Celebrating

Three stories from the Old Testament make up this unit. They come from three different periods of the history of God’s people. The story of Miriam occurs after Moses leads God’s people from slavery in Egypt and they have crossed the Reed Sea, safe at last. Miriam, the sister of Moses and also a leader of the people, celebrates leading the women in praising God through dance and song. Many generations later, King David retrieves the Ark of the Covenant, where God’s words in the Ten Commandments are held. As it enters, everyone in Jerusalem—man, woman, and child—celebrates with music and dancing. Then Solomon, King David’s son, has built the temple to God where God’s people will worship God. When the temple is dedicated to God, the whole population rejoices, praising God, and another celebratory feast is held.

Stories included in this unit:

• Miriam at the Reed Sea (Exodus 15:20–21)
• Taking Special Care (2 Samuel 6:1–22)
• Solomon Builds the Temple (1 Kings 6:1–38, 8:1–62)

Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum invites children and their leaders to wonder, play, and connect with one another as they develop a better relationship with God. By exploring the stories in Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible, children and their leaders learn more about who God is and what their relationship is with God. This curriculum has 35 units filled with 148 stories from the story Bible that dive deep into characters and themes in the Bible. Children and their leader will read the story together from the story Bible, pause to allow the story to resonate, and then engage with the story and wrestle with their place in that story.

Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum is written for ages 5–10 and is intentionally multiage, meaning that children are all grouped together. Grouping children this way brings a relational focus to the sessions and fosters a collaborative spirit. The curriculum also includes an intergenerational component with four suggestions for intergenerational and home ideas for each session within a unit. Those ideas include suggestions for things to do in worship, more education-focused ideas, ways to connect with one another, and mission ideas. This adds another dimension to learning and helps the children connect to the congregation, creating a holistic approach to children’s ministry.