 Growing Kids God's Way Leader's Guide Update
Soon after the release of Growing Kids God’s Way parenting videos (1988), a number of Christian educators, and Pastors, told us they needed a resource that could help maximize the teaching empahasis of the curriculum. Since that time to the present, the Growing Kids God’s Way Leader’s Guide has faithfully served that purpose.
Our newest edition (August 2008) represents a considerable advancement on the earlier works and contains numerous tools and resources to help class facilitators maximize their time and relational investment. With this workbook in hand, we trust every leader-couple will find their mentoring experience richer and more meaningful as they serve other parents with a life giving message. In terms of content, the Leader’s Guide parallels the Growing Kids God’s Way student text, page for page. The Leader’s section is located at the end of each chapter, highlighted by the gray side tabs. We also designed this resource to interact closely with the “GFI Leader’s Place” found on the www.GrowingKids.org website. We will speak more about the inter-connection between the website resources and this Leader’s Guide on the following pages.
What this Leader’s Guide Contains Chapter by Chapter
1. Growing Kids God’s Way Chapter Outlines with answers filled in
2. Video Run Times
3. Answers to the Questions for Review
4. Key Principles in Review
5. Possible Discussion Topics
6. Scripture References for each chapter
7. Leader’s Notes and helpful suggestions to reinforce Key principles from selected chapters
From the list above we wish to highlight items four, five and seven. First, the Key Principles of each chapter are useful only to the extent that a class facilitator is familiar with them. Many of our seasoned leaders read through each section with a colorful highlighter, marking the key thoughts within the principles listed. By doing this, leaders help themselves in two ways: First, it aids familiarity with the concepts which fosters a greater sense of confidence for you and your students. Second, the highlighted section provides a quick visual reference during class discussion times when searching for a specific thought or principle from the chapter.
Concerning item five above, one primary objective of successful leadership mentoring is to help parents transition from book knowledge to home and heart application. Examples of how a principle might be applied day to day come from the “Possible Discussion Topics”. These questions provide class members opportunities to interact with the key principles of each teaching session. The discussion questions provided are not exhaustive but are there to help start meaningful conversation.
Educators have long known the more students talk about precepts learned, the more likely they are to appropriate the lessons. We invite leaders to add their personal family experiences to what is in the workbook. In several chapters we placed “Leader’s Notes” comments, (number seven above) at the end of the “Possible Discussion Topics.” These are suggestions and additional teaching ideas directed to you, the class facilitator, from the team assembling this Leader’s Guide. We believe the new Growing Kids Leader’s Guide will benefit you leadership experience and enhance the learning curve of your participating parents. Please enjoy. |
