Welcome to DWELL Flex!
DWELL Flex is a multi-age edition of DWELL, created to adapt to a variety of contexts.
Sessions work with a wide range of ages in one classroom and in a wide variety of settings, including:
These sessions include four simple steps: Breathe, Tell and Wonder, Pray, and Respond—providing a simple way for anyone to lead a DWELL session with little advanced preparation. The first three years of this four-year curriculum are currently available, with year 4 to release in 2023. Each year includes 36 sessions arranged into six units, alternating between New Testament and Old Testament years. Sessions are arranged in rough chronological order, but can stand alone and be rearranged in any order.
Sessions work with a wide range of ages in one classroom and in a wide variety of settings, including:
- at church—when lower attendance requires you to combine children into a multi-age class.
- at home—share these easy sessions with families so they can explore them at home.
- by video—whether pre-recorded or live via video conference.
These sessions include four simple steps: Breathe, Tell and Wonder, Pray, and Respond—providing a simple way for anyone to lead a DWELL session with little advanced preparation. The first three years of this four-year curriculum are currently available, with year 4 to release in 2023. Each year includes 36 sessions arranged into six units, alternating between New Testament and Old Testament years. Sessions are arranged in rough chronological order, but can stand alone and be rearranged in any order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I need?
All you need is a subscription to DWELL Digital, which gives you and all your teachers access to all of DWELL’s leader materials on any device, at any time. Subscriptions start at only $150 per year per church, and the price is based on the number of children in your program. DWELL Flex sessions are downloadable, printable files that can be shared electronically with anyone and viewed from any kind of device. For details and information about how to sign up, see our DWELL Digital page.
We also recommend that you purchase one set of God’s Big Story cards for each leader; they will need those cards for the “Respond” step of each session. We also suggest ordering a set for each family in your program. And you will need access to a printer to print each session’s story symbol and the printable pages included in some of the Easy Extra options.
All you need is a subscription to DWELL Digital, which gives you and all your teachers access to all of DWELL’s leader materials on any device, at any time. Subscriptions start at only $150 per year per church, and the price is based on the number of children in your program. DWELL Flex sessions are downloadable, printable files that can be shared electronically with anyone and viewed from any kind of device. For details and information about how to sign up, see our DWELL Digital page.
We also recommend that you purchase one set of God’s Big Story cards for each leader; they will need those cards for the “Respond” step of each session. We also suggest ordering a set for each family in your program. And you will need access to a printer to print each session’s story symbol and the printable pages included in some of the Easy Extra options.
How does DWELL help me partner with parents?
Every DWELL Flex session includes a family resource with the session’s story symbol, the Scripture reference, and a simple conversation prompt. This resource can be shared via social media and/or sent home as a printable page pointing families to the corresponding card in the God's Big Story cards set (order one per household) as a reminder to engage in that week’s story together. Check out three simple ways you can help families form faith at home with Flex Family Resources.
DWELL also includes a variety of free resources designed to encourage and equip families as they nurture faith at home. Rather than adding yet another to-do item to busy lives, these resources can be seamlessly woven into the daily and weekly rhythms of any family. For more information check out the DWELL at Home page.
Every DWELL Flex session includes a family resource with the session’s story symbol, the Scripture reference, and a simple conversation prompt. This resource can be shared via social media and/or sent home as a printable page pointing families to the corresponding card in the God's Big Story cards set (order one per household) as a reminder to engage in that week’s story together. Check out three simple ways you can help families form faith at home with Flex Family Resources.
DWELL also includes a variety of free resources designed to encourage and equip families as they nurture faith at home. Rather than adding yet another to-do item to busy lives, these resources can be seamlessly woven into the daily and weekly rhythms of any family. For more information check out the DWELL at Home page.
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What stories are included in DWELL Flex?
You can view all of the published DWELL Flex sessions in the Scope and Sequence. Year 3 has now been released and includes the following stories:
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What are “story symbols”?
Each Bible story in DWELL has its own story symbol (Year 1 Story Symbol Set). By providing kids with a pictorial timeline, these symbols help them see how all God’s stories fit together to form one big story.
During the sessions you’ll use the story symbols to wonder about each story. If you’re meeting in person, here are some suggestions for displaying your story symbols:
Story symbols are also helpful for reviewing what you’ve learned together. Show the symbols from previous weeks as you review the stories. Or shuffle the symbols together and pull a random one each week to see if the children can recall the story it represents.
Each Bible story in DWELL has its own story symbol (Year 1 Story Symbol Set). By providing kids with a pictorial timeline, these symbols help them see how all God’s stories fit together to form one big story.
During the sessions you’ll use the story symbols to wonder about each story. If you’re meeting in person, here are some suggestions for displaying your story symbols:
- hang up a new one each week to form a border that runs along the wall
- attach each new symbol to form a “patchwork quilt” on the wall
- clip symbols to a “clothesline” that runs along one wall.
Story symbols are also helpful for reviewing what you’ve learned together. Show the symbols from previous weeks as you review the stories. Or shuffle the symbols together and pull a random one each week to see if the children can recall the story it represents.
What are “wondering questions”?
Wondering questions invite learners to DWELL in God’s story as they consider the people in the story, the choices they made, and how God was at work in their lives. They aren’t a test—in fact, they have no right or wrong answers! The wondering questions in every session let you pause and reflect on God’s story longer, allowing it to take root and grow faith. Depending on the ages and attention span of your particular group, you may want to pause and wonder during the storytelling or wait until after the story is finished to ask the wondering questions. And be sure to ask what the kids wonder about too!
Wondering questions invite learners to DWELL in God’s story as they consider the people in the story, the choices they made, and how God was at work in their lives. They aren’t a test—in fact, they have no right or wrong answers! The wondering questions in every session let you pause and reflect on God’s story longer, allowing it to take root and grow faith. Depending on the ages and attention span of your particular group, you may want to pause and wonder during the storytelling or wait until after the story is finished to ask the wondering questions. And be sure to ask what the kids wonder about too!
Why are we doing Christmas in the fall?
The beginning of the first year of DWELL Flex sessions cover Jesus' birth and other stories that are traditionally told throughout the Christmas season. This may seem unusual, but many DWELL leaders find that these stories take on new meaning and life when told outside the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.
Those who prefer to save these stories for the Christmas season could start at Session #5, Jesus in the Temple, and come back to the first four sessions in the month of December. DWELL Flex sessions are stand-alone, so you can move through them in whatever order works best for you!
The beginning of the first year of DWELL Flex sessions cover Jesus' birth and other stories that are traditionally told throughout the Christmas season. This may seem unusual, but many DWELL leaders find that these stories take on new meaning and life when told outside the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.
Those who prefer to save these stories for the Christmas season could start at Session #5, Jesus in the Temple, and come back to the first four sessions in the month of December. DWELL Flex sessions are stand-alone, so you can move through them in whatever order works best for you!
How do I tell stories in a way that connects with kids?
Kids and young teens know the difference between a story told from the page and one that’s told from the heart. The best way for you to prepare is by reading the story out loud several times at home. (Try doing so once a day for the week leading up to your session—you’ll be amazed at the results.) When you tell a story we’ve provided, keep it nearby as a reference but aim to know your story well enough that you can make eye contact with your audience and use your voice and face to express emotion. Each session will also provide you with ideas for involving the members of your group in sharing the story.
Kids and young teens know the difference between a story told from the page and one that’s told from the heart. The best way for you to prepare is by reading the story out loud several times at home. (Try doing so once a day for the week leading up to your session—you’ll be amazed at the results.) When you tell a story we’ve provided, keep it nearby as a reference but aim to know your story well enough that you can make eye contact with your audience and use your voice and face to express emotion. Each session will also provide you with ideas for involving the members of your group in sharing the story.
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