Change can be ok, sometimes

Change is always unsettling, even when it appears to be for the better. No matter how hard we try, change brings about new emotions. Yesterday, I went running with the famous author Michael Kelley, and Ironman Triathlete Jason Hayes. I assure you this was something different for me. Running with new people on a new course can be tough. When it was all said and done, the run ended up being great, but at times along the way I considered sitting on the bench in the park and reading with the older lady we passed several times. Change, even when we choose it, can be tough.

I have heard about the need for change a lot since I came to work at LifeWay. My job initially was to help build a Bible study for young adults. LifeMatters was created and was sent out to young adult groups around the country. My hope and prayer was simple, “Let this study speak to my generation.” In the months that have followed, I have been overwhelmed by the encouragement I’ve received from leaders teaching the material as well as from young adults using the study. One leader in particular I met at Catalyst last year has stayed in touch since that meeting. When we met, Carissa was searching for a study for her class to use in Sunday School and had been looking for something for awhile. Hearing her describe her struggles with young adult ministry and with finding materials to help her teach in ways that combined God’s truth with meaningful application reminded me of what I felt as I began work on LifeMatters. Our goal was to provide a study that taught the Bible in a way that connected the culture we grew up in with the faith spoken of by Christ. A faith that would allow us to reach people for Christ. A faith that would not withdraw from culture but rather engage culture.

Last week I sent Carissa an email to see how the study was going in her community and asked her to describe her experience with LifeMatters. I was very encouraged by her reply. Here is what she had to say:

My first introduction to the LifeMatters curriculum was at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta in 2007. I was excited to find material geared toward young adults, because I had been in search of any type of young adult curriculum for almost a year. We use LifeMatters on a weekly basis for our Sunday School class, which meets every Sunday for approximately 45 minutes.

When I first received the packet, with the leader and learner books, I was excited to find so much information. The packet contained posters and extra information to use during the lessons. Visuals are important for telling any story, and they assist me in transferring information to the students in a non-audible manner.

When preparing for the lesson, the additional information given in the leader guide helps with the background for the lesson. For instance, the background passages listed are important to what I’m teaching but are not necessarily the main scriptures of the lesson, so having knowledge of them is important. The study material for each lesson is a plus, because it allows you to delve deeper into the Scriptures that are part of the lesson without having to refer to a supplemental study Bible or concordance. The questions included as a part of each lesson are thought-provoking and are great for class discussion and self-reflection.

I’ve found that the learner book contains information appropriate for all young adults, whether single or married. It enables class members to follow along with the teacher and then allows for additional study for the members outside of class times. I use the learner book as a connecting point for ways the class can practically live out the lessons we are studying.

LifeMatters lessons are written about relevant topics for young adults, and lessons function individually from week-to-week while still staying on a monthly topic. With other curriculum I have taught in the past, a student who missed a lesson would be at a disadvantage when they showed up for the next class. While the LifeMatters material is taught in a sequential order, each week includes quick references to the prior week that are all the review necessary for understanding the current lesson. This makes it exceptionally easy for a student to follow along if they have been absent a week; they don’t feel lost or out of place.

Overall, I am extremely happy with the topics, layout, posters, teacher guide and member book for LifeMatters. It is great to have a curriculum that relates to young adults and the issues they face. The challenges at the end of each lesson are helpful in the practical application of the scripture and principle studied. I would highly recommend this curriculum to anyone who works with young adults.

So I know change is never the most enjoyable thing to do, but sometimes it can be worth it. If you haven’t tried LifeMatters, download a sample of it now (get the entire month of June for the Leader (25 MB) and Learner (5 MB) guides) and give it a shot. If you are using it, let me know how it is going. My goal as always is for this study to connect. If you have ideas or suggestions they are always welcome.