01. Introduction
I used to teach science at a Christian school that bordered a thickly wooded area. Every Friday, my classes and I would head outside to explore God’s world. Together, we would quietly roam, examine, journal, and wonder about creation. By the time we were a few weeks into each year, we had created a spiritual habit of outdoor contemplation.
Sometimes, I would have something specific to show the students. For example, we might gather around a thick bed of moss because we’d been studying bryophytes. The students would run their fingers over the spongey plant, marveling at the delicate stalks that were suddenly more intriguing now that their purpose had been discovered in class. As you might guess, being with nature was a different learning experience than reading, taking notes, or watching videos. It was immersive, and I like to imagine God laughing in joy as we soaked in the world He made for us.
Lacy Finn Borgo’s Life with God for Children is another kind of immersive experience. Encountering the resource for the first time feels a bit like stumbling on a treasure for those looking to holistically present God’s truth to children. As Borgo moves students through Scripture, teaching God’s stories of creation, redemption, and restoration, she surrounds them with experiences that “foster and feed the relationship that already exists between a child and God.”Lacy Finn Borgo, Life with God for Children: Engaging Biblical Stories and Practices for Spiritual Formation, “Introduction,” September 1, 2013, https://conversatio.org/life-with-god-for-children/#sec_01. She invites students to move from passive to active learning as they are given guidance and space to encounter Jesus.
This series of articles will examine Life with God for Children and explore how to use it in various settings: the home, church, Christian schools, and special events. However, it seems fitting that for a curriculum that, at its core, is about developing a life with God, we should first discuss how this resource can shape those who teach it. As Borgo states in the introduction of her curriculum,
If we are going to accompany children in their life with God, we will need to have an active life with God. It is like trying to serve a gourmet dinner and refusing to taste it. We are co-pilgrims with these folks who teach us patience, kindness, and childlike abandon to the Father. They are good at it, and we have much to learn.Lacy Finn Borgo, Life with God for Children, “Introduction.”
Thus, in this first guide, we will begin not with the children but with ourselves by experiencing the curriculum first-hand. Doing so will allow you to lead from experience and as a co-learner. In the following section, I have provided two sample exercises. Choose the one that best aligns with the age group you are teaching. Both are examples of how to prepare a lesson for children through whole-person engagement in Borgo’s resource. I recommend that your preparation happen in three parts: (1) Lesson planning, (2) Lesson Engagement, and (3) Lesson Application.
In addition to the curriculum, you need The Life with God Bible,Life with God Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Richard J. Foster, ed. (New York: Harper Bibles, 2009). and if you are teaching children ages PreK-2nd grade, you will also need a copy of The Beginner’s Bible.The. Beginner’s Bible: Timeless Children’s Stories (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) I also found having a dedicated journal for notes, thoughts, and prayers helpful. Finally, be sure to read Borgo’s complete Introduction at the beginning of your curriculum download. She lists other materials you will frequently use to teach the lessons there.
Part 1: During lesson planning, read through the lesson for information. This is the type of planning most teachers are accustomed to doing. Familiarize yourself with the overall structure of the lesson (which remains the same week-to-week), decide on and gather supplies, and carefully read the Scripture passage (and Bible story if applicable) and related content from the Life with God Bible. Ensure you have a solid overview of the main points of the lesson.
Part 2: Lesson engagement should be completed as a personal exercise at a time when you will not be rushed and have access to a quiet place. I recommend giving yourself approximately 45 minutes for this step. The purpose of this time is not to acquire information but to meet with God. Recognize that He is just as interested in growing you through this process as He is in growing the children.
Part 3: You will do a final review in the lesson application phase. Use your journal to thoughtfully pray about what the Holy Spirit is teaching you. Seek to discern what is only for you and what He is leading you to include in your teaching. Finish by making sure you are ready to teach.
02. Sample Lesson Preparation for Grades PreK & K Lesson 5: Abraham Submits to Lot
Part 1: Lesson Planning
- If this is your first time teaching this resource, read Lacy Finn Borgo’s curriculum Introduction. It will provide an overview of the unique characteristics.
- Read the entire lesson on pages 41–44.
- Study the “Background Notes for Teachers” in The Life with God Bible. For this lesson, you will read “The People of God Become a Family” on pages 7–11 and “Abraham: Sacrificial Submission” on page 37.
- Consider the paragraph beneath the Background Notes for Teachers and the Focus Verse, which point to the overarching lesson theme and key points.
- Read the Bible story “A New Home” from The Beginner’s Bible on pages 39–45.
- Review this week’s recommended Response Centers in the Do section. Ensure that you have all the needed supplies for the Essential Response Centers. Decide which Optional Response Centers you will make available and gather the necessary materials. (The Essential Response Centers are created before Lesson 1 and should only need occasional refreshing. Occasionally change the Optional Response Centers to pique interest and increase engagement.)
- Review this week’s recommended song. Ensure that you are ready to lead to it and pull together the music.
Part 2: Lesson Engagement
Center Down: Prepare your mind and heart with Center Down (p. 49). In a quiet place, begin with worshipful music. Remove your shoes and pray.
Prayer Time: Ask God to help you connect with Him and make you receptive to what He has for you. You can always move through “The Lord’s Prayer” during this time. Then, pray as you will when you meet with the children. Use the second paragraph in this section as a guide for prayer and silence.
Connect: If you taught last week’s lesson, reflect on what you and the children learned.
Focus Verse & Learn: Read Genesis 13:8. Use The Life with God Bible to see where that verse fits into God’s story. Read the broader section formationally. (In this case, you will read “Genesis 13: Abram and Lot Separate.”) I recommend using the Lectio Divina model whenever possible for this step. If you are unfamiliar with this ancient form of reading Scripture, see the “Lectio Divina” article from the Martin Institute.“Lecto Divina,” The Martin Institute, accessed March 28, 2024, http://conversatio.org/lectio-divina/.
Do: Instead of utilizing the Centers, choose an activity that helps you reflect with God. For example, you may want to take a short walk, draw, journal, or meditate on Scripture. Ideally, this time will involve returning to the passage (especially the Focus Verse) to ask the Lord how He wants you to apply the truth He is teaching you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make you abundantly aware of how and where He is working in and around you.
Sing: End with a hymn or worship song.
Part 3: Lesson Application
- Reread this week’s Focus Verse.
- Review the paragraph beneath the Background Notes for Teachers:
You will notice that throughout this lesson, we say over and over again that God is good and will take care of us. The truth of the matter for children and adults is that unless we believe this, we won’t ever submit to anyone, God or each other. We must trust that God is good, to let go of control. Ultimately, Abraham trusted God down to his very core. It is never too early or late to trust in God.Lacy Finn Borgo, Life with God for Children, 41.
- Consider the words of this paragraph personally. Ask questions like, “Do I trust that God is good?” and “Where do I need to surrender control?” Respond in prayer.
- Ask God to help you engage with Him and the children as you teach. Pray that the Holy Spirit will use your words to encourage the children to trust God with their whole lives as they increasingly surrender to Him. Say each child’s name as you pray for them.
- Review your notes from Parts 1 and 2. Thank God for how He is teaching you, along with the children.
- Ensure you have everything prepared for the lesson so you can enter your time with the children from a place of peace, joy, and rest.
03. Sample Lesson Preparation for Grades 3 to 4 Lesson 43: John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Part 1: Lesson Planning
- If this is your first time teaching this resource, read Lacy Finn Borgo’s curriculum Introduction. It will provide an overview of the unique characteristics.
- Read the entire lesson on pages 227–230.
- Study the Background Notes for Teachers in The Life with God Bible. You will read “John the Baptist: Sacrificially Submitted” on pages 65–66 of the New Testament for this lesson. Then, read the week’s Scripture passage: Luke 3:1–20.
- Thoughtfully consider the Focus Verse and the Alternate Focus Verse. After you finish your preparation, you will decide which you will use as the children’s verse of the week.
- Read the verses mentioned in Learn. Answer the questions.
- As you review the DO section, consider what you might share from your own experiences with Solitude. It’s ok to change your mind later, but it’s good to start thinking of stories from your life that the children will find interesting and relatable.
- Create a sample set of cards to show the children if you plan to do the Extension. Think about the interests and needs of the kids in your class as you gather supplies for this activity. For example, do you have a child with learning challenges? If so, would it be helpful if you printed out the verses so they can be glued to the cards instead of needing to be written? Do you have a particularly crafty group? If so, would they enjoy adding embellishments to their cards (stickers, fabric, ribbon, etc.)?
- Review this week’s recommended song. Ensure that you are ready to lead to it and pull together the necessary music.
Part 2: Lesson Engagement
Center Down: Prepare your mind and heart with Center Down (p. 219). In a quiet place, begin with worshipful music. Remove your shoes and pray.
Prayer Time: Ask God to help you connect with Him and make you receptive to what He has for you. You can always incorporate moving through “The Lord’s Prayer” during this time. Then, pray just as you will when you meet with the children. Use the second paragraph in this section as a guide for prayer and silence.
Connect: If you taught last week’s lesson, reflect on what you and the children learned.
Focus Verse & Learn: Read Luke 3:1–20. Read this section slowly and formationally. I recommend using the Lectio Divina model. If you are unfamiliar with this ancient form of reading Scripture, see the “Lectio Divina” article from the Martin Institute.“Lecto Divina,” The Martin Institute, accessed March 28, 2024, http://conversatio.org/lectio-divina/.
Do: This week’s spiritual discipline focus is “Solitude.” Choose a solitary activity to help you reflect on this week’s reading with God. For example, you may want to take a walk, draw, journal, or meditate on Scripture. Ideally, this time will involve returning to the passage (especially the Focus Verse) to ask the Lord how He wants you to apply the truth He is teaching you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make you abundantly aware of how and where He is working in and around you.
Part 3: Lesson Application
- Reread this week’s Focus Verse and Alternate Focus Verse. Decide which one you will use as the foundation for this week’s lesson.
- Review Listen and Learn to ensure you are prepared to highlight this lesson’s overarching theme.
- Ask God to help you engage with Him and the children as you teach. Pray that the Holy Spirit will use your words to encourage the children to trust God with their whole lives as they increasingly surrender to Him. Say each child’s name as you pray for them.
- Review your notes from Parts 1 and 2. Thank God for how He is teaching you, along with the children.
- Ensure you have everything prepared for the lesson so you can enter your time with the children from a place of peace, joy, and rest.
Life with God for Children was created to be taught from a co-pilgrim perspective. As I walked with my science students through the land behind our school, I was able to share my favorite places with them because I had been there before. I led them to fascinating “nature nooks,” where we examined mushrooms, insects, wild ferns, and honeysuckles. But on my better days, I wondered and explored with my students, engaging not only as a teacher who has been there before but also as a fellow student and child of our Heavenly Father. I hope that by first exploring this curriculum as a participant, you will be better prepared to fully delight in all God has for you and the children.