biblequestlink.com - Leader Support


Introducing Bible Quest to Leaders A Workshop		Click here for the printable pdf. Requires Acrobat Reader to view. Click here to get Acrobat Reader.

Audience • Leaders who will be utilizing Bible Quest resources • Administrators and staff who will be supporting and/or training leaders Time Frame • 3 (to 4) hours (See note on page 3 for expanding workshop.) Materials Needed • Copies of Foundation Paper for all • Bible Quest* resources for all age groups • Copy of Leader Kit (multiple copies, if possible) • Copies of Resource Exploration Guide for all • Copies of Session Exploration Guide for all • Copies of Introducing Bible Quest Evaluation Form for all • Pencils or pens • Large piece of paper, marker board, or chalkboard • Markers or chalk Workshop Design Opening 1. (5 minutes) As participants arrive, have each of them complete the following sentence, which you have written in large letters on the marker board: “My greatest hope for this new curriculum is . . . “ 2. (5 minutes) After responding to the sentence, have each person find a seat at the table designated for his or her age group. (You will want to prepare table signs ahead of time: Toddlers and Twos, Ages 3–4, Grade K–1, Grade 2–3, Grades 4–6, Grades 6–8, Grades 9–12, Multi-Age (K–8), Older Youth, Young Adult, and Adult.) As others join the table, have them get acquainted with one another. 3. (3 minutes) At the designated time for beginning, welcome the group and thank them for agreeing to be leaders. Then offer the following prayer or a prayer in your own words: Loving God, we give you thanks for each person in this room. We thank you for the commitment they have made to share the faith with children, youth, and adults. We thank you especially for the many gifts and talents they bring to the task of leading learners. Be present with us in this time together as we explore the resources we will use with those learners. Accept our thanks for visionaries who conceived these resources, for the writers and editors who created the sessions, and for those who packed and shipped the resources to us. Keep ever before us the great chain of witnesses who made and will continue to make these resources possible. Let us see ourselves as another important link in that chain. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 4. (15 minutes) View the video “Bible Quest: A Whole New Approach to Bible Study.” Examining the Foundation Paper 1. (15 minutes) Distribute copies of the Foundation Paper, “Bible Quest: A Bible Story Curriculum for All Ages,” to each person. Ask them to read the paper carefully, using the following marking system: “!” for points they want to remember, “?” for points they do not understand, “X” for any points with which they disagree. 2. (10 minutes) Spend time in the larger group hearing feedback on the paper. Let three or four people tell one point they marked that they want to remember. Push them to say “why” they think the point is important. Be sure to check and see if there are any points with which anyone disagreed. Try yourself, or with the help of the group, to clarify why that particular point was included. Finally, be sure to address any questions that participants have about the paper. Introducing the Resources 1. (30 minutes) Place one or more complete sets of resources on each age group’s table. Give each person a copy of the Resource Exploration Guide to use in exploring the resources. Tell participants that this guide will help them discover how the resources are organized. Encourage them to work with others at their table who will also be using these resources. During this period, you (as leader(s)) should be available to answer questions and assist the participants. If there are questions from individuals or teams that would be of concern to the whole group, note them for use in the next step. (If you have not recieved a complete sets, you can download a sample session and a component that goes with that age level.) 2. (15 minutes) Bring the group back together to discuss questions they still have related to the resources they will be using, picking up on question 11 in the guide and any questions you noted during the last step. 3. (5 minutes) Refer back to the marker board used in the opening to see how many of the participant’s hopes for the new curriculum have been met. Exploring the Parts of a Session 1. (20 minutes) Ask the participants to open their leader’s guide to pages 2 and 3. Distribute copies of the Session Exploration Guide to each participant. Encourage them to utilize this guide to further explore the different parts of the session plan. Encourage them to work together with others at their table who will also be using the same resources. Be available to answer questions and assist participants. 2. (15 minutes) Bring the group back together to share insights and learning from their exploration. Ask various individuals or groups to share exciting ways the sessions have: • created an environment in which the story is presented • given learners direct access to the story • helped learners explore the significance of the story for their lives • have affirmed new understandings of the story or celebrated God’s presence in learning the story Remind leaders of the importance of “pacing” a session so that all four parts of the session plan can be experienced! If it has not been mentioned, be sure to point out the “other choices” part of each session.Bible Questprovides core activities marked by a letter in a box and many other choices marked by a letter in a circle. Leaders are not intended to do all activities. 3. (5 minutes) Ask if there are additional questions and/or concerns about the flow of a session plan and answer any that are raised. If you have a longer period of time (at least 4 to 4 1/2 hours), stop at this point and let participants experience a session from the curriculum. Allow at least 45–50 minutes for the actual session and the remainder of the time for feedback and reflection. Introducing Leader Development Resources 1. (10 minutes) Remind the participants that the developers of Bible Quest have planned resources for the training and support of leaders utilizing the series. Show a copy of the Leader Kit. (If possible, have several kits available so that one can be provided for each table or group of tables.) Point out that the kit consists of three major components: articles, workshop designs, and a video. Share the list of topics covered by articles and workshop designs. Note that these are all related to skills needed by leaders utilizing Bible Quest resources. Point out, also, that the video provides segments to be utilized in several of the workshop designs. Be sure to mention that the articles and workshop designs can be used by individual leaders or in workshops offered to leaders of several age groups. Encourage leaders to share with educational administrators which articles and/or workshop designs would be most helpful to them. Perhaps a schedule of leader events could be planned over the next year. 2. (15 minutes) Show one segment of the video to the participants to give them an idea of its usefulness. Share from the workshop design how this particular segment fits into the overall workshop. Closing 1. (2 minutes) Conclude with a prayer of thanksgiving for the people assembled who have committed themselves to the task of leading Bible Quest sessions. Pray for them as they begin their work. 2. (10 minutes) Distribute the evaluation sheets and give participants time to fill them out. Collect the sheets before everyone leaves. This workshop design provides ideas to introduceBible Quest resources in age-specific groupings, to learn about the flow of sessions in Bible Quest, to discuss Bible Quest foundations, and to explore additional leader development resources that are part of Bible Quest. The entire workshop is designed to be done in about three hours. Individual elements from the design may be used for shorter workshops.