Make Your Curriculum Work for You Become a Master Tweaker!

Become a Master Tweaker!     

In my early day of doing Children's Ministry I had the misconception that I was somehow less of a children's pastor if I used other people's curriculums. Maybe it was a pride thing or a misconception that God needed to give me something fresh and new each week if I were to do kid's ministry well. Whatever the reason I finally "got over it"! Don't get me wrong, I still love to grab an idea and go all out writing as God brings me ideas but I also love so many of the amazing curriculums out there. Sometimes, as a busy mother of five and a Children's Pastor published lessons are a real God send! IF I still let God inspire my use of them they can be fantastic. Remember, no lesson should ever look like a perfect replica of what is published.

Every curriculum should be our tool not our final lesson! Use the lesson as your outline and then fill in the details. Some games, songs, object lessons, and skits are just not meant for the children you minister to so don't be afraid to tweak them as little or as much as you need to meet your groups needs. For example, if you minister in an inner city area and the curriculum calls for a skit "down on the farm" you know it will not relate to your class. Do a little rewrite of the skit to change the setting to a city park. Games are a part of many lessons but some may require a lot of items that do not fit your budget. Change the game or find a game to replace it. If a lesson has a snack but this is not a part of your service simply cut it out. Curriculums usually give you more than what you need so choose wisely and make the curriculum your own. It will take a little creativity but the end results will be a lesson catered for you and the children you minister to. The best teacher isn't afraid to tweak, tweak and tweak some more!