than
kful
ness
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Chur
ch S
easo
nsTh
e Bi
rth
of Je
sus
Sim
eon’
s W
ait
The
Wis
e M
enJo
hn th
e Ba
ptis
t, Ba
ptis
mJe
sus’
Bap
tism
and
Tem
ptat
ions
Vale
ntin
e’s
Day
Jesu
s’ P
arab
les:
The
Tax
Colle
ctor
and
the
Phar
isee
, The
Los
t She
ep,
The
Two
Sons
, Th
e Go
od S
amar
itan
Jesu
s’ M
irac
les
and
Jesu
s’ M
inis
try
Hol
y W
eek
Even
ts a
nd E
aste
rPe
ntec
ost S
unda
yPe
ter’s
Fir
st M
irac
le
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sPr
ayer
Givi
ng a
nd R
ecei
ving
Faith
, Pat
ienc
e an
d O
bedi
ence
God
Love
s Al
l of U
sJe
sus
Seek
s to
Sav
e th
e Lo
stSe
lf-Es
teem
and
Sha
ring
PRIM
ARY
2 (G
rade
2)
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Mos
es: B
irth
, Cal
l, Pa
ssov
er, a
nd E
xodu
sPr
ayer
Josh
ua: C
ross
ing
the
Jord
an R
iver
,Th
e Ba
ttle
of Je
rich
oD
avid
and
Gol
iath
The
Wis
dom
of K
ing
Solo
mon
Prop
hets
Elij
ah a
nd Jo
nah
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sLo
ve a
nd C
oura
geFe
ar a
nd E
xcus
esFa
ith in
God
Pray
erSe
lfish
ness
Than
kful
ness
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
Than
ksgi
ving
Chur
ch S
easo
nsBi
rth
of Je
sus,
“Am
os’s
Gift”
Flig
ht to
Egy
ptJe
sus’
Par
able
s:Th
e So
wer
, The
Ric
h M
an a
ndLa
zaru
s, T
he T
wo
Hou
se B
uild
ers,
The
Unm
erci
ful S
erva
ntZa
cche
us, V
alen
tine’
s D
ayPa
lm S
unda
y an
d th
e W
idow
’s M
iteTh
e La
st S
uppe
r an
d Ju
das’
Bet
raya
lAr
rest
and
Tri
al o
f Jes
usCr
ucifi
xion
, Bur
ial a
nd R
esur
rect
ion
Paul
’s Co
nver
sion
and
Min
istr
y
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sSh
arin
g, G
reed
, and
Wic
kedn
ess
Fair
ness
, For
give
ness
, and
Mer
cyBe
ing
Diff
eren
tM
oral
Res
pons
ibili
ty a
nd Je
alou
syFe
ar a
nd S
orro
wRe
surr
ectio
n an
d Ne
w L
ife
INTE
RMED
IATE
1 (
Grad
e 3)
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Crea
tion,
Ada
m a
nd E
veCa
in a
nd A
bel
Noah
’s Ar
k, T
ower
of B
abel
Pray
erBi
ble
Refe
renc
e Sk
ills
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sD
evel
opin
g a
Rela
tions
hip
with
God
Obe
dien
ce to
God
Pray
er in
Tim
e of
Cri
sis
Prid
e an
d Bo
astfu
lnes
s
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Than
ksgi
ving
and
Chu
rch
Seas
ons
Expe
ctat
ions
and
Bir
th o
f Jes
usTh
e Bo
y W
ho S
tole
the
Chri
stm
as S
tar
Jesu
s’ M
inis
try
Jesu
s’ L
ast D
ays,
Cru
cifix
ion,
Eas
ter
The
Hap
py P
rinc
e
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sGi
vers
and
Tak
ers
Attit
ude,
Mot
ivat
ion,
and
Ser
vice
Vict
ory
over
Sin
and
Dea
th
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
God
Calls
Abr
aham
and
Mak
es a
Pro
mis
eCa
rrie
rs o
f the
Pro
mis
e:Is
aac,
Jaco
b, a
nd Jo
seph
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Bib
lical
Tex
tRe
spon
ding
to G
od’s
Call
Jeal
ousy
Riva
lry
Just
ice
Forg
iven
ess
Favo
ritis
m a
nd R
econ
cilia
tion
Fair
ness
and
Lov
e
7
INTE
RMED
IATE
2 (
Grad
e 4)
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Revi
ew o
f Gen
esis
Sto
ries
Bibl
e Re
fere
nce
Skill
sM
oses
’ Bir
th, C
all,
Ret
urn
to E
gypt
The
Ten
Plag
ues
Pass
over
and
Esc
ape
from
Egy
pt
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Bib
lical
Tex
tCo
urag
eLe
ader
ship
Faith
and
Tru
st in
God
Riva
lry
betw
een
God
and
Phar
aoh
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
The
Lion
, the
Wit
ch a
nd th
e W
ardr
obe
Chur
ch S
easo
nsM
essi
anic
Pro
phec
ies
Jesu
s’ B
irth
The
Shoe
mak
er M
icha
elTh
e W
ise
Men
’s Vi
sit
Esca
pe to
Egy
ptJo
hn th
e Ba
ptis
t and
Jesu
s’ B
aptis
m
Jesu
s’ T
empt
atio
ns in
the
Wild
erne
ssD
isci
ples
hip
and
Opp
ositi
on to
Jesu
sH
ow M
uch
Land
Doe
s a
Pers
on N
eed?
Jesu
s’ M
inis
try,
Para
bles
, and
Mir
acle
sH
oly
Wee
k Ev
ents
and
Eas
ter
The
Oth
er W
ise
Man
Pray
er a
nd T
he L
ord’
s Pr
ayer
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sGo
od v
s. E
vil
Self-
Inte
rest
, Tru
th a
nd F
alse
hood
Frie
ndsh
ip, T
rust
, Mis
plac
ed T
rust
Betr
ayal
, Sin
, Rep
enta
nce,
For
give
ness
, and
Red
empt
ion
The
Inca
rnat
ion
and
the
Hol
y Tr
inity
Resu
rrec
tion
and
New
Life
Shar
ing,
Tem
ptat
ion,
Dis
cipl
eshi
p, G
reed
JUNI
OR
1 (G
rade
5)
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
Revi
ew o
f Mos
es th
roug
h th
e Ex
odus
The
Ten
Com
man
dmen
tsIs
rael
ites
in th
e W
ilder
ness
Josh
ua a
nd th
e In
vasi
on o
f Ca
naan
Judg
es: D
ebor
ah, G
ideo
n, a
nd S
amso
n
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Bib
lical
Tex
tFa
ithle
ssne
ss a
nd Id
olat
ryTr
ust a
nd L
ack
of T
rust
in G
odH
oly
War
Mea
ning
of t
he T
en C
omm
andm
ents
Sin,
Pun
ishm
ent,
Repe
ntan
ce, F
orgi
vene
ss, D
eliv
eran
ce
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Hop
e in
the
Mes
siah
The
Wis
e M
en’s
Visi
tPl
ay: T
he O
ther
Wis
e M
anCh
urch
Sea
sons
Revi
ew o
f Jes
us’ L
ife, M
inis
try,
Dea
th, a
nd R
esur
rect
ion
The
Grea
t Com
mis
sion
The
Earl
y Ch
urch
: Pet
er, S
teph
en, a
nd P
aul
Cleo
n M
akes
His
Cho
ice
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sBe
long
ing
Reje
ctio
nJu
stic
eSl
aver
y/Fr
eedo
mFe
arH
ope
and
Faith
Love
and
Hat
eFo
rgiv
enes
sRe
veng
eFr
eedo
m in
Jesu
s Ch
rist
Conv
ersi
on a
nd S
piri
tual
Tra
nsfo
rmat
ion
Brav
ery
and
Dis
cipl
eshi
p
JUNI
OR
2 (G
rade
6)
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
Ruth
Sam
uel:
Isra
el’s
Last
Judg
eCa
naan
ite v
s. Is
rael
ite C
ultu
reM
onar
chy
and
Succ
essi
on P
robl
ems
Caus
e fo
r th
e D
ivis
ion
of Is
rael
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Bib
lical
Tex
tLo
yalty
and
Lov
eAc
cept
ance
, Rej
ectio
n, a
nd R
epen
tanc
eGo
vern
men
t and
Rel
igio
nFa
ith a
nd W
isdo
mFr
iend
ship
and
Jeal
ousy
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Eliz
abet
h an
d Ze
char
iah
Birt
h of
Jesu
sA
Chri
stm
as C
arol
Chur
ch S
easo
nsJo
hn th
e Ba
ptis
tJe
sus’
Tem
ptat
ions
Jesu
s’ M
inis
try
and
Mes
sage
Jesu
s’ P
arab
les
and
Mir
acle
sJu
das’
Bet
raya
lH
oly
Wee
k Ev
ents
East
er a
nd Je
sus’
Res
urre
ctio
nD
ram
atic
Mon
olog
ues
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sJe
sus’
Mis
sion
to th
e Po
orLo
ve, C
ompa
ssio
n, C
onve
rsio
nFo
rgiv
enes
s an
d Jo
yGo
od v
s. E
vil
Dis
cipl
eshi
p an
d Ch
rist
ian
Resp
onsi
bilit
yCh
oice
s an
d D
ecis
ions
Eter
nity
and
Hum
an P
urpo
seFa
irne
ss a
nd G
od’s
Just
ice
Resu
rrec
tion
and
New
Life
Mus
tard
See
d Se
ries
®at
a G
lanc
e
8
SENI
ORS
1 (
Grad
e 7)
PRE-
CONF
IRM
ATIO
N 1
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Crea
tion
Stor
ies:
Bib
lical
/Mod
ern/
Scie
ntifi
cAd
am a
nd E
ve, C
ain
and
Abel
Noah
, Tow
er o
f Bab
elAb
raha
m, J
acob
, and
Jose
phEv
olut
ion
of th
e Bi
ble
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sSe
lf-Im
age,
Res
pons
ibili
tyTe
mpt
atio
n, S
in, a
nd G
uilt
Frat
rici
de/D
estr
uctio
n of
Fam
ilySi
n, C
rim
e, a
nd Ju
dgm
ent/P
unis
hmen
tH
uman
Arr
ogan
ceFa
ith a
nd T
rust
in G
odFa
vori
tism
, Jea
lous
y, an
d Ri
valr
yD
isho
nest
y ve
rsus
Just
ice
Forg
iven
ess
and
Reco
ncili
atio
n
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Chur
ch S
easo
nsO
verv
iew
of J
ewis
h H
isto
ryJo
hn th
e Ba
ptis
tIn
carn
atio
n, L
ife, M
inis
try,
Dea
th, a
nd R
esur
rect
ion
of Je
sus
Jesu
s’ P
arab
les
and
Mir
acle
sTh
e Lo
rd’s
Pray
erTh
e Gr
eat C
omm
issi
onTh
e Ap
ostle
s’ a
nd N
icen
e Cr
eeds
Zeffi
relli
’s Je
sus
of N
azar
eth
The
Trin
ity a
nd th
e At
onem
ent
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sTe
mpt
atio
n, F
orgi
vene
ss a
nd R
epen
tanc
eSa
cram
ents
Call
to D
isci
ples
hip
Suffe
ring
Ser
vant
Sens
itivi
ty to
the
Supe
rnat
ural
Pow
er Is
sues
, Unr
estr
aine
d Ev
ilBe
tray
al a
nd D
enia
lFu
lfillm
ent o
f Pro
phec
y
SENI
ORS
2 (
Grad
e 8)
PRE-
CONF
IRM
ATIO
N 2
OLD
TES
TAM
ENT
Revi
ew o
f the
Boo
k of
Gen
esis
Mos
es’ B
irth
, Esc
ape,
Cal
l, Re
turn
Mos
es’ L
eade
rshi
p an
d Ph
arao
h’s
Resi
stan
ceIs
rael
ites’
Esc
ape
from
Egy
pt, P
asso
ver
Com
plai
nts
in th
e W
ilder
ness
The
Ten
Com
man
dmen
ts, t
he G
olde
n Ca
lfIn
vasi
on o
f the
Pro
mis
ed L
and,
the
Book
of J
udge
sKi
ngs
Saul
, Dav
id, a
nd S
olom
onTh
e D
ivis
ion
of th
e Ki
ngdo
mCh
urch
Sea
sons
and
The
ir P
urpo
seTh
e Ri
se o
f Pro
phet
s an
d Th
eir
Purp
ose
Prop
hets
: Elij
ah, A
mos
, Hos
ea, I
saia
h, Je
rem
iah
Them
es D
evel
oped
from
Rea
ding
sEn
slav
emen
t and
Dep
riva
tion
Idol
atry
, Fea
r, An
xiet
y, Ex
cuse
sFa
ith, T
rust
, Com
mitm
ent
Faith
less
ness
/Pun
ishm
ent/
Repe
ntan
ce/D
eliv
eran
cePo
wer
Issu
es a
nd S
trug
gles
Reve
nge
and
Just
ice
NEW
TES
TAM
ENT
AND
REL
ATED
TO
PICS
Revi
ew o
f Jes
us’ M
inis
try,
Dea
th, a
nd R
esur
rect
ion
Fulfi
llmen
t of O
ld T
esta
men
t Pro
phec
ies
The
Book
of A
cts
and
Som
e Ep
istle
sTh
e Fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Ea
rly
Chur
chPr
oble
ms
Conf
ront
ing
the
Earl
y Ch
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LIVI
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esia
stes
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lms
and
Prov
erbs
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emia
h, Is
aiah
, Neh
emia
h, E
zra,
and
Jona
hM
acca
bees
and
Dan
iel
Job
The
Gosp
els
Gosp
el B
irth
Nar
rativ
esIn
carn
atio
n an
d Tr
inity
Use
of M
etap
hor,
Sign
, and
Sym
bol
Jesu
s’ M
essa
ge, M
inis
try,
Cruc
ifixi
on, a
nd R
esur
rect
ion
Jesu
s’ P
arab
les
and
Mir
acle
sSe
rmon
on
the
Mou
ntEp
istle
sM
eani
ng, I
nter
pret
atio
n, a
nd P
urpo
se o
f Scr
iptu
re
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es D
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oped
from
Rea
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sLi
fe’s
Cycl
es a
nd Q
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ions
:Va
nity
and
Toi
l, Li
fe A
part
from
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se P
roph
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tsSe
lf-Un
ders
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Ato
nem
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cipl
eshi
p, S
in a
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xpia
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Forg
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ess
and
Hea
ling
Life
and
Dea
th I
ssue
s:Cr
uelty
, Suf
feri
ng, P
erse
cutio
n, D
eath
Mar
tyrd
om, A
bort
ion,
Reb
ellio
n, E
ndin
gsEx
ile,
New
Beg
inni
ngs,
Idol
atry
Judg
men
t Day
, Sal
vatio
n, E
tern
al L
ifeD
espa
ir a
nd H
ope
Cultu
ral a
nd R
elig
ious
Con
flict
sNe
w V
isio
ns a
nd N
ew U
nder
stan
ding
s of
God
ADD
ITIO
NAL
STUD
IES
Pray
er, S
acra
men
ts, W
orsh
ip, S
tew
ards
hip
Chur
ch H
isto
ry fr
om 5
00 A
.D. t
o Pr
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tCh
rist
ian
Iden
tity,
Dis
cipl
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espo
nsib
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sCh
urch
Mem
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His
tory
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ch S
easo
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mpl
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th
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pro
gram
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etre
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Mus
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®at
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9
What We Hear from Users
We are extremely happy to have sucha coherent, challenging, well-struc-tured Sunday School Curriculum. Ourchildren are bringing home learnedconcepts for discussion with theirparents. The building-block approachof this Series is one of its greatstrengths.Linda Smith-ShearerSunday School Co-Superintendent Reformed Church of Bronxville, N.Y.
Incorporating classical literature like The Lion,
the Witch and the Wardrobe and the video Jesus
of Nazareth is a streak of brilliance. Why haven’t
other publishers been willing to try this?... Having
been burned in the past, our teachers said things
like, “These curriculum guides are all the same.
They are filled with activities that couldn’t possibly
work with our seventh graders.” Yet, after follow-
ing the Teacher’s Book, they began to say things
like, “I can’t believe it! This was written by some-
one who really knows kids! Everything works!”Chris Rygh
Director of Student Ministries
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa, WI
On Target …Innovative …
Currently, the fastest, long-term growth in membership is among churches that have excellent education programs
for children and adults. Children’s education involves family. Family involvement leads to committed members
and church growth.
Effective …We were users of your earlier version ofthe Mustard Seed Series®. This newSeries is a big improvement. It is welllaid out, much easier to use, and doesn’trequire as much preparation time. Yourreviews are good and help launch stu-dents into the lesson for the day. Becauseof your Series, our students are wellgrounded in the Bible and retain whatthey learn.
The Rev. Paul Elliot, ChaplainSt. Martin’s Episcopal SchoolAtlanta, GA
The new Mustard Seed Series® is an
improvement on an already excellent
Series. The student pages are interest-
ing and informative. And the activities
add variety and student involvement
without sacrificing the core curricu-
lum—the ultimate strength of the
Series. Kristen Poirier, DCE
Lebanon First Congregational
Lebanon, CT
10
Sample LessonsIn order for you to make an informed decision about this educa-tionally superior Sunday School curriculum, sample lessons fromTeacher and Student Books are included.
PagePrimary 1 (Grade 1) Teacher Book..................................11Primary 1 (Grade 1) Student Book. .................................13
Intermediate 1 (Grade 3) Teacher Book ..........................14Intermediate 1 (Grade 3) Student Book...........................16
Junior 1 (Grade 5) Teacher Book ....................................18Junior 1 (Grade 5) Student Book.....................................25
Seniors 1 (Grade 7) Teacher Book. .................................26Seniors 1 (Grade 7) Student Book ...................................30
Confirmation Teacher Book..............................................32Confirmation Student Book ..............................................37
What We Hear from Users
Rather than presenting
one-dimensional accounts of
God, biblical people, and past
events, the Mustard Seed Series®
allows the children to live inside
the biblical stories. Our faith
story is presented in such a way
that children’s understanding of
it grows with them. This Series
helps faith come alive for our
teachers and students.Tilden Bridges
Minister of Education
Northminster Baptist Church
Richmond, VA
Comprehensive …
This is the first curriculum I’ve seen in yearsthat has it all! The sense of continuity, theup-to-date biblical scholarship, the interestingpresentation of material and the “teacherfriendly” lesson plans make the Mustard SeedSeries® a pleasure to teach. Our teachers lovethe fact they are learning so much themselves,without having to go to other sources. Theinclusion of fine art and literature only adds tothe uniqueness of this curriculum. It is excitingto know that someone has finally figured outwhat both the teachers and students need tomake Christian Education come alive again!Dianne Brady, Former DCEPresbyterian Church of Chatham TownshipChatham, NJ
Graphic …
The children respond well to the stories
and enjoy the hands-on activities. There
are plenty of activities to choose from in
the curriculum. The Series is wonderful.
You don’t have to be a teacher to use it
or have a strong background in the
Bible. The text is self-explanatory. It
even tells you what materials to keep on
hand for projects and crafts.Diana Savory, DCE
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Bantam, CT
11
LessonIdentification
Easy to Use and Teacher Friendly Lessons
LUKE 18:9-14
True andFalse
Prayer
❝For everyonewho makes
himself greatwill be made
lowly in rank;and everyone
who assumes noairs will bemade greatbefore God.
❞ADAPTATION
OF LUKE 18:14
BACKGROUND READING
Read pages 9-11 and 160-162 of A Parent’s Guide to Prayer
ATTENDANCE AND SHARING
See Lesson One.
REVIEW
■ How did Valentine’s Day get started?■ Last week, who did we learn loves youand is your special friend?■ To whom did you give your Valentine?■ Did you do any other things that showedlove this past week?
■ Do you care to tell me about them?
CLASS PREPARATIONFOR TODAY’S LESSON
■ How many of you say your prayers?■ Do you think God hears your prayers?■ Do you tell God what is in your heart?■ Today I am going to tell you about twomen who went into the Temple to pray to God. While you listen to this story, askyourselves which man is really praying to God. Ready?
TODAY’S LESSON ANDDISCUSSION POSSIBILITIES■ Tell me what you think of the Pharisee? Of the tax collector?
■ Last week we talked about how importantchildren are to Jesus. He told his disci-ples that no one could enter God’sKingdom unless he or she became assmall and helpless as a child. Of thesetwo men, who do you think was morelike a child? Do you think he will enterGod’s kingdom?■ Jesus told us the story of the Pharisee andthe tax collector for a reason. Jesus want-ed us to learn what prayer is real andwhat prayer is false or untrue.
• Why do you think Jesus said God didnot accept the Pharisee’s prayer but didaccept the tax collector’s prayer?• The Pharisee’s prayer is false. He pretended he was talking to God, but he really was not. He wastalking out loud to himself so that he made himself seem important to all who heard him.• The tax collector prayed softly so only God could hear, “Please God, have pity on me, a sinner.” Why did God hear his prayer? (His prayer is sincere.)
• Do you know of anyone who acts as though he or she is better than otherpeople? Tell me how this personbehaves.• Do you think these people are doingGod’s work? What makes you think so?• Do any of you have any questions I maybe able to answer about prayer?
21
M A T E R I A L S
FOCUS
• True and False Prayer• The Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee
N E W T E S T A M E N T
91
• Student Books • Activity supplies
P R I M A R Y 1
N T 2 1
ScriptureReference
SymbolsRemindTeacher ofClassSegmentsandPurpose
Grade Level Identification Lesson Identification
Teacher’s Book is Wire-O-Bound for Ease of HandlingThirty-four (34) Complete Weekly Lesson Plans for the Year
MaterialsNeeded forthe Lesson
Quotationfor the
Day
Emphasis for Lesson
NE
W T
ES
TA
ME
NT
STUDENT BOOKS
■ Take from your Student’s Book page 41 entitled
“True Prayer.” What do you think this picture
tells us?
■ Turn to the back of this page. We have a page enti-
tled “My Prayers.” Let us read it together, and I will
help you fill in the blanks. Then we will use this
page for our prayer time.
ACTIVITY
■ Today we are going to make a prayer stole that we
will wear when we pray in class.
■ To make a prayer stole, cut pieces of felt into
60” x 6” lengths.
■ Trace the patterns of the dove, praying hands,
the cross, and the five-pointed star from this
page onto a template.
■ Have felt scraps for your children. Let them trace
these shapes from these templates onto these scraps.
■ Have them cut out their symbols and glue them
onto the lower parts of their prayer stole. Be sure
they glue their symbols on the same side. Perhaps
you can wear a sample shawl during this exercise.
■ Encourage your students to wear their prayer
stoles when they pray. You may want to keep
them in your classroom until the end of the
year for greater convenience.
CONCLUSION
■ Let us form a prayer circle.
■ Let the Student’s “My Prayers” sheets be your guide
for today’s prayers.
21
P R I M A R Y 1
N T 2 192
Jesus often told the crowds stories to teach them a lesson about God. One day he told a story about
two men who prayed in the Temple. Here is his story.
The Pharisee finished teaching his class. He dismissed them and rushed off to the Temple to pray. He
was a good man, even though he considered himself to be very important. He was a good father and
husband. He was good to his students. He did not cheat or hurt anyone—or at least he thought he did
not hurt anyone.
On his way to the Temple, he passed women, slaves, handicapped people, a tax collector, and Roman
soldiers. He did not like any of them. He did not think they were important enough for his time. He
thought he was better than they. He believed God cared only for the successful and important people,
such as himself.
When the Pharisee entered the Temple, he looked around and saw the hated tax collector who regu-
larly collected money from him. He wondered, “Why should this lowly character be in here praying? He
should be barred from the Temple. Surely God does not want to hear tax collectors’ prayers.”
The Pharisee also saw some of the chief priests and rich people in the Temple saying their prayers.
Now, they were his kind of people. The Pharisee wanted to impress them with his goodness. So he decid-
ed to say his prayers in a very loud voice so everyone could hear him. He said, “I thank you God that I
am not greedy, dishonest, and a sinner like everybody else. I thank you that I am not like that miserable
tax collector over there. You know, Lord, that I deny myself food and drink twice a week just for you. I
also give money to the Temple.”
After saying these words, the Pharisee looked around, saw that everyone heard him, and walked out
of the Temple.
Meanwhile, the tax collector stayed huddled in his corner out of sight of everyone. He knew he was a
sinner and wanted God to forgive him of his sins. He kept beating on his breast and saying, “God, have
pity on me, a sinner! God, have pity on me, a sinner!” The tax collector left the Temple with his head
bowed and his eyes fastened on the floor so he would not have to look at anyone.
After Jesus told this story of the tax collector and the Pharisee, he said, “The tax collector’s prayer
was heard by God. The Pharisee was talking to impress the crowd. He was not talking with God. God did
not hear his prayer because his prayer was false. I tell every one of you, God does not care about your
status and riches and how important you may be. Rather, God cares about what is in your heart.”
P R I M A R Y 1
N T 2 1
THE TAX COLLECTOR
AND THE PHARISEE
93
12
Easy to Use and Teacher Friendly Lessons
List of Materials Neededand Teacher Instructions
Prayer Time
Oversight of Student’s Books
Biblical Story inSimplifiedLanguage
13
Student Book Pages
P R I M A R Y 1
T rue Prayer
41
N E W T E S T A M E N T 2 1
“Please God, have pity on me, a sinner.”Luke 18:13
P R I M A R Y 1
When I pray,
I tell God how much I love God.
I tell God what my problems are. They are I ask God to help me and others.People who need help are
I thank God for the people who love me.People who love me are
I thank God for the gift of life found in
I thank God for the beauty in the world such as
I ask God for forgiveness of my sins.I tell God I am sorry for my sins.I ask God for help not to sin again.I tell God I will follow and obey the teachings of Jesus Christ.I say the Lord’s Prayer.
My Prayers
42
N E W T E S T A M E N T 2 1
A Note Home:Today your child learned about true and false prayer as demonstrated in the Parable of the Tax Collector and the
Pharisee (Luke 18: 9-14). You are encouraged to help your child develop his/her spiritual life. Please read pages 9-11,
160-162 in A Parent's Guide to Prayer so that you may be better able to answer any questions he/she may have on
prayer.
Parents areencouraged toreinforce thelesson and/orhelp keep theirabsent childrencurrent.