Welcome to DWELL Flex!
DWELL Flex is a new edition of DWELL, built specifically for the challenges and changes many churches are facing right now.
DWELL Flex is . . . flexible! The 36 adapted New Testament sessions, listed below, work with a wide range of ages 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. Starting with Jesus’ birth, the sessions move through the New Testament in a rough chronological order, but as each session is stand-alone, you can use through them in whatever order works for your unique situation. View the full list of stories below, check out a sample here, or view the first twelve sessions on DWELL Digital (subscription required).
Here are some questions and answers you might find helpful when using DWELL Flex.
DWELL Flex is . . . flexible! The 36 adapted New Testament sessions, listed below, work with a wide range of ages and in a wide variety of settings, including:
- by video—whether pre-recorded or live via video conference.
- at church—when lower attendance requires you to combine into a multi-age class.
- at home—share these easy sessions with families so they can explore them at home.
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. Starting with Jesus’ birth, the sessions move through the New Testament in a rough chronological order, but as each session is stand-alone, you can use through them in whatever order works for your unique situation. View the full list of stories below, check out a sample here, or view the first twelve sessions on DWELL Digital (subscription required).
Here are some questions and answers you might find helpful when using DWELL Flex.
What will I need?
We’ve designed DWELL Flex to require no materials. All you need is a subscription to DWELL Digital, which gives you access to all of DWELL’s leader materials on any device at any time. Subscriptions start at only $150 per year per church, for non-CRCs. 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.
Although not required, we also recommend that you purchase one set of God’s Big Story cards for each family or leader using these sessions, so they can refer to those cards in the “Respond” step of each session.
If you decide to include the Easy Extra option in your session, you may need access to a printer. These additional activities are not things that you have to include when leading the session. You will also need a printer if you want to print out the story symbols.
We’ve designed DWELL Flex to require no materials. All you need is a subscription to DWELL Digital, which gives you access to all of DWELL’s leader materials on any device at any time. Subscriptions start at only $150 per year per church, for non-CRCs. 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.
Although not required, we also recommend that you purchase one set of God’s Big Story cards for each family or leader using these sessions, so they can refer to those cards in the “Respond” step of each session.
If you decide to include the Easy Extra option in your session, you may need access to a printer. These additional activities are not things that you have to include when leading the session. You will also need a printer if you want to print out the story symbols.
Why are we doing Christmas in the fall?
The first 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 first 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!
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Jesus’ Early Life
1. The Birth of John the Baptist 2. The Angel’s Message to Mary 3. Jesus Is Born! 4. Simeon and Anna 5. Jesus in the Temple 6. Jesus Is Baptized Jesus’ Ministry 7. Jesus Calls Peter 8. Jesus Calls Matthew 9. Jesus Turns Water into Wine 10. Jesus Calms the Storm 11. Jesus Feeds a Great Crowd 12. Jesus Heals a Little Girl 13. Jesus Heals a Sick Boy 14. Jesus Heals a Man Who Couldn't Walk 15. Jesus and a Thankful Man 16. Jesus Heals a Man Who Couldn't See 17. Jesus Blesses the Children 18. Jesus and Zacchaeus 19. Jesus and Two Sisters 20. Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life |
Jesus’ Death & Resurrection
21. The Footwashing 22. A Sad Night 23. Jesus is Denied by Peter 24. Jesus Died/Jesus Lives! 25. On the Road to Emmaus 26. Thomas, the Doubter 27. Feed My Sheep 28. Jesus Goes Back to Heaven The Early Church 29. Pentecost 30. A Man Jumps for Joy 31. Peter and Tabitha 32. Peter Is Rescued 33. Jesus Changes Paul 34. Paul and Silas in Jail 35. Shipwreck! 36. Malta |
What are “story symbols”?
Each Bible story in DWELL has its own story symbol. (You can download a complete set for free from DWELL Digital.) 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. (You can download a complete set for free from DWELL Digital.) 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!
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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