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Curriculum

Welcome to our curriculum planning and check-out process! On this page are downloadable documents of the curriculum we currently have available, links to the material we recommend, and a quarterly planning sheet to help your class/or group schedule out teachers/studies.

Below you'll find details on our process, links to resources, and ways to offer us feedback. If you have recommendations for a new study let us know.

 

WE USE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES WHEN CHOOSING CURRICULUM WITH OUR LAY-TEAM:
  1. Is this within the wide spectrum of United Methodist Theology?
  2. Can a non-seminary trained person lead/teach/facilitate this study?
  3. Does this study have the potential for moving people to deepen their faith journey?
  4. Does it help us balance our offerings in our 5 Areas of Study: Biblical, Theological, Topical, United Methodism, and Living the Spiritual Life?

Links to material that we recommend:

The Thoughtful Christian - Downloadable lessons (1 week - 6 weeks) an on a variety of topics The Church has an account to give you free access to this material.

Faithlink - Contemporary one-week downloadable lessons available for a fee (Life -> Scripture)

Adult Bible Study - An excellent quarterly publication that is purchased through Cokesbury (Scripture -> Life)

Teachable Books - Free downloadable discussion guides for books your group might study.

Small-Group Guides from HarperOne - Free downloadable discussion guides for many bestselling books related to faith.

If you have any questions please contact Dr. Domenic Nigrelli at dnigrelli@bumc.net.

Curriculum Process

5 SUGGESTED AREAS OF STUDY EACH YEAR:
  1. Bible-based studies - Examples - Disciple, Bible from Scratch
  2. United Methodist history, beliefs, and organization - Examples - Three Simple Rules, What does it mean to be United Methodist
  3. Spiritual Disciples/Living the Spiritual Journey - Examples - The Way of Prayer, Celebrate Discipline
  4. Topical studies on the life and social issues - Examples - Living Fully, Dying Well, Confronting the Controversies, Parenting the Early Years
  5. Theological studies – Who is God and how does God work? - Examples - Why?: Making Sense of God’s Will, What’s so Amazing about Grace?

CURRICULUM PLANNING & CHECK OUT PROCESS:

STEP 1 - DISCOVER CURRICULUM NEEDS
  1. Classes/Groups with needs consult what is available via the website:
  2. Look at the current curriculum list
    • Check what new material might be available
    • Consult Cokesbury's website or the annual Forecast Catalog
  3. Needs and suggestions for possible studies are shared with Adult Discipleship staff
  4. These needs are taken to the curriculum committee who offers recommendations back to a class/group
STEP 2 - CHOOSE AND OBTAIN RESOURCE
  1. Group's leadership selects a resource
  2. The material is available to check out to preview
  3. 2 Weeks to Preview Curriculum (Material can be returned to the Outpost)
  4. Schedule Study with Dr. Domenic Nigrelli
    • Will need to know if you need books or other materials for participants and when you anticipate a study will begin and end.
    • We will order these materials and have them in the Outpost for pick-up/purchase (Materials ordered by Sunday are generally available the following week. After Sunday, allow 2 weeks for shipments to arrive.)
  5. Participants pick up copies of their book or study materials in the Outpost
    • If a group needs special equipment on Sunday morning contact Carol to schedule this.
  6. Return Leader’s Guide/DVD’s and other materials to the Outpost and offer Feedback