Third Presbyterian Church
Church School Handbook

Guidelines For Faith Development

The following guidelines have been developed by Children's Ministry Sub-committee as markers for the faith development of our children. It is our hope that parents will review these guidelines and talk to their children about their learning experiences in our Church school. Awareness of these principles, understanding of certain Bible passages, name recognition of Biblical leaders, and familiarity with our worship practices are cornerstones in the development of Christian faith. With that thought in mind, we have identified what it is that we want our children to know as they progress through each grade.

By the time children have completed 4^th grade, they should know the following:

• The Ten Commandments
• The three persons in the Trinity
• The Creation Story – order of creation
• Sanctuary and worship vocabulary : (i.e., pulpit, pew, narthex, chancel, communion table, font)
• Basic knowledge of major events and some of Jesus' teachings: Birth, Teachings, Healings, Relationships with other people
• Stories of Old Testament Characters: (i.e., Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, Joseph, Moses, Miriam, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon)
• Bible skills: How to locate the Old and New Testaments, Genesis, Psalms, all four gospels, the books of the Bible in order, how to read a Bible reference (book, chapter, verse)
• How to compose prayers
• The names of the pastors at Third Church
• Ways their offerings are used at Third Church and in the community
• Ways they can be involved in worship

SCRIPTURE:

• Psalm 19:1,23, 46
• Matthew 25:40 (As you did it to the least of these…)
• Matthew 28:16-20 (Great Commission)
• Luke 12:48 ("For to whom much is given, much is required.")
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (Words of Institution)