Since our beginning in 1938, 21st Century Christian (like all other brotherhood publishers) has operated as a "for profit" company rather than a non-profit. Even though we must structure our business so that we are able to pay our employees, their benefits, the overhead, and the rent; we have always tried to remain responsible and accountable in the way we do business.
   Part of that commitment to responsibility, means that we give away approximately 10% of our curriculum products each quarter. These materials are graciously administered through a local congregation that distributes our materials worldwide (at no cost) to foreign mission churches of Christ. Third-world congregations are able to receive the very best in curriculum to help build the Lord's church in those areas.
   Perhaps the world is made a better place because we have maintained this practice for more than 20 years. We rarely mention this publicly, but we thought you ought to know. We take our responsibility seriously. God has blessed us to overflowing and we share.

   When someone asks what 21st Century Christian is about, we like to say, "We're curriculum people." As publishers of the 2 best-selling lines of curriculum in churches of Christ, we place our focus on effectively communicating God's Word to a new generation of learners.
   A little over 3 years ago we began to establish ourselves as trainers of Bible school teachers. Since that time we have been invited into more than 50 congregations from California to Maryland, from Michigan to Florida. Our half-day Teacher Training Workshop equips and encourages teachers to give their very best to one of life's most noble efforts - teaching God's Word.
   We don't push any particular curriculum and we don't sell anything at these gatherings. We don't charge anything near what our weekends are worth. We simply want to help teachers connect with their students (both young and old) to effectively pass the torch of faith. It's our passion.

   I read for a living. Curriculum, book manuscripts, ad copy, and occasionally I still have enough vision left to read a good book just for me. The Rabbit and the Elephant by Tony and Felicity Dale with George Barna is in the process of changing my thinking. The main thrust of the book is to explain the value of "house churches."
   There are 2 extremes that are working well in the American church growth arena - mega churches and house churches. The mega churches have caught the majority of our attention because, as all Americans know, bigger is always better. However, the authors make a compelling case for the effectiveness of small, house churches. The book is full of interesting information about what works and what doesn't, but I was amazed how it began to affect what I thought about church.
   My wife and I have recently moved to a new neighborhood. As we leave for church each Sunday morning, we see neighbors mowing lawns, Older couples out for a morning stroll, and young families playing together in their yards. Church attendance is not even on their radar. And I wonder, "Would they come to our house on Sunday afternoon for an informal discussion of God and faith?" "Would they let my wife teach their children about Jesus and His love?"
   Before The Rabbit and the Elephant I would never have considered a house church as a possibility. Now I wonder. Is getting people into our $10 million church building really the only way to reach them for Christ? If I invited them to my house, would they come? This book is challenging me to explore new possibilities and take a risk to try to reach the 65% of our population who are turned off by traditional church.

   Since there is no "official" publisher for a cappella churches of Christ, each publishing company must carve out its own niche in the brotherhood. Success helps us to more easily recognize where our strengths might lie.
   Many older publishing companies with a rich history in our fellowship may spend much of their publishing energy on maintaining things of the past - traditions, methods, and even language. Their publishing tends to gravitate toward defending the old paths and looking backwards.
   Other newer publishers have made it their goal to attempt to predict and shape the future of our fellowship. Many of their publications are asking us to consider new ways of thinking, new actions that were once considered off-limits. They seem to enjoy "pushing the envelope" and exploring ways we can copy our denominational friends.
   At 21st Century Christian, we have settled into our niche. We're Bible study curriculum people. With the 2 best-selling lines of children's curriculum, the best-selling ladies' Bible study series, and more digital curriculum than any brotherhood publishers, we're leading the way in solid Bible study. We know people are viewing us in this light because we're being flooded with excellent manuscripts to consider for publication.
   We have no hidden agendas. We're not stuck in the past or trying to radically change our look for the future. It's all about solid, serious Bible study. Not just for Bible facts, but for practical application in everyday life. We're proud of our 71 year heritage in publishing, but we're not stuck there. We will honor our past as we adapt to meet the challenges of the future. Our sincere thanks to all of you who use our materials and supplies. It's an honor to serve this fellowship!

   The glad day has finally arrived. All the pieces of our new F.B.I. (Faithful Bible Investigators) curriculum have arrived and the materials are beginning to ship out to customers today. This is some of the most creative Bible school materials that I've seen in quite a while and I know it will make Bible learning fun for kids in third, fourth, or fifth grades.
   The creative team (Jan Sessions, Majorie Gillis, David Jordan, and Beth Jordan) have collaborated to produce a Bible-based, chronological curriculum that will feel like year-round VBS and have children eager to come to class. This material is undated, which means teachers can start it at any time and interrupt it for special occasions.
   It has an FBI, CSI feel to it and will involve others in your congregation beyond the normal classroom. Children will be trained to investigate the Bible to discover the real facts of the story. We believe this training will serve them for a lifetime of Bible study.
   For more information, check www.thefbiway.com
 

   Curriculum from 21st Century Christian continues to lead the way in adding more digital features. Our New Life Through His Word curriculum already features printable files on CD, skits, video clips, and songs. Beginning Fall 2009, our New Life teen curriculum will replace the printed version of Encounter Magazine with a printable, digital version. 
   Everything that was on the printed version will be a part of the digital. The price will be $19.99 and a congregation may print off as many copies as they like for use within that congregation. Churches with 5 or more students will save money and hopefully find this format more convenient than the printed version. Individual stories, activities, or daily Bible reading materials may be printed off separate and used in class or as evangelistic outreach pieces.
   Nothing will be changing in the high quality of this publication. Only the format changes for your savings and convenience. Our curriculum is continually being upgraded to stay current with your needs.

   Last weekend I conducted a Teacher training Workshop for the Upland Church of Christ in Upland, CA. Travel expenses from Nashville make workshops on the west coast a rarity. What a blessing I received from this diverse, 150-member congregation.
   I was immediately impressed by the hospitaility of its minister, Jon Rowe, and his family. This congregation was a mix of races (Caucasian, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic) that seemed to work together and genuinely love one another. They exhibited a deep love for the Bible and an intense eagerness to know it better.

   In the March 2009 issue of Christian Chronicle, Holly Allen is interviewed concerning the spiritual formation of children. She summarized the current educational philosophies as "three divergent forces." The first is the megachurch model which is characterized by large-group entertainment. The second model, favored by younger couples, desires to educate children through small group, intergenerational gatherings. Her third model is more contemplative and allows children quiet time to process information about God.
   Dr. Allen summarized her hopes for the future of children's spiritual formation by encouraging readers to "revisit the traditional model." It is in this model that children are able to gain the facts which form the foundation of their faith. She continued that we must also "Find time somewhere for children to wonder, to ask, to imagine, to ponder..."
   The balance of our (21st Century Christian) Relational Model curricula allows children to gain that solid factual foundation, have quiet times to reflect in class, and have creative fun in the process. You can find curriculum that is more entertaining. You can find curriculum that is totally fact-driven. But the delicate balance of New Life Through His Word and LifeLINKS to God is truly difficult to find in today's marketplace of curriculum.
   We continue to treat our children as if they're educational guinea pigs. Maybe it's time we "revisit traditional Sunday school."

   All of our dated Bible school curriculum is designed for four, thirteen week quarters per year. We occasionally encounter odd calendar sequences that require adjustments in our curriculum. One of those oddities begins with Winter quarter (December - February).  Instead of our usual 13 Sundays in the quarter, there are only 12 Sundays for Winter quarter. All of our dated materials will include a 13th lesson for Sunday, March 1st.
   Spring quarter (March - May) is odd in that it has 14 Sundays. By shifting March 1st into the short Winter quarter, we will still have 13 lessons for spring, beginning with March 8, 2009. This subtle shift allows us to keep our printing steady with 13 lessons for both Winter and Spring quarters.
   Affected products include New Life Through His Word, LifeLINKS to God, Power Points for New Life, and Blueprints.

   Some of us who realize that December 25^th was an arbitrary date selected by the Catholic church to celebrate the birth of Jesus may be a bit uneasy joining in the celebration. It also creates a dilemma for Bible school curriculum publishers. Should we study the birth of Jesus in December or should we intentionally move it to another time of the year?

   At 21^st Century Christian Publishing, we have chosen to address the birth of Jesus in three major ways. First, our curriculum clearly teaches that we do not know the date of Jesus’ birth. December 25^th has only one chance out of 365 of being the correct date. We also try to tell the history of the selection of that date by the Catholic church. Built into each of the birth-of-Jesus lessons, we challenge students to examine the Bible to determine whether folklore and tradition matches the actual scriptural account. For example, were the wise men really present at the manger with the shepherds as nativity scenes would suggest? Choosing to study the birth of Christ in December gives teachers an excellent opportunity to teach God’s truth in stark contrast to the errors.

   A second reason to study the birth of Christ in December is to take advantage of a great “teachable moment.” The world turns its attention to this wonderful event and is open for discussion on the subject. Why not use this opportunity to prepare our people to engage in a meaningful, redeeming conversation on the topic? It seems naïve to believe that children are totally unaware that the world has focused on the Christ-child. While all of their religious friends are talking about the birth of our Savior, Christmas plays, and special Christmas Eve services, our children are learning that Jael drove a tent peg through Sisera’s head while he slept. So much for “Peace on Earth.”

   Finally, we realize that, for many, this topic is a serious matter of conscience. To prevent anyone from violating their sincerely held beliefs, we suggest that they simply shuffle the order in which they teach the units for the winter quarter. Start off in December with Unit 2, go to Unit 3 in January, and teach Unit 1 (the birth of Jesus) in February.

   We sometimes forget the reality – our fellowship is pretty broad and diverse. There are those who love teaching the truth of the birth of Jesus, even in December. There are others who tolerate this topic in December. And there are those who are offended by its December placement. We hope that we have offered enough alternatives to allow everyone to treat the season and the topic as their conscience and Scripture may guide them.

   What's a Bible school teacher supposed to do with Old Testament passages that deal with instrumental music as a part of their worship? Should they be skipped? Omitted? Ignored? Here's what we try to do within our curriculum:
   We attempt to teach all of God's truth. When the Bible talks about instrumental music in Old Testament worship, the curriculum talks about it too. If God was pleased to have it back then (see 2 Chronicles 5:11-14), then we teach it like God recorded it. However, we always try to mention that there is no example of instrumental music in the worship of the New Testament church. Our example there is to sing and make melody in our hearts.
   We take seriously God's warning not to add to or take away from Scripture.  Our argument for a cappella worship would be much easier if we could take out the Old Testament references to instrumental worship. However, God chose to leave them in, so we teach His Word.

   Many congregations are feeling the results of our nation's economic slowdown. Budget freezes and budget cuts are being implemented as steps of good stewardship. Unfortunately, our children are getting cut in the process. Many churches have drastically changed their buying patterns for children's curriculum.
   I'm sure there are many ways to economize without harming the spiritual formation of our most vulnerable members. So help me out on this one. If you have a good, simple idea for trimming the church budget without cutting education for our children, I'd love to hear it. Just e-mail your money-saving idea to Tom Tignor (tomt@21stcc.com) and I'll share the Top Ten ideas with everyone in a future blog.
   Thanks!

  What a great idea for teachers. I just show up at my class a few minutes early and there it is. A fully prepared lesson is neatly stacked and waiting for me to present it. I didn't have to prepare during the week. (I'm really busy, you know.) I just show up and teach. How ingenious!
   Got a problem with easy and convenient? Well...yep. This method of teaching cheats the Holy Spirit out of an opportunity to participate. No input from God needed. Just thank the "Lesson Fairy" for dropping by your classroom.
   I can't count the number of times that the Holy Spirit has helped me teach a class when I chose to start preparation early. He would help me see great lesson illustrations at Walmart or Applebee's or my own home. He has led me right to some of the most effective visuals that the lesson needed to really stick.
   When a teacher cuts back on preparation or waits until the last minute, it's as if she's saying, "I can do this job all by myself." Real teaching, however, is a partnership with God's Holy Spirit. Be careful not to cheat Him out of His job.

   I recently received an e-mail from a lady in a 200 member congregation in mid-America. I will protect her anonymity, but excerpt a few sentences from her correspondence.
   "We are trying to transition from homemade materials to your published curriculum. We tried homemade material to save money intially, however, our church is growing and we do not want to cut corners in probably our most important ministry - working with children. We can afford to order and honestly do not believe we have actually saved any money with the homemade materials."
   I'm not sure how the dilemma will resolve itself, but I agree that most write-your-campaigns actually end up costing as much or more than a published curriculum. The job of passing our faith to the next generation is much too important to seriously consider it as a budget-cutting item. It rarely cuts the budget, but is sure to cut the church's future.

Research has shown that most children have trouble grasping biblical chronology until they are 9 or 10 years-old. At that age, the brain has usually developed to the point that children are able to sort and order larger numbers of events.
New Life Through His Word offers 2, one-year chronological trips through the Bible for third and fourth graders beginning each fall. Each year offers fresh perspectives and new stories from the entire Bible, in order. 
No matter what curriculum you normally use, New Life Middle School curriculum provides a creative format for getting the "big picture" of the Bible at an age when they can really soak it in.

   I grew up on uniform Bible lessons in my childhood church of the 1950's and 1960's. Every age group from toddlers through adults studied the same Bible topic each week. Uniform lessons faded away until Group's FaithWeaver curriculum brought them back in 2000.
   Are uniform lessons really a good idea or simply a restored relic of the 1960's? Here are a few points to consider as you choose between uniform and age-appropriate curriculum:
Developmental tasks - The developmental needs of older children, teens, and adults are nowhere near the needs of younger children. It is difficult to discuss dating, sex, business ethics, etc. when the same Bible text also has to fit preschoolers.
Cycling - Children cycle through ages and grades in a way that allows the repeat of topics as learners develop. When adults cycle through a three-year curriculum, it's highly unlikely that they will want to repeat the exact same lessons again.
Bible topics - Within the uniform model of curriculum, many topics would never be discussed (circumcision, homosexuality, spiritual gifts, human sacrifices) because children could not handle the content. Uniform Bible lessons greatly limit the scope of Bible content that can be considered.
Brain development - Children think mainly in concrete terms and do much better studying literal portions of the Bible. Teens and adults have developed abstract thinking skills that allow them to understand metaphors, parables, and symbolism.
Attention span - The younger the child, the shorter the attention span. Children will cover most Bible stories in only one session. Teens and adults may need several sessions to fully develop the topic, process the materials, and master the concepts.
Biblical accuracy - In a uniform study of David and Bathsheba or Job the Bible text cannot be properly addressed at the child's level. Some other topic must be wrestled out of the text that is acceptable for young learners. In the process, the Bible may not be "rightly divided."
   The advantages of age-appropriate curriculum are overwhelming and have stood the test of time. New Life Through His Word and LifeLINKS to God offer the best in age-appropriate Bible lessons.

   In a recent landmark church survey conducted by David C. Cook Publishing, Vice President, Marlene LeFever reported that many Bible school programs are returning to the Traditional Model (one teacher for an age group for the school year). After several years of experimenting with the Rotation and Large Group/Small Group models, children's ministers are abandoning these methods in favor of the tried and true.
   Two major reasons were cited for the shift. First was the failure of Rotation and Large Group/Small Group to produce evidence of deep discipleship in the children. While these models were very entertaining and allowed for great student expression, they lacked adequate time for God's Word to make a serious impression on the students.   
   Second, today's children are starving for attention and genuine relationships. Even parents are spending on average less than 7 minutes per day in meaningful conversation with their children. The Traditional Model allows students to build a deep relationship with one teacher over a year's time. This fills in some of the gap caused by family hurry, fatigue, and busyness.
   New trends will continue to come and go, but the Traditional Model for spiritual formation appears to be standing strong in all the winds of change.

A last minute call for a K-1st grade substitute teacher Sunday morning yielded another opportunity for God to prove Himself strong. The LifeLINKS to God lesson would be a quick fill-in since the regular Bible class teacher had the material with her and nothing was at the building except an extra teacher manual. With barely seven minutes to prepare, there was little time to waste. After quickly writing out the words, Hook, Book, Look, Took (which correspond with the 4 steps of the lesson) on a sheet of paper, and scanning the Hook suggestion in the teacher manual, reading the Luke 10:25-37 passage in my Bible, glancing at the Took portion of the lesson, I jotted down some key conclusion ideas, and breathed a quick prayer for guidance.

Sixteen to twenty students could pour into the classroom any moment. With two tables with space for eight students each, I was certainly not ready for a full class. Five minutes after class was to start we had only six students at one table. We spread out in the room to participate in the Hook activity identifying who is my neighbor in different scenarios. At that point three more students came into the classroom.

When we were ready to come back to the table for the Bible lesson, the original six went back to their table, and the latecomers, two girls and a boy sat at the other table.  As a matter of equity, I asked if someone from the group of six would “be neighborly” and relocate to the second table. After an awkward pause, one girl gave up her prized spot at the first table to sit with the three late-comers, one of which was a visitor. This was a sacrifice for this bubbly, popular girl to relocate to unclear turf, a table with a visitor and a shy boy. 

What happened in the classroom from then on was not of my doing but truly of the Holy Spirit. As teachers we would like to see some sign, ever so slight, of a glimmer in our students’ responses that would indicate they are not merely rote-responding, but that the Look and Took portion of the lesson yields some flash of “this is how I want to live.”

It is important to note: just at the time we were discussing how we can be a neighbor and show mercy, like the Samaritan in Luke 10, we were identifying who, when, and where we could show mercy. Most responses were “This week I could…” “Oh, teacher, this week I could…”
It was about that time I noticed a boy at the first table who seemed to appear uneasy. I actually thought, bless his heart, he has endured a last-minute lesson and the end of his attention span is near. I asked again, “What would be another time we could do a neighborly act of love and mercy, even in the next ten minutes?”  Without a word, the young boy stood up, and moved over to the second table. His action was a deliberate response to the Word of God touching his heart. He did not look to me for approval. He merely moved to the other table, made himself at home.  God is good!

I called his mother and together, we cried tears of thankfulness for a little heart touched by a teaching of our Lord. Let us never grow discouraged regarding the power of the living Word working in these little heads and hearts. Let us give God the glory, and not sell Him short in His capability to yield fruit in these little ones.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11

Shared by Lanae West of Northwest Church of Christ in Westminster, CO