LifeWay updates resources for technical times

The Great Commission is full of action words placed in just the right order. The disciples couldn’t make, baptize and teach new disciples to obey until they first walked down the mountain.
LifeWay now assists Sunday School members in taking that same walk.
   
Sunday School exists to fulfill the Great Commission. It’s everyday life — more than one hour, one day a week. Churches recognize that everyday life doesn’t always reside on mountaintops.
   
“LifeWay is pleased (with its) new cutting edge Sunday School curriculum line that begins on the mountain but doesn’t stop as you begin your journey down where life starts,” said Gene Mims, vice president, LifeWay Church Resources.
   
The student curriculum from LifeWay is designed to meet the needs of all churches, regardless of the size. Creating a dynamic childhood Sunday School program — one that is fun, exciting and develops Christian faith — is a challenge, according to Sunday School leaders. 
   
The challenge is rewarded, however, when children discover God’s Word for themselves, with the ultimate goal being to create a lasting friendship with Jesus Christ.
   
“At LifeWay Christian Resources, we do a lot of listening and learning from our customers. Through age group ‘think tanks,’ writers conferences, personal visits to church and our outbound call center, we are able to talk to hundreds of churches on a monthly basis,” said Norma J. Goldman, director of customer interaction strategies. “At a time when other publishers are cutting back, LifeWay is being very aggressive in introducing two new adult lines — MasterWork and Life Connections and the children’s resource G-force.”
   
The presence of computers in the classroom is one of the latest technologies LifeWay is accommodating, believing it must change with the times. More audiovisual equipment is being offered, and DVDs are now replacing CD-ROMs.
   
Two new curricula were launched in the fall of 2003, including life messages by Chuck Swindoll and Beth Moore.
   
LifeWay is also encouraging cell groups of five or more people to meet in homes. These groups connect people to one another, build community and provide an opportunity to fellowship.
   
“We are a big supporter of the LifeWay materials,” said Chuck Ashley, minster of adults at First Baptist Church, Montgomery. “We want to know what our teachers are teaching. Using the LifeWay curriculum provides us a solid Bible study with a lot of Scripture usage.”
   
Teachers go through a nine-week training course, including an introduction to the Old Testament and New Testament, what the church believes, lesson preparation, methodology, communications and teaching to serve.
   
“We also have our spiritual gifts inventory computerized to fit each person into his or her niche. We study the Bible to become obedient stewards of God’s Word,” Ashley said.
   
First Baptist, Montgomery, provides a curriculum from preschool to adulthood through Family Bible Study and Exploring the Bible.
   
One thing stressed is family Bible study time during the week. Through this curriculum, preschool through adulthood are using the same material so it can be discussed at home.
   
“Our goal is to win people to the Lord and motivate people to serve. The beauty of our curriculum is that it promotes open Bible study and makes visitors feel comfortable,” Ashley said.
   
Gary Harvey, minister of maturity, First Baptist Church, Trussville, uses LifeWay curriculum.
   
Harvey said that even though the LifeWay curriculum provides a foundation for teaching and caring, it prods Sunday School members in a slightly different way now.
   
“It’s all about the Kingdom, and Sunday School is the foundation,” he said.