It Has Been The Desire of the Tidings Publishing Committee to create a repository of Sunday school lessons and materials that can be easily accessed and downloaded from the Internet. With the huge improvements in computer and printer speed and quality, and the subsequent lowering of costs, it has become possible for almost any ecclesia to access materials for use in their ecclesial Sunday school work. It also becomes a wonderful door of access for those in isolation.
The possibilities for this medium of content delivery are extraordinary and exciting. Not only can lessons and visuals be provided, but, in time, audio clips of music and songs, as well as video clips of people, places and events can be made available to enhance and enrich lessons. Finally, interactive Sunday school lessons can be offered for our children in isolation and for those seeking Bible-based Sunday school instruction.
It is with all these possibilities in mind that this new Sunday school project was commenced. The undersigned have agreed to undertake this project on behalf of the Tidings committee as the managing editors. With the blessing of God, it is our hope to bring this project into existence and to guide its development.
This project will proceed in phases.
Phase One — Call For Lesson Materials & Co-Workers
This phase commences immediately with this general call to all brothers and sisters to share with us copies of their best, most favorite and most successful lessons and materials. Brethren are asked to send these contributions by mail or via Internet to either editor. (Our home and Internet addresses are given below.)
We have deliberately avoided specifying a particular lesson format or sequence of lessons in order to encourage the widest possible level of contribution. The only structure we set out are the age levels for which the materials would be appropriate and Bible content areas. (See end of this article.)
During Phase One the editors will gratefully receive all that brethren willingly donate or recommend for use. We will then adapt and edit the materials to a standard lesson format that is intended to promote and facilitate the very best teaching of God’s Word possible. Materials will either be redone (if not copyrighted) or be used as models for the development of similar materials (if copyrighted). The goal is to create materials of the very highest quality and usefulness as adjuncts to the lessons.
At this time we would also solicit for brothers and sisters willing to offer their artistic talents (to create the high quality materials, illustrations, including those wishing to create musical contributions) and editorial talents (to review for accuracy and teaching impact the proposed lessons). What we would like to have in place is a committed team of brothers and sisters willing to use their time and energies to further this project.
Phase Two — Up & Running on The Web
This phase will signal the true beginnings of a useable Sunday school library of lessons and materials. The files will be accessed via the Tidings web site. They will be organized by age level and Bible subject. The site will be searchable for specific lessons, as well as organized to provide an on-going yearly cycle of Sunday school lessons. The materials will be stored in the Adobe PDF format to make it easy to download and print, though the materials will also be available for a reasonable cost in hard copy for those without the computer facilities.
Beginning with this phase and as an ongoing feature, we will be very happy to receive from brothers and sisters further contributions and refinements to various lessons and materials.
Phase Three — Project Growth & Enhancements
This final phase will work to enlarge the site to provide on-line, interactive Sunday school lessons. This phase may, in all likelihood, begin during Phase Two.
During all phases of this project, beginning November, 2001, the Tidings web site will carry a full description of this project and the Sunday school files as they are gradually created. Please check this site on a regular basis both to see its progress, to try lessons and materials, and to see what you may be able to contribute.
We trust this project will be welcomed not only by the North American community, but by brethren worldwide. It is not intended to be in competition with Sunday school materials currently available. Our desire is rather to offer an alternative curriculum and approach so that in every way and by every means, the word of our God may be effectively and powerfully taught to a new generation. Only through godly instruction can a solid foundation for the future be laid.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One