At Hope Centre Ministries, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to deepen their understanding of God’s Word. While there is a lot of children’s material available, we’ve found it often sticks to the same few Bible stories. Our goal is to go deeper—to create a dynamic and engaging curriculum that is simple but not childish, helping individuals with disabilities to grow in their faith.
This belief is the driving force behind our Friendship From Home program. What began as a creative adaptation for the COVID-19 era has evolved into a powerful and consistent way we build community and foster spiritual growth.
A Thoughtfully Designed Curriculum
Our curriculum is in a constant cycle of creation. Each year, we develop five unique units to ensure a well-rounded biblical education. We intentionally choose a broad range of topics to avoid repetition and challenge our members to learn and explore new parts of the Bible. Over the years, we have produced and studied over 25 units, including:
- New Testament Figures: We’ve explored the lives and teachings of figures like Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene, and John.
- Old Testament Stories: We’ve journeyed through the lives of Elijah, Jonah, and Nehemiah, and explored themes from Isaiah and the Psalms.
- Jesus-Centred Studies: We’ve delved into the Stories Jesus Told, the Miracles of Jesus, the Footsteps of Jesus, and the Great I AM.
- Thematic Studies: We’ve tackled topics like Worship: Time with God, Who I am in Christ, and Kingdom Blessings (the Beatitudes).
This depth of study is a testament to our commitment to providing rich, meaningful content that goes well beyond a traditional children’s Bible. It’s an act of love and respect for our members, affirming their ability and desire to engage with God’s Word on a deeper level.
From Concept to Connection: How We Create a Shared Experience
The magic of Friendship From Home is in how we bring the curriculum to life. Our small but mighty team works together to write each unit and prepare the at-home participation kits. It is a meticulous process that creates a unique sense of togetherness and intrigue that transcends the digital divide.
Every lesson is built around three core components, which are placed in individually numbered envelopes for participants to open during the Zoom call.
- WONDER: Each lesson begins with a hands-on item or visual to serve as a hook. This element is designed to spark curiosity and fun, getting everyone thinking about the lesson that will follow.
- EXPLORE: This is where we dive into the Bible story and find answers to our questions. We use visuals from the kits to reinforce abstract concepts with something concrete, helping to make the lesson more relatable and memorable.
- REMEMBER: The final step involves a hands-on activity, often with an item from an envelope and a corresponding journal page. This encourages participants to place themselves in the story, reflect on its meaning, and solidify what they’ve learned.
The participant journal, professionally printed and beautifully designed by our partners at Regehr’s Printing, is a treasured keepsake. It provides a space for members to colour, review the stories, and reflect on their journey of faith.
Join Our Friendship From Home Community
Our Friendship From Home Bible studies combine live Zoom sessions with these at-home kits to create an interactive, engaging, and deeply personal experience. Whether you join a live session or participate at your own pace with our recorded lessons, this program is designed for everyone to connect and grow.
Ready to get started?
We’re so excited to begin this next chapter of Friendship From Home, and we hope you’ll be a part of it. To get started, reach out to us at 204-479-4893 or programs@hopecentreministries.org.
We can’t wait to hear from you and help you get connected!
