A Guide to Using Themes Understand the character and nature of God.

1. A devotional resource for teaching about the character and nature of God

The Themes devotional material teaches children about the character and nature of God. There are seven levels, beginning with age 5 and progressing through to age 12. Each of level contains teaching units designed around attributes such as…

God is creator, God is love, God is truth, God is patient, God is provider, God is life

Each unit contains bible passages, bible stories, modern-day stories, Christian testimonies, songs and activities, all centered around a theme. For example, the theme could be God is provider. As children work through the activities, they become convinced that God really is a provider, and that His power can be demonstrated in our life.

2. A tool for relating God and His word with the world around us

School teachers and home educators can take the thematic approach one step further, and actually use the character of God themes for integration with academic subjects. For example, a study of food, could be linked to the God is Provider theme. A study of different cultural groups could be linked with the God is Love theme.

When using Themes as a tool for integrating science, social studies, history or geography with God and the Bible, teachers can select relevant sections. Using the Themes in this way you do not work through the books from cover to cover, as you would for a devotional or Sunday School program.

A Guide to Using Themes may be down-loaded. (See above link). This gives many ideas for linking science, social science, history, geography and health with the devotional themes based on the character and nature of God. As children see God in all they are learning, they develop a deeper relationship with the Creator. They see God as part of their learning and not as a separate compartment, confined to bible study lessons.

3. A student reading resource

Stories from the Themes devotional guide provides excellent student reading material written from a Christian perspective.  There is a variety of Christian fiction, biographies and modern day testimonies. There are stories of heroes of the faith, such as Brother Andrew, Corrie Ten Boom, John Flynn, Helen Keller, Florence Nightingale, Hudson Taylor and many more. There are also modern day miracles, which stand alongside the miracles of the Bible. Did you know that Corrie Ten Boom's story of the precious vitamin drops, is just a modern-day version of the multiplication of the oil and meal for the Shunammite woman of 2nd Kings? The YWAM story of the fish that jumped ashore by the hundreds is a modern-day version of the Great Catch. These are just two of the many modern day miracles contained in Themes devotional guides.

Students will be amazed as they read these stories of God's love, protection, provision and so on. These stories teach that God is real and working today. They also help children develop trust and confidence in God as their Father, Lord and Saviour.

I Can Read Bible Stories

For beginner readers, from ages 5 - 7, these are specially designed Bible stories with simple vocabulary, linking with the Themes material. These also come with activity sheets.

Stories of Faith

For students ages 8 and over, these stories from the Themes devotional material can be downloaded, with additional student work sheets.

Why teach the character of God?

How does a program founded on God's character change our lives?

As we come to understand each attribute of God's character, a personal response is required of us. Themes for Kids material is based on the following attributes:

God is Creator

Standing in awe of the creator; praising Him for His great works; understanding that God created the world in 6 days and not millions of years.

Related attributes: God is powerful; God is provider

God is Love

Loving God as He first loved us; feeling loved and accepted by God and others; loving others; reaching out to a world desperately in need of love.

Related attributes: God is Shepherd; God is patient and kind; God is faithful

God is Wise/Wisdom

Acknowledging that God knows more than we do; allowing Him to be in charge of our life.

Related attributes: God is truth

God is Protector

Trusting in God as Father; feeling safe and secure in His care.

Related attributes: God is peace; God is provider

God is Powerful

Expecting to witness His supernatural power in our lives; allowing the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through us; relying on God's power and not our own strength.

Related attributes: God is creator; God is healer; God is protector

God is Truth

Believing God's word and obeying God's word; discerning truth in the world about us.

Related attributes: God is wisdom; God is creator

God is Pure

Understanding that we are fallen; asking God to forgive us; living in right relationship with God and others.

Related attributes: God is Holy; God is Saviour; God is judge

God is Patient

Being patient with others; having self-control; waiting for God to answer prayer.

Related attributes: God is a servant; God is love

God is a Servant

Serving God and others with humility.

Related attributes: God is humble; God is love; God is a redeemer

God is Life

Receiving God's gift of eternal life; accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour; knowing the joy that Jesus gives.

Related attributes: God is Saviour; God is joy; God is creator

God is Provider

Trusting God as father; thanking God for His provision.

Related attributes: God is love; God is creator; God is faithful; God is powerful

God is Peace

Experiencing inner peace; feeling safe and secure in God's care; being a peace-maker.

Related attributes: God is Saviour; God is redeemer; God is protector; God is reconciler