Frequently Asked Questions

A. Yes. You may make an initial purchase of a print Teacher’s Kit and then desire an additional copy of the Leader's Edition, which you can order electronically.

A. At any time you can log-in to your account and view record of how many licenses of each resource you’ve purchased. After logging in, go to the Download Center to print a report that will detail how many and when the licenses were ordered. We suggest that one person per church manage the administration of the licenses.

A. Here are a few things you may want to consider (although the following list is not exhaustive):

Internet Connection—We recommend using a high-speed internet connection to download and distribute these resources.

Benefits—Each customer must weigh the value of electronic and printed resources and consider which benefits are most important.

Quality—Please consider the quality of CDG’s traditional printed resources in comparison to those resources produced on your printing equipment. Our professionally printed resources are designed to endure for many years. For example, our Student Workbooks use 100# index paper (card stock), which is sturdy and prevents bleed through. Another example is the coil binding of our Leader’s Editions and Student Workbooks, which makes them more durable than a 3-hole punch paper version. Note that when CDG uses 3-hole punch paper, it is reinforced paper.

Usage—In order to experience the full benefit of electronic resources, churches should use them differently than they would our traditional printed resources. For example, a church that prints each workbook page, and then uses a 3-hole punch to insert the lessons into a binder, will not receive much benefit from the new format and may even spend more money than if they had just bought the traditional printed workbooks. However, printing the workbook pages as weekly worksheets would be an example of receiving the benefit of electronic workbooks.

Licensing—Be sure to read and understand our License Agreements. Your church should be willing and able to comply with the license agreements for each resource. This will probably mean annual review and purchase of resources.

A. Curriculum samples are available here.

A. Click here for an overview of the curricula as it is implemented at Bethlehem Baptist Church (classrooms divided by grade level).

A. Up-to-date pricing is available in our 2010 Catalog.

A.

This will vary depending on your style and familiarity with the style of the curriculum lessons. In general, however, the time may range from one and a half to two hours per lesson.

One teacher outlined her lesson preparation in this way:

About one or two weeks before the lesson, I read through the entire lesson so that I get the big picture of what is going on in the lesson. (15 minutes)

After reading through the lesson, I spend some time looking up the Scripture texts. I meditate on what this lesson is saying about God and what it means for me personally. Throughout my week, I think about the lesson and the texts and try to internalize how it applies to my life at this time. Sometimes I think of a related book or sermon that I've read and then go back and re-read it. In order to be authentic in my teaching I want to be spiritually prepared by really understanding and loving the truth that is presented. (30-45 minutes looking up texts, etc.)

Several days before the lesson I get all the visuals together and plan how I am going to incorporate the visuals in the teaching. I sometimes teach the lesson quickly to my spouse, using the visuals as I would in teaching the children. (30-45 minutes)

To simply read and understand the lesson and get visuals together, you could probably prepare in 30 minutes to an hour, but if you want to teach from an overflowing heart, spending time throughout the week is really beneficial.

A. Class room time could run between 45 and 90 minutes. The two essential components of a class time are the teaching of the Word (lesson presentation) and the application (What did I hear? What do I understand about what I have heard? and How do I hear God calling me to respond?)

All other activities should be structured to support these two components. Other activities may include transition time (when you connect with the students as they enter class and review what you learned last week), worship, prayer, and other optional activities.

A.

This varies from level to level.

• Preschool: Workbook pages are useful for reviewing the story, checking the child's understanding of the story, and presenting an application "discussion."

• Early Elementary: Workbook pages can be used after the application discussion. They are helpful for reviewing the lesson, applying the lesson, or giving the child further understanding of the lesson. You may be able to continue your discussion, make brief helpful comments, or ask questions while the children are working on the workbook pages. The workbooks also serve as a tool to occupy the children while you have a conversation with an individual child.

• Upper Elementary: For the How Majestic is Your Name and the My Purpose Will Stand curricula, children should fold the workbook so the right side of the page is not showing (the workbooks are spiral-bound for durability). During the lesson, the children should take notes using the left-hand page of the workbook. These pages are not designed to be thought-provoking; they are designed to aid the children in quickly recording the basic content of the lessons.
  
  After the lesson, the small group leader may want to briefly review the note-taking page with the children. After the application discussion, students may complete the right-hand page of the workbook. These activity pages are designed to further their understanding of the content, provoke further thought and discussion, or to apply the concepts taught in the lesson. The workbooks also serve as a tool to occupy the children while you have a conversation with an individual child.

A.

The curricula can be adapted for use in a home or Christian school by studying each lesson more in depth. The lesson could be taught during one class period; another class period could be devoted to discussion of the lesson and personal application; the following class period(s) could be focused on some of the following activities:

• Memory verse--learning the verse; reviewing previous verses
• Journaling--students could be assigned to write about a topic related to the lesson. Journal assignments could focus more on personal application or response to the lesson.
• Parent Resource Pages could be done in class.
• Sharing time--students could be given the opportunity to share with the class how they have applied what has been learned.
• Prayer time--an intense time of prayer related to the topic of study
• Review--previous lessons and concepts can be reviewed
• A test on the material covered to date
• Ministry--students could be encouraged to use what has been learned in ministry to others (i.e. write a note of encouragement to someone using one of the names of God)

A. This system follows the pattern of typical school-year: September to May.

A. The illustration is designed to give the children an easy-to-understand, concrete example to direct their thinking toward the lesson theme. Material is presented in a deductive teaching style, leading children to make observations and draw conclusions as the lesson progresses. Therefore the illustration is an important bridge from what children see and understand (concrete thinking) to what they can't see and find hard to understand (abstract thinking). Children learn through the process of bridging this intellectual gap.

A. The midweek curricula include more activities and games. They are also of a more practical nature, dealing with specific discipling issues, such as using the Bible and how to fight the fight of faith. Midweek curricula can also be used as a club program with awards that can be earned.

A. We currently have four junior high titles available. You can learn more here.

High school curricula is in our plans for the future, along with additional junior high titles.

A. Teacher's Kits and Leader's Editions (printed or electronic) - are to be purchased for each Teacher and Small Group Leader. Student Workbooks (printed or electronic) - are to be purchased for each student. However, copies of individual workbook lessons may be made for visitors. Parent Resource Pages - are intended to be duplicated and distributed to parents.

A.

Yes. Customers may return products for up to 60 days after receipt. Returns after 60 days will incur a 15% restocking fee. Returns after 120 days will not be accepted. Pack items carefully so that they are not damaged in shipment. CDG will not issue credit for items that are damaged. UPS shipping is suggested.

When returning student workbooks, there must be a piece of paper between each workbook to protect plastic covers.

When returning Teacher Kits, please remove the lesson content from the three-ring binder and wrap it with plastic wrap. Pack Teacher's Kit contents back into the box the product arrived in, and then package the Teacher Kit boxes into a larger box for shipping. If return requires more than one box mark boxes 1 of__, 2 of ____, etc. and include a copy of the original packing list in each package.

Please include a note stating the reason for the return.

For questions about your return, please call 1-888-346-4700, or email CDG@desiringGOD.org.

Return to:

Children Desiring God
c/o ViaTech
424 N Cedarbrook Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802

A. No. Since the resources can be downloaded immediately after the order is placed, we cannot allow "returns" on electronic files. Please order carefully.

A. The license for an E-Leader’s Edition is a perpetual license that will allow the viewing, printing and use by an individual, of one copy of the E-Leader’s Edition and that this copy may not be shared among multiple teachers at the same time.

However, this copy of the E-Leader’s Edition may be reused for teaching the same curriculum at a later time by the same, or another individual.

During the ordering process you will be asked to abide by the license terms and that those in your organization will not make any more copies than permitted by the number of license(s) purchased and that your will take reasonable steps to ensure that those in your organization abide by these terms. You will also be asked that your organization use reasonable efforts to protect the electronic resource(s) from unpermitted use or misuse of any kind.

A. The license for an E-Workbook is a single-use license that will allow the printing and single use of one E-Workbook. Multiple copies require the purchase of multiple licenses – one license per child. Copies may not be reprinted or reused a second time. Note: Organizations may make additional E-Workbook copies for visitors—so long as they purchase a license when that visitor becomes a regular part of the class. During the ordering process you will be asked to abide by the license terms and that those in your organization will not make any more copies than permitted by the number of license(s) purchased and that your will take reasonable steps to ensure that those in your organization abide by these terms. You will also be asked that your organization use reasonable efforts to protect the electronic resource(s) from unpermitted use or misuse of any kind.

A. The following curricula are available: To Be Like Jesus, In the Beginning…Jesus, How Majestic Is Your Name, Faithful to All His Promises, Teach Me Your Way, Abiding in Jesus, The Righteous Shall Live By Faith, and Lord, Teach Us To Pray.

A. First, the ESV is a literal and readable translation, which means that it maintains the original wording as closely as possible while still being readable for those living in today’s culture. As an “essentially literal” translation, the ESV is based closely on the Greek and Hebrew texts of Scripture. Other Bible translations in the “essentially literal” category would include the New American Standard Version, the New King James Version, and the King James Version (which for centuries was considered the standard Bible version of the English-speaking world).

Second, the ESV is a translation that can be used from childhood into adulthood. This eliminates the need for a child to switch from the version he memorized and read as a child to a new version as an adult. In fact, there is an ESV children’s Bible that includes Bible learning aids used in our curricula.

Finally, the ESV allows a church to use one version for older and younger people so the entire church can read and memorize the same version of Scripture together. The version an adult can enjoy using because it is literal is the same version a child can appreciate for its readability. Parents, teachers, students, and children can use the same version of Scripture at church.

A. The lessons in the new ESV curricula are essentially the same as the lessons in the NIV curricula. Solid theology and solid biblical content remain an excellent reason to consider these curricula.

A. Besides the translation changing, some of the wording in the lessons has changed to accommodate the new translation, which attempts to render the Greek and Hebrew wording the same way every time in English.

A. No. Our elementary Sunday School and Midweek Bible curricula will be available in both ESV and NIV. Our Intergenerational curricula and Youth curricula will only be available in the ESV. And our Preschool, Backyard Bible Club, and Nursery curricula will only be available in the NIV.

A. First of all, we are grateful for our ministry partners who have invested in CDG’s NIV curriculum. We desire to make it as easy as possible for you to begin using the ESV. We are offering a conversion discount for those who have previously purchased an NIV Teacher Kit or Leader’s Edition and would like to convert to the ESV. These resources are designed to replace the original Teacher’s Kit and Leader’s Editions that are priced at $45 each. Please call us to receive this discount; our Resource Consultants will work with you to verify proof of purchase. This offer is not available online.

A. You can continue our partnership and further Children Desiring God’s mission of spreading a passion for the Supremacy of Christ. Here’s what you can do.

Option 1 (recommended)

Discard the printed NIV Teacher Kit and Leader’s Editions and sponsor a missionary or ministry in a developing-world country

Identify a missionary or ministry in a developing world country by providing us with their name and email address. CDG will contact and provide them with an electronic version of the Leader’s Edition(s) for each curriculum converted to ESV, identifying you as the sponsoring organization. Sending an electronic version of the Leader’s Edition has numerous financial and logistical benefits, if the recipient is able to access the Internet, download a 1-3MB file, and print the resource.

Option 2

Send the printed NIV Leader’s Edition to a missionary or ministry in a developing country

For missionaries or ministries in developing countries that cannot meet the technical requirements listed in Option 1, this is a good option. Similar to Option 1, we ask that you identify the name and email address of the person to whom you will provide the Leader’s Edition, and then you will take on the financial and logistical tasks of getting this curriculum in their hands.

Option 3

Discard the printed NIV Curriculum

We prefer you choose options 1 or 2, but in the event they are not an option for you, we ask that you discard your printed NIV curriculum once it has been replaced by the ESV. Please do not re-sell NIV curriculum that is converted to ESV.

A. CDG realizes there are ministries in industrialized countries that may not have some of the same challenges. By all means, encourage them to contact Children Desiring God cdg@desiringgod.org to see what opportunities may exist.

A. Teacher’s Kit

The conversion resource contains everything that is currently 3-hole punched in the Teacher Kit. In addition, a Visual Resource CD containing PDFs of the Resource Packet and Parent Resource Pages, and new spine and cover printed inserts are included.

Leader’s Edition

A new and complete ESV coil-bound Leader’s Edition.

A. The conversion program is set up to manage the conversion from printed NIV to printed ESV.