Elementary

“Pillars and Prayer” represent two ways of guiding young hearts that must always remain together. Pillars represent foundational truth. Prayer represents relational reconciliation.

Pillars

First and Second Grade: Foundational Season

This is a season where young hearts are growing in understanding foundational truth regarding the Christian faith. While the curriculum in all five grades can be seen as foundational, the specific focus of these two tend to lean toward the most basic elements of the faith. In this case, they are indeed foundational and are purposefully placed.

First Grade Emphasis:

“J” … Joy is found in knowing God in his Word

Second Grade Emphasis:

“E” … Exalt/Lift up God from Your Heart

Third and Fourth Grade: Transition Season

This season looks different than the foundation season, but in many cases the children have not yet reached the ability for ownership of the faith. Therefore, the title “transition” is quite intentional. The curriculum in these two grades is similar and is meant to be. They are meant to teach the same thing over the span of two years, but in different ways. They are complementary.

Third Grade Emphasis:

“S” … Salvation is from the LORD

Fourth Grade Emphasis:

“U” … Unsearchable and Unfathomable is the wealth of wisdom found in God’s plan of redemption and in all of God’s ways

Fifth Grade: Ownership Season

This season represents a place where many children are responsible for receiving the Gospel - for believing in God, His Son Jesus, and His truth. Therefore, the aggressive nature of the curriculum is perfectly placed to call these children to a place where God enables them to respond in agreement of His truth, repentance, and belief.

Fifth Grade Empasis:

“S” … Salvation and Sanctification: Do you understand and are these yours?

Prayer

Prayer in the classroom is seen as strategic to spiritual growth as teaching God’s Word. It is a response to God that is guided by truthful teaching from God’s Word. It includes three themes:

  • Growth in yearning to know God: Prayers of Intimacy
  • Growth in developing a discipline that opens a heart to the Holy Spirit and His work
  • Growth in embracing our dependence upon God as we ask Him for all things

Special Events

Summer Days

A week-long event designed for children during the summer. Each year it has a different theme, but in all years the overriding truth is that God is irresistibly drawing young hearts to Himself. This is a relational event in that while there is teaching time, it largely rests on small groups where small group teams lead children in play, eating, praying and talking.

Elementary Sunday School

There are five primary pillars of truth that give direction to all the teaching and content in all five grades (1-5) and they are designed to match the three distinct seasons of spiritual understanding and growth; the seasons of Foundation, Transition and Ownership. These pillars of truth, combined with prayer, create the foundation of our teaching ministry as they are covered in a context of love.