Welcome to DWELL Flex!
DWELL Flex is a new multi-age edition of DWELL, created to adapt to a variety of contexts. It's just one of the ways we're supporting churches during COVID.
The 36 New Testament sessions and 36 Old Testament sessions (more sessions coming!) 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 sessions move through the Old or New Testament in a rough chronological order, but as each session is stand-alone, you can use them in whatever order works for your unique situation. You can view the sessions that have already been released in our DWELL Flex Scope and Sequence. Two more years of materials are coming in fall 2022 and fall 2023. View the full sessions on DWELL Digital (subscription required) or download sample sessions.
The 36 New Testament sessions and 36 Old Testament sessions (more sessions coming!) work with a wide range of ages in one classroom 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. The sessions move through the Old or New Testament in a rough chronological order, but as each session is stand-alone, you can use them in whatever order works for your unique situation. You can view the sessions that have already been released in our DWELL Flex Scope and Sequence. Two more years of materials are coming in fall 2022 and fall 2023. View the full sessions on DWELL Digital (subscription required) or download sample sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I need?
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.
We also recommend that you purchase one set of God’s Big Story cards for each family so they can continue exploring God's story together at home, and also for each leader 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. You will also need a printer if you want to print out the story symbols.
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.
We also recommend that you purchase one set of God’s Big Story cards for each family so they can continue exploring God's story together at home, and also for each leader 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. You will also need a printer if you want to print out the story symbols.
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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 stories will begin releasing soon! |
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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