On the hunt for Sunday School curriculum...

After my experience at KidTropolis, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Sunday School could be something more, something truly transformational. I set out on a mission to find the perfect curriculum, convinced it had to be out there. I scoured the internet, downloading every sample I could find, borrowed books from other churches, and spoke with peers in the field. I even called churches across the country hoping someone had the answer. But no matter how much I searched, nothing connected with the vision in my mind. Each resource fell short, leaving me frustrated and stuck.

Despite all those months of searching not producing what I expected, the process helped me clarify what I was looking for. I started a checklist and began adding items like this:

• Lessons should tell God’s story in a way that sparks children’s imagination while also encouraging critical thinking, a grasp of historical context, and a lifelong love of Scripture.

• Activities should cater to a variety of learning styles to engage every child and make the biblical narrative come to life.

• Each lesson should avoid gimmicks, focusing instead on meaningful activities that deepen faith and connect strongly to the core message.

• The experience should be infused with fun and energy, not just for the children but for the volunteers too.

• The entire approach should be sustainable, ensuring it can thrive over time.

You might notice some recurring themes from my earlier "do better" list. After nearly a year of this journey, I was discouraged. My mind was overloaded with information, and I began to realize that the work ahead was going to be more daunting than I had anticipated.

So, I made a decision—I put the books away and resolved to take a break.

But then I ended up in a small church for a cousins wedding in rural Manitoba. Read about what happened next here.