Session & Seminar Information

General Sessions

Session 1—9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
A Vision for the Spiritual Training of the Next Generation
David & Sally Michael
The efforts of Christian parents, church workers, and anyone serious about nurturing children's faith are more effective when they are motivated by a biblical, God-centered, Christ-exalting vision for the next generation.

Session 2—11:15 a.m.-Noon
Partnering with Parents
David & Sally Michael
The church has a unique responsibility to come alongside parents, equipping and resourcing them to fulfill their God-given responsibility to train the next generation to know and treasure Jesus above all else.

Elective Seminar 1 — 1:00-2:15 p.m.

Seminar 1A
Sustaining the Vision
David Michael
A vision for training the next generation doesn't just need to be caught; it also needs to be sustained. We invite pastors and CE leaders to come for practical pastoral advice from David and Sally, who have worked to sustain the vision in an ever-growing congregation. Sustaining the vision requires commitment, but is well worth the effort.

Seminar 1B
How to Talk about Big Truths to Little People
Sally Michael
Little people can learn big truths, but we must be able to communicate those big truths—complex theological concepts—in a way that children can understand them. Understanding how children learn can point us to some guidelines for explaining truth in child-friendly ways.

Seminar 1C
Lesson Preparation & Presentation
Jill Nelson
Teaching children is a privilege from God. Teaching them well is dependent on heart preparation, studying the lesson before teaching, and effective presentation. New teachers and experienced teachers will benefit from this session. Included will be safeguards to help you avoid the common pitfalls in teaching.

Seminar 1D
Introduction to the CDG Curriculum
Jim Tomaszewski
Are you new to the CDG curriculum? Come for an overview explaining how the curriculum sequence fits together for building the faith of the next generation. Curriculum components will also be explained for better understanding and maximized implementation.

Elective Seminar 2 — 2:45-4:00 p.m.

Seminar 2A
Profile of a Children's Worker
David & Sally Michael
Challenge children's workers to be passionate about Jesus, lovers of the Word, and equipped to impart a Bible-saturated vision of God to the next generation.

Seminar 2B
Bible Skills for Children
Jill Nelson
Children need to know how to use and study the Bible. These skills are learned as parents and teachers lovingly and dutifully reflect the reality that the Bible is the most important book in the world, and as they cultivate in children a love for the Bible by equipping them with skills in how to use the Bible. The goal is that children will study the Bible as a means to knowing God and treasuring Jesus above all else.

Seminar 2C
Leading Application Time: Connecting Truth & Heart Response
Jim Tomaszewski
Leading application time is the most challenging part of Bible training. Applying truths of the Bible lesson to children's everyday life is essential. This seminar will help you learn how to ask questions, engage in spiritual conversation, and encourage response to the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Seminar 2D
Strategies for Spreading & Junior/Senior High Curriculum Overview
Brian Eaton & Kristin Tabb
In this seminar, we will share what we’re doing at CDG to better equip you with new resources and services (e.g., English Standard Version curriculum, a new distribution model, language translations, and conference plans). We will also introduce the first of our new junior high curricula. Come learn about our sequence for youth, and our resources targeted for nurturing young adults in the disciplines of faith.

We have planned a number of sessions and seminars to provide vision, practical help, and encouragement to benefit leaders, teachers, parents, and all who are invested in ministry to children.

This schedule is subject to change, but we hope that by posting it online you will find it helpful in making plans for yourself and your children's ministry team.
Seminar Schedule (72 KB PDF)

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