The Old Testament
Kara Powell, General Editor
GospelLight, Kanuary 2011, 192pp., $12.99
Choosing the proper curriculum can be a daunting chore for youth workers. It is common to find lesson after lesson full of the same shallow Sunday School answers they work so hard to avoid. Forunately, the aptly named Uncommon Series from Gospel Light provides a dozen fantastic lessons on the Old Testament that won’t disappoint.
There is a great deal of flexibility in the lessons, which allows youth workers to craft the perfect sequence for their specific group. The 12 lessons are divided into two units, which can be done consecutively or independently. Within each lesson, there are multiple activities to kickstart the lesson time and different options for how to approach the material. It’s as simple as choosing the option that best fits your group. Links to handouts also are provided, streamlining preparation and doing away with unsightly photocopies.
The visual aids are memorable and among the best you’ll find in a curriculum, combining hands-on learning with easy-to-understand points. The book appreciates the learning styles (and limitations) of junior high students without being patronizing. It isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics, but knows better than to start talking over the heads of junior high youth.
This Old Testament study is a youth worker’s best friend, encouraging them to tailor lessons specifically for their teens while equipping them with high-caliber illustrations and insights. Such a perfect combination of spiritual depth and active learning is uncommon indeed.
