Article by Dennis Bennett

We have all used the word curriculum, but not many really know what it means. To most it conveys the material we use. It comes from the Latin meaning “a race.” God’s curriculum, or race, for His children is that in the end we are more like His Son Jesus. What we generally refer to as curriculum is really a curriculum plan. When we use Great Commission’s material for, say, grade three, it is a segment of the overall race that will take a child through the third grade with specific experiences for that quarter and year.

Great Commission Publications has done a great job laying out the curriculum plan up through high school, but what curriculum plan does your church have for adults? God’s plan is clear, but how are we going to know if we are moving each individual in our church toward that goal?

We usually refer to adult curriculum by another term – discipleship. However, if we are to see our people truly discipled we need a curriculum plan! We need to plan how we are to get a new Christian from the point of birth to maturity, from infancy to disciplemaker. If your church doesn’t have a plan let me suggest one for you. This plan allows you to monitor the growth of each individual in your church. If we keep in mind that the work of the pastor-teacher is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” then the plan here is for the leadership to examine each person in the church, determine where they are at on this chart, and then make a plan to move him or her to where he or she is living for the Lord in all areas of life and discipling others.

It has often been said that if we have no goal we are sure to meet it. For discipleship to take place there has to be movement in the right direction.  If you would like to contact me directly, you can reach me at 678-825-1158 or dbennett@pcanet.org