CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced the availability of a new Christian studies curriculum designed for the classroom, that involves structure and guidance for Christian studies.
This new curriculum, "Graceways: Christian Studies Curriculum," first published by Open Book Publishers in Australia, is not a set of textbooks. Teachers use detailed planning guides to help them adapt the material to their specific students needs.
The gospel-centered material gives students a chance to experience a sense of belonging within a caring Christian community, witness faith in action, engage in trusting relationships with people who share their faith, and experience faithfulness, forgiveness, and love, according to a Augsburg Fortress news release.
"Graceways gives students the framework needed for daily time set aside for students to learn about their relationship with God," said John J. Scibilia, director for schools, ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools. "Graceways helps students address the questions of 'who am I?' 'where do I come from?" and 'where am I going?'" he added. The curriculum is educationally sound, gospel-centered, flexible in structure, relevant to today's students, and informed by the Lutheran confessions, according to Augsburg Fortress promotional materials.
The Graceways curriculum is structured for five age-specific groups, ranging from early childhood to senior high school. Materials are designed to be used one hour per week during the school year. Each group includes 12 lessons which correspond with 12 key concepts, such as relationships, prayer and worship.
The Bible-based lessons are centered on God's relationships with people and how God helps, calls, creates and gathers people. The curriculum is presented in the classrooms through learning units. One unit addresses one or more of 36 faith statements of the Lutheran Church, which are used to expand on God's relationships with people.
"This curriculum provides a comprehensive approach to Christian studies for students through experimental activities and provides a connection of Christian faith to real life experiences and topics," said Stephanie Moats, product manager for educational resources, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis.
"Graceways calls on everyone in the school community to be a learner and participant," Scibilia said. "This curriculum will be most effective when teachers share their plans and experiences. Spiritual growth can be enriched and enhanced at every age." -- -- --
More information about Graceways: Christian Studies Curriculum is available at http://www.augsburgfortress.org/graceways on the Web.
[*Michelle T. Mills is a senior at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.
This summer, she is an intern with the ELCA News and Information.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
