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 5^th grade, they should know the following:

• The location of all books of the Bible
• How to identify and locate key passages: Ten Commandments, Narratives about Jesus, Lord's Prayer, Beatitudes
• Be able to give information about: Adam, Joseph, Samuel, Jeremiah, Noah, Moses, Saul, John the Baptist, Abraham, Miriam, David, Jesus, Isaac, Sarah, Solomon, 12 Apostles, Jacob, Ruth, Isaiah, Paul
• How to place the following on a timeline in chronological order: Creation, flood, wanderings of patriarchs/matriarchs, slavery in Egypt, Exodus, Giving of Ten Commandments, settlement in Canaan, rule of judges, time of kings, Exile, Return to Jerusalem, birth of Jesus, crucifixion and resurrection, Pentecost, Beginning of the Christian church
• The stories, chronologically, of the Christmas events, life of Jesus, crucifixion-resurrection, Pentecost
• How to classify the major biblical characters as: patriarch/matriarch, judge, king, prophet, disciple
• How to use a Bible Dictionary and Atlas
• The Seasons of the Church Year
• About other styles of worship (Roman Catholic, Jewish, etc.)
• That God cares about good stewardship and that our money is given to the Church to help others

SCRIPTURE:

• Joshua 24:14-15
• The Beatitudes
• Psalm 23
• Acts 1:8 (But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit…)