Sample Curriculum Design for a Local Church

In one of my short visits to my home town (Brooke’s Point, Palawan), I was asked to meet a
group of simple folks (adult men and women) and do a Bible study lesson to them. I could
choose any topic. After much thinking and praying, I came up with this lesson design. I am
following the Vella Framework (for the description of the Steps, I am using the present
tense).

WHO
Adult men and women (30-50 yrs old), simple folks, mostly high school graduates, regular
church attenders, around 20-25 of them.
They are eager to learn.

WHY
Bible study is something important for these men and women. They know that they can
learn more and can grow in Christ.

SO THAT
Participants in this BS should have learned to mine nuggets of gold from God’s Word. Bible
study should also help them to learn the skill of studying God’s Word on their own.

WHEN
Sunday afternoon at 3-5pm with merienda. Total teaching time would be 1 hour and
40mins.

WHERE
At the big SS room ( made of bamboo and nipa), breezy and spacious, with chairs.

WHAT (the content or Head, Heart and Hand) A carefully-constructed set of skills,
information, and perspectives to focus on in the learning.

Knowledge or the Big Idea: Biblical meaning of wisdom; characteristics of men and women
who have modeled wisdom;
Skill: How to practice wisdom
Value: Gaining wisdom is the goal of adult learning.
Key verses: Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; James 3:17 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
wisdom.

Materials: Manila papers and markers

WHAT FOR
The achievement-based objectives - A specific description of what learners will do during
the program with each piece of priority content, in order to learn it.

At the end of the session, the participants should have:

1. Expressed their pre-understanding of what biblical wisdom is.
 2. Identified biblical characters who they think have modeled biblical wisdom.
3. Come up with their own definition of what biblical wisdom is.
4. Shared situations where they can practice biblical wisdom.

HOW
Instructional Design with Learning Tasks or LT - A flexible, yet structured, process
through which all learners build their skills and share their learning.

Activities and Learning Tasks Assessment

Singing, getting to know one another, and prayer
(10 mins)
Introduction of the theme of biblical wisdom, why it is important,
reading Proverbs 1:7; 9:10 and James 3:17 in Tagalog version (5
mins)
Exploring the pre-understanding of wisdom. Objective 1
LT1: Divide the participants into 5 groups. Each group has a
Manila paper and a marker. They will share how they
understand wisdom, with examples and write on Manila paper.
Facilitator summarizes their pre-understanding. (15 mins)
LT2: Each group will identify biblical characters who they think Objective 2
have modeled biblical wisdom. They will choose one and discuss
together why they think the character has modeled biblical
wisdom. They will write their observations and share with
everyone. (30 mins)
LT3: The participants will now update their initial definition of Objective 3
biblical wisdom and add their discoveries based on the lives of
biblical characters. (5 mins)
Short Lecture: Facilitator adds to the definition they have come
up already. Previous research of the Hebrew word Hokmah and
the Greek word Sophia render a definition of wisdom that is
connected to intimacy with God. In other words, when we
develop a close relationship with God, we develop godly wisdom.
The “fear of the Lord” is more of reverential fear that is connected
to loving God more. This is seen in the lives of Abraham, Moses,
David, Mary, Paul and more who loved God more and were able
to practice godly wisdom in all that they do. Facilitator now
assists them in giving an expanded definition of what biblical
wisdom is. Questions will be entertained. (10 mins).
LT4: In small groups. Participants share in what practical ways Objective 4
they can grow in godly wisdom. (20 mins)
Facilitator now wraps up the meeting. Reading Proverbs 1: 7;
9:10 and James 3:17. Facilitator opens the floor for questions.
Then Closing Prayer (5 mins)