Understanding TruStory

God’s intent for the family is for each generation to pass on faith to the next. Dr. Michelle Anthony

General Lesson Flow | The Basics Each week leaders will be given a list of resources along with encouraging articles that will help prepare their hearts to present the lesson. As the children arrive, they engage in fun, creative activities designed to pique their curiosity about the day’s portion of God’s big story and develop relationships with leaders and one another. Then children experience and learn more about God through scripture, storytelling, prayer, and discussion. The next part of the lesson invites children to reflect on what the Holy Spirit is teaching them and respond to God through creative activities and games. Before they leave, children receive a blessing from their leaders and sometimes one another. A blessing may be a portion of Scripture or words to encourage and guide.

Developmentally Speaking Elementary age children engage through stories. As kids discover more about The Big God Story, they will be able to see more about who God is, what He is doing through His Word, and how they can be part of His big story. TruStory uses a variety of teaching styles to help children build upon what they know about the world around them to discover more about who God made them to be and what He has for His people. In TruStory, children learn how to open God’s Word and respond to Him on their own through worship and personal reflection.

The Vision for Leader Prep

Each week leaders are given a list of resources along with encouraging articles that will help prepare their hearts to present the lesson. In Tru this is called: Inspire: personal stories from fellow ministry leaders about how God has worked in their lives Equip: perspective and context to the lesson's Bible passage Support: reflection and assessment through encouragement, prayer, and time in God's Word

The Vision for EXPLORE

As the children arrive, they engage in fun, creative activities designed to pique their curiosity about the day’s portion of God’s big story and develop relationships with leaders and one another. Two different group activities offer options for multiple learning styles Minimal supplies allow for churches with more time to do both options Discussion prompts give an opportunity for leaders to give a general introduction to the day’s part of The Big God Story

The Vision for DISCOVER

Children experience and learn more about God through Scripture, storytelling, prayer, and discussion. Traditions: Children work toward a common goal with mementos to celebrate accomplishments such as memorizing the Remember Verse or bringing Bibles to church Remember Verse: Each month’s Remember Verse focuses on a character trait of God that’s highlighted in The Big God Story Connect: Presenting engaging questions, energizing games, and creative activities helps the children get to know one another in the larger group The Big God Story: Tell the day’s portion of The Big God Story. Encourage children to engage and interact through various storytelling techniques. Worship as Response: Give children an opportunity to respond through worship. Includes options for worshipping through singing, response stations, dance, contemplative activities, and more

The Vision for RESPOND

Children reflect on what the Holy Spirit is teaching them and respond to God through creative activities and games. The activities in this section change from week to week so children can freely express their worship. Features include: Two activity options allow leaders to adjust for time constraints Art-based activities provide a more contemplative and creative time of response Games give children an opportunity to respond to The Big God Story with large-motor activities Reflect Questions help children open God’s Word to look at the Scripture and apply the truths they have learned to their own lives

The Vision for BLESS

Before they leave, children receive a blessing from their leaders and sometimes one another. A blessing may be a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide. Children are blessed by what God is doing in them. As they have been blessed, they can also bless others. HomeFront Weekly: This is a preteaching tool for parents to use with their families during the week. They will not only find out what their child learned this week but they will also be able to introduce the Ponder Point point for next week.

Classroom Edition

Tru also offers a Classroom Edition Tru also offers a Classroom Edition. This version of the lessons features the same Scope and Sequence told with different activities from Large Group/Small Group. Classroom Edition focuses on building relationships in a smaller setting. CONNECT: Designed for children to develop relationships with their leaders and one another through simple activities and conversation starters GATHER: Children experience and learn more about God through memorizing Scripture, storytelling from The Big God Story, prayer, and discussion RESPOND: A time to reflect on what the Holy Spirit is teaching the kids and respond to God through creative activities and games BLESS: Children and families are blessed through a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide

To equip the church with Christ-centered resources for making and teaching disciples who obediently transform today’s generations