Welcome to DWELL!
DWELL is more than a curriculum—it’s a place where students and leaders pause to wonder . . . imagine . . . marvel . . . and dive into God’s story. Developed out of a desire to help kids and young teens live into and out of God’s story, DWELL creates an environment where kids and young teens are offered opportunities to enter God’s story, and then live into and live out of it together.
For information on the big things in DWELL, including the age-level characteristics of the students in your group, the scope and sequence of each level, and the curriculum goals and values, view our Leader Support page.
Meanwhile, here are some questions and answers you might find helpful when using DWELL.
For information on the big things in DWELL, including the age-level characteristics of the students in your group, the scope and sequence of each level, and the curriculum goals and values, view our Leader Support page.
Meanwhile, here are some questions and answers you might find helpful when using DWELL.
What’s in it for me?
You’re a leader, but you’re also a learner. So we added something just for you in every session. “Reflections” are short devotionals designed to take you deeper into the story with background information, wondering questions, and teaching suggestions. Reading them will help you prepare to teach . . . and grow!
You’re a leader, but you’re also a learner. So we added something just for you in every session. “Reflections” are short devotionals designed to take you deeper into the story with background information, wondering questions, and teaching suggestions. Reading them will help you prepare to teach . . . and grow!
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 them. 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 them. And be sure to ask what the kids wonder about too!
How do I tell stories in a way that connects with kids and young teens?
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.
Does theology really matter in a curriculum?
The “Re★formed” tips you’ll find throughout this guide are your guarantee that every story is taught from a Reformed, God-centered perspective. It’s a perspective that views the Bible as a story about God—not about biblical heroes or morals—and considers every story as part of the one big story of God’s redemption and restoration of this fallen world through Jesus Christ. The “Re★formed” tip box is your assurance that we take what your group will be learning seriously; it explains DWELL’s approach in every story you’ll be teaching.
The “Re★formed” tips you’ll find throughout this guide are your guarantee that every story is taught from a Reformed, God-centered perspective. It’s a perspective that views the Bible as a story about God—not about biblical heroes or morals—and considers every story as part of the one big story of God’s redemption and restoration of this fallen world through Jesus Christ. The “Re★formed” tip box is your assurance that we take what your group will be learning seriously; it explains DWELL’s approach in every story you’ll be teaching.
What do I need to know about “faith modeling”?
It’s important to tell kids and young teens God’s story, but you’ll make a bigger impact when you live into God’s story together. One of the ways to do that is by sharing your faith with the members of your group. Throughout the leader’s guide you’ll find “Faith Modeling” tips to help you do that.
It’s important to tell kids and young teens God’s story, but you’ll make a bigger impact when you live into God’s story together. One of the ways to do that is by sharing your faith with the members of your group. Throughout the leader’s guide you’ll find “Faith Modeling” tips to help you do that.
What do the multiple intelligence icons have to do with how students learn?
Studies have shown that people learn differently, so each activity in DWELL pays attention to the ways kids and young teens learn. The icons are there to let you know which learning styles each activity taps into the most. Here's a fun quiz you can give your group to find out how they learn best.
Studies have shown that people learn differently, so each activity in DWELL pays attention to the ways kids and young teens learn. The icons are there to let you know which learning styles each activity taps into the most. Here's a fun quiz you can give your group to find out how they learn best.
What are “story symbols”?
Each Bible story in DWELL has its own story symbol. (You can download full-color or black and white sets for free or purchase full-color print versions.) By providing kids and young teens 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 review where you’ve been in God’s story and to wonder about where you’re going next. 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; or clip symbols to a “clothesline” that runs along one wall.
Each Bible story in DWELL has its own story symbol. (You can download full-color or black and white sets for free or purchase full-color print versions.) By providing kids and young teens 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 review where you’ve been in God’s story and to wonder about where you’re going next. 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; or clip symbols to a “clothesline” that runs along one wall.
Tip: Rearranging the symbols and having kids hang them is a fun way to review the stories you’ve told!
How does DWELL help me partner with parents?
“Faith is learned as it is woven seamlessly into the fabric of daily life,” says Traci Smith in Faithful Families. DWELL at Home resources are designed to encourage and equip families as they nurture faith at home. Rather than adding yet another "to do" item to busy lives, these can be seamlessly woven into the daily and weekly rhythms of any family. For more information check out our DWELL at Home page.
Another helpful resource for partnering with parents is the God’s Big Story cards. When families open their God’s Big Story set, they’ll find 165 cards that connect directly to every single story taught in the Imagine, Marvel, and Wonder levels of DWELL. Each story card in the set features a Bible passage and the symbol that matches the one kids saw when you told that Bible story at church. On the back of each card are six ways a family can respond to that story. Easy and fun to use, the cards encourage kids and adults to talk about their faith and wonder about God’s story together.
We’ve also provided you with simple ways to communicate with families about what’s going on in your group. Each unit of every level includes a letter to families explaining what you’ll cover during that unit. You can either print and distribute a reproducible version of this letter to families or access an emailable electronic version on our leader support page. You can also share each session’s Scripture, Focus, Faith Nurture Goals, and Leader Reflection with parents through our DWELL Digital site.
“Faith is learned as it is woven seamlessly into the fabric of daily life,” says Traci Smith in Faithful Families. DWELL at Home resources are designed to encourage and equip families as they nurture faith at home. Rather than adding yet another "to do" item to busy lives, these can be seamlessly woven into the daily and weekly rhythms of any family. For more information check out our DWELL at Home page.
Another helpful resource for partnering with parents is the God’s Big Story cards. When families open their God’s Big Story set, they’ll find 165 cards that connect directly to every single story taught in the Imagine, Marvel, and Wonder levels of DWELL. Each story card in the set features a Bible passage and the symbol that matches the one kids saw when you told that Bible story at church. On the back of each card are six ways a family can respond to that story. Easy and fun to use, the cards encourage kids and adults to talk about their faith and wonder about God’s story together.
We’ve also provided you with simple ways to communicate with families about what’s going on in your group. Each unit of every level includes a letter to families explaining what you’ll cover during that unit. You can either print and distribute a reproducible version of this letter to families or access an emailable electronic version on our leader support page. You can also share each session’s Scripture, Focus, Faith Nurture Goals, and Leader Reflection with parents through our DWELL Digital site.
Tailoring Your Sessions to the Ways Students Learn
How do children and young teens learn? The answer to that question can be almost as varied as the members of your group. Some learn best through words. Others through music. Still others through nature or through movement.
Sessions in the DWELL curriculum try to respect the many ways children and young teens learn. DWELL sessions include a wide range of activities that speak to children and young teens with the following types of intelligence (based on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences). Within each session, the icons below highlight the learning styles represented by each activity. As you teach, you’ll begin to get a sense for how the students in your group learn best. Children and young teens who are:
How do children and young teens learn? The answer to that question can be almost as varied as the members of your group. Some learn best through words. Others through music. Still others through nature or through movement.
Sessions in the DWELL curriculum try to respect the many ways children and young teens learn. DWELL sessions include a wide range of activities that speak to children and young teens with the following types of intelligence (based on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences). Within each session, the icons below highlight the learning styles represented by each activity. As you teach, you’ll begin to get a sense for how the students in your group learn best. Children and young teens who are:
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word smart learn best through verbal activities (listening, reading, or speaking), including discussions, worksheets, writing, reading, storytelling, and word games.
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number smart learn best by exploring patterns and relationships through activities such as problem solving, logic puzzles or games, making charts and graphs, or putting things in sequence.
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picture smart learn best by visualizing concepts. These kids enjoy viewing maps, slides, pictures, videos, and diagrams; making jigsaw puzzles; and expressing their ideas with shape, color, and design.
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body smart learn best by using their bodies, acting things out, using puppets, and moving—anything hands-on.
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music smart learn best through sound, music, and rhythm—playing musical instruments, writing their own songs and raps, listening to recordings, singing, and so on.
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people smart learn best by cooperating and working in small or large groups, role playing, conversations, brainstorming, and other interactive exercises.
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self smart learn best by working independently through such activities as writing in a journal, meditating, reading, and reflecting.
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earth smart learn best through activities connected to living things and natural phenomena, through nature walks, examining plants and animals, nature experiments, and activities that focus on ecology.
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A few notes about music . . .
For the Imagine (grades K-1), Wonder (grades 2-3), and Marvel (grades 4-5) levels we’ve put together two song CDs called DwellSongs, one for each year of curriculum. On each DwellSongs CD you’ll find songs that connect with the stories taught at each level, as well as Scripture songs chosen to help kids remember specific verses and/or phrases of Scripture. (We think the whole family will enjoy listening to the DwellSongs CDs—you can purchase them for your families or direct parents to purchase them from Faith Alive Resources.)
For the Dive (middle school) level: Young teens are an eclectic bunch—they have a wide-ranging (and ever-changing) taste in music, and their willingness to sing and dance may vary. Where possible we’ve provided you with suggestions for songs at this level. Invite your group to bring in their favorite God-glorifying music to enjoy together!
For the Imagine (grades K-1), Wonder (grades 2-3), and Marvel (grades 4-5) levels we’ve put together two song CDs called DwellSongs, one for each year of curriculum. On each DwellSongs CD you’ll find songs that connect with the stories taught at each level, as well as Scripture songs chosen to help kids remember specific verses and/or phrases of Scripture. (We think the whole family will enjoy listening to the DwellSongs CDs—you can purchase them for your families or direct parents to purchase them from Faith Alive Resources.)
For the Dive (middle school) level: Young teens are an eclectic bunch—they have a wide-ranging (and ever-changing) taste in music, and their willingness to sing and dance may vary. Where possible we’ve provided you with suggestions for songs at this level. Invite your group to bring in their favorite God-glorifying music to enjoy together!
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