Following the successful launch of the Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD)-wide “Alive in Jesus” (AIJ) Children’s Sabbath School curriculum training in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, a series of similar training sessions are now being held across the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM) territory. These sessions, running from August to December, aim to introduce the new AIJ curriculum and guide participants in effectively applying it both in Sabbath School classrooms and at home.
In Sarawak Seventh-day Adventist Mission (SAK), AIJ Train the Trainers sessions took place from August 21-24 at Badul Homestay, Singgai. The sessions, coordinated by Mrs. Yvonne Jabang, the SAK Children’s Ministries director, were attended by twenty-four selected Children’s Ministries Leaders representing the twelve zones in the Sarawak Mission field. With the help of Mrs. Rachel Reda, a Children’s Ministries EXCo member who also attended the AIJ training in Kuala Lumpur, Mrs. Yvonne introduced AIJ and provided a live, step-by-step demonstration of how to teach the Baby Steps (0-12 months) and Beginner (1-3 years) classes. While Mrs. Rachel introduced the attendees to various learning and teaching strategies that incorporate Bloom’s Taxonomy, the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and Brain-Based Learning. The interactive and informative sessions ended with a planning and strategy session. Equipped and motivated, the trainers are now offering the same training to Sabbath School teachers in their respective zones from August to December this year.
In Sabah Adventist Mission (SAB), one hundred thirty-eight children’s leaders, Children’s Sabbath School teachers, and parents gathered for a mission-wide AIJ Training at Pusat Istirehat Advent Kundasang (PIAK), a scenic retreat at the base of Mount Kinabalu. The training took place from September 6 – 8, 2024. During the event, Mrs. Faridah Lausin, the MAUM Children’s Ministries Director, explained the Foundation and Pillars of the AIJ Curriculum, highlighting its goals and potential to help children develop a Biblical worldview. Husband-and-wife team Mr. Donny Chin and Mrs. Rohani Abdul Karim who are Special Needs educators from Kota Kinabalu SDA Church Likas shared practical teaching strategies for working with special needs children, as well as discipline techniques for managing inattentive children in Sabbath School class. Mrs. Rozelene Gulon, SAB Children’s Ministries Director; Mrs. Linda Lagason, SAB Women’s Ministries Director; and Mrs. Fanny Humphrey, Children’s Ministries Coordinator for Region 9, took turns demonstrating how to conduct Parent Time sessions and teach the Baby Steps and Beginner classes.
Meanwhile, in the Peninsular Malaysia Mission (PEM), thirty-eight children’s leaders attended a three-day online session from October 4-6, 2024. The session focused on the theoretical aspects of the new curriculum, current issues affecting our children, children’s faith development, and effective teaching strategies for today’s young generations. The speakers included MAUM Children’s Ministries Director, Mrs. Faridah Lausin; PEM Children’s Ministries Director, Mrs. Christine Tan; and Mrs. Esther Goh, an educator and passionate children’s advocate from Petaling Jaya SDA Chinese Church. Mrs. Christine has scheduled multiple training sessions across the Central, Northern, and Southern regions in October and November this year to support the transition from GraceLink to AIJ at the church level. She shared her hopes, saying, “It is my prayer that at least 12 churches (20%) would agree to kick start this new curriculum in 2025. With the 20% being the pioneers, I believe many will be able to see the blessing that this new curriculum will bring, and they too will join in the change soon.”
The AIJ curriculum is being rolled out in phases, replacing the current Gracelink curriculum, starting with Baby Steps (0-12 months) and Beginner (1-3 years) classes. These two age groups will be officially launched in January 2025. Both the Baby Steps and Beginner Sabbath School programs include age-appropriate activities that integrate music, visuals, and physical movement within the Sabbath School classroom, accompanied by creative worship and personal reflection ideas designed to extend the worship experience at home.
A significant addition to the new curriculum is the Parent Book for Baby Steps, which provides parents with Spirit of Prophecy-based guidance on parenting, and a weekly The Heart of the Matter reflection for parents of Beginners. This resource is especially valuable for young parents, supporting both their parenting journey and personal spiritual growth.
The Children’s Ministries Department of MAUM encourages all church members to embrace the new Children’s Sabbath School curriculum, as it is designed to help children develop a strong Biblical foundation and worldview in an increasingly secular society.
Reported by Faridah Lausin, Children’s Ministries Director, MAUM
30, October 2024, Wednesday.