Evaluating Curricula

Last week, a colleague asked me about an instrument for evaluating Sunday School curricula. I was happy to point him to the documents that are my point of reference on this question (Sunday School Basic, 2005 CPH, www.cph.org; "How Good Is Your Curriculum?" Teachers Interaction, pp. 14-17, Summer 2012; the TI article is a redaction of a chapter in the book).
Some who choose to use these resources will quickly see, and perhaps object, that the evaluation questions have to do with theology and church practice, not with appearance and instructional methods. Here's why!

How NOT to Evaluate Religious Education Material
A common method for reviewing curriculum uses a series of characteristics, criteria, such as theology, appearance, active learning, cultural diversity, out-standing features. Each criteria is evaluated separately and equally, often with some kind of grading or points system. The curriculum receiving the highest number of points or the highest grade is assumed to be the best curriculum, the one you should purchase.

The problem with this method is that all criteria are not of equal importance in Christian education. (Note the emphasis! I'm not saying that some things may not be important; I'm saying they are not equally important.) In fact, when teaching theology, a curriculum's ability to teach the requisite theology is the first and foremost thing to judge. Imagine the "largest pumpkin" competition as the state fair. No matter how large, attractive, and tasty, the winning pumpkin cannot be a watermelon. You should not even enter a watermelon in the pumpkin contest.

Choosing Materials for a Lutheran Sunday School
Just so, when choosing curricula for your Lutheran Sunday School, you really first need to determine that the curriculum is in fact Lutheran, that it will teach Lutheran theology. There are some very attractive materials on the market from non-Lutheran and non-denominational publishers. And, in order to sell you their watermelons (non-Lutheran materials), they will argue that they should be considered in your pumpkin (Lutheran materials) contest. But they will not teach Lutheran theology. They will teach decision theology, moralism, salvation through works. They will not teach about Law and Gospel or the means of grace. Does it make a difference? You bet! An eternal one! (If you are still thinking that a watermelon might work, review my recent post "Theology Added?")

My argument is that the curriculum needs to meet these minimum standards. If you are able to find several curricula that teach Lutheran theology for Lutheran children, then by all means, choose the one that best fits your needs or most excites your volunteers.

You know that I work for a publishing house that strives to prepare the best possible resources for Lutheran Christian education. I am not without bias. But I am passionate about teaching God's children His Word.