Shine’s Passport to Peace “invites children to see every person as part of God’s family, and every interaction as an opportunity for peacemaking.”
Cost
$ 199.99 (standard starter kit)
Age Levels
Preschool – Grade 5
Sessions
Overall theme: Peacemaking skills are essential for those who want to follow Jesus’ way of peace. Led by God’s Spirit, we can all participate in creating a more peaceful world.
Day 1: Can We Talk? (Acts 8:26–40)
Day 2: Do You See What I See? (Matthew 25:31–46)
Day 3: I Have an Idea! (1 Samuel 25:1–35)
Day 4: Trouble in the Neighborhood (Genesis 26:12–33)
Day 5: The Road Less Traveled (Luke 10:25–37)
What is included in the basic package?
The Standard Starter Kit Includes (among others):
- Station guides
- Poster pack
- Copy of student booklet
- Music & Resource USB Drive
Strengths
- Curriculum encourages churches to choose a mission offering/project that will be meaningful in their own context. Suggestions provided.
- USB Drive includes music recordings, a Worship PowerPoint for each day, logos, name tags, a book list, and more.
- Thought provoking, open-ended reflection questions.
- The “Media Connections” list for each day offer suggestions for additional books and videos that could be used to enhance learning or adapt activities.
- Multiple options for each rotation station. Supply lists are reasonable.
- Games are cooperative rather than competitive.
Weaknesses
- Each child needs a student booklet. At $6.49 each, this could become expensive for some congregations.
- Heavy use of technology in the opening and closing sessions. Video options for multiple rotation stations. Churches without audio/visual equipment would need to adapt at least the opening and closing sessions.
- Some activities would need to be skipped or adapted in order to include children with different abilities. Curriculum does not provide these adaptations.
Additional Information
The Director’s Guide includes a statement about the curriculum’s approach to cultural sensitivity and information on being culturally sensitive in your own context: “Passport to Peace seeks to celebrate and honor countries and cultures around the world in all their complexity and beauty.” This curriculum uses gender neutral language for God. On day 3, a women is featured as the main character in Bible station. The curriculum does not offer ideas for adapting to hybrid VBS, online VBS, or VBS in a bag.
About the Publisher
Shine typically veers away from more frenetic VBS resources that provide constant activity to emphasize reflection and contemplation when appropriate. Some VBS leaders prefer the quieter, more reflective activities to counter a culture that is always plugged in and moving. Others find Shine’s low-key, unplugged approach appeals to some volunteers who are less interested in creating elaborate decorations and more drawn to appropriate spiritual practices for children. Session themes, which come from carefully selected biblical passages, reflect sound scholarship and interpretation. Theologically the materials focus on God’s presence and embracing love for all people. Both the rhythm of the program and its primary messages encourage learners to a deeper relationship with God. Shine curriculum is co-published by Brethren Press (Church of the Brethren), and MennoMedia, (Mennonite). These churches have a long tradition of strong Christian formation practice, which is reflected in the learning activities and program structure. Both the activities and structure are developmentally appropriate for the targeted age groups of the VBS program. At the same time, the mission component for their programs seems to be an afterthought. VBS leaders may want to find a local outreach project that coincides with the annual theme.
Special thanks to reviewer Sarah Bentley Allred.