Ministry Activities
What We Do and Why
The goal of LifeSong International is to foster a passion in girls for our Lord Jesus Christ that is characterized by genuine relationship, effective witnessing, and dedicated service. LifeSong International provides Bible-based, full-year curriculums for girls ages 7-12 that are administered through local churches. The core of the program is a lesson design which teaches girls to discern between world views and God’s Truth by becoming scholars of God’s Word.
LifeSong International provides comprehensive, ready-to-use packages of class resources, teacher guides, and lesson materials, complete with step-by-step instructions for Group Leaders. In addition, LifeSong provides live training for all Group Leaders to ensure they are equipped, confident, and able to be effective as teachers and leaders. All materials are supplied at-cost and live training is provided free of charge.
Girls participating in the program are referred to as “Scholars” in order to impress upon them the caliber of training they will receive. Emphasis is placed upon confidence in God’s Word and wisdom in distinguishing it from world views. A key focus of the program is to instill a sense of true Godly worth in the girls that counters the ever-pressing messages of the world.
What the Program Entails
Through engaging, lifeskill-enhancing activities, girls grow in their confidence in the Bible and knowledge of our awesome Creator, increase their enthusiasm and understanding for worship, and learn about sharing their faith and Christ’s love for others. Each lesson is age-specific and designed to provide time for fun and fellowship directed by local church members that serve as Group Leaders.
Overall, the program is designed to teach girls who God is through His Word so that they develop an understanding of what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. In addition, the program teaches the girls to recognize Biblical characteristics of being a Godly young woman.
How the Program Works
Local churches register with LifeSong and obtain program Fact Sheets to promote interest in the program. Churches then identify Group Leaders and determine the number of girls participating in the program for the coming calendar year. LifeSong provides all the participant resources, teachers’ guides, and lesson materials. Additionally, live training for all Group Leaders is provided by LifeSong in mid-January.
The curriculum is designed to begin in late January and end in late November or early December each year with a special graduation ceremony at the conclusion of the year. This allows the girls to participate in a graduation ceremony that is timed so as not to coincide with other graduation events.
The curriculum is designed to provide 16 classes between late January and May (one per week with a week off for Spring Break) and then 14 classes between August and November. There are a total of 30 lessons for the year, each lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Girls that participate in the program one year may continue to participate in future years by advancing through progressively higher levels of the curriculum.
How the Lessons are Arranged
Lessons begin with prayer and worship and then focus on learning and discussing a message from the Bible. Time is provided to scrutinize countering world views. Each lesson includes activities designed to reinforce the meaning and significance of the Biblical lesson. In addition, these activities are constructed to give the girls an opportunity to practice important lifeskills such as written and oral communication.
The girls are also encouraged to use their creativity and resourcefulness in a variety of activities fashioned to provide a chance to enhance and apply these skills in pursuits that range from developing mini Biblical “infomercials” to practicing a public address.
What the Curriculum Entails
The LifeSong curriculum is divided into nine age and level-specific groups designed to allow girls to participate for up to a total of six years in the program. Depending upon the age of the girl when she enters the program, each curriculum level provides a wide range of activities and studies that increase their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and help them to develop confidence in who they are in Christ. The curriculum is intended to encourage the development of key Biblical characteristics and promote growth towards becoming mature young women of God.
Ideally, girls begin the program at age 7 and have the opportunity to participate in all curriculum levels. However, the program is designed so that girls may start at any age between 7 and 12. Girls that matriculate at an older age can still experience the core portions of the curriculum.
The program is divided into progressive categories as follows: Levels I through III, Apprentice I and II, and Senior Scholars. The progression through the program is designed to be stepped, with each higher level building upon material presented in previous years.
All girls begin at Level I for their age group – either Level I for ages 7-9 or Level I for ages 10-12. After completing Level I, each girl may advance to the next curriculum level sequentially. Girls that begin at age 7 and complete Levels I through III may elect to take Apprentice I and II. Girls that complete the Apprentice programs may then enroll in the Senior Scholars program – the highest level available.
Level I: Young Ladies Passionate for Christ
For girls ages 7-9
This is the first of three core foundation courses. Its focus is on developing a relationship with Jesus. It is designed to assist the girls in using God’s Word to develop a full understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By explaining the Gospel in an in-depth way, girls will learn from the Bible who Jesus is, why we need a Savior, and what it means to ask Him to be our personal Lord and Savior. This course explores the meaning of relationship with Him in the Bible, and nurtures familiarity, comfort, and confidence in God’s Word. This course also sets the groundwork for countering the world’s messages against belief in God’s Word and His plan for our lives. Activities at this level are designed to reinforce Biblical lessons about who Jesus is, and the importance of having a relationship with Him. In addition, this course will help develop Godly characteristics and train the girls how to become proper, un-worldly young women of God. Lesson topics include: Godly characteristics, dress, modesty, and communicating our love for the Lord.
Level II: Young Ladies of Noble Character
For girls ages 7-9
For girls that have completed Level I. This is the second of three core foundation courses. Its focus is on nurturing Godly characteristics in the girls. Biblical lessons focus on the characteristics of Christians and Godly qualities for girls and women. It is designed to assist the girls in using God’s Word to develop a full understanding of who they are in Christ and what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. This course explores the meaning of a renewed spirit and being set-apart from the world. Activities at this level are designed to reinforce Biblical lessons about how the world’s behavior and beliefs are different, and how we can guard ourselves from taking part in un-Godly behavior and thinking. Activities include one-on-one practice sharing the Gospel, speaking publicly, dress, poise, and manners, and journaling.
Level III: Gifted Young Ladies Uniquely Created to Serve Him
For girls ages 7-9
For girls that have completed Levels I and II. This is the third and last of three core foundation courses. Its focus is on nurturing a desire to serve Him and the Body of Christ. Role models of Godly women are reviewed including becoming Biblically-defined Godly wives, mothers, and teachers. Opportunities to serve Him are introduced. Biblical lessons focus on our unique, God-given talents, and the many ways we can live a life for His Glory. Activities at this level are designed to help the girls feel confident about who they are in Christ and how serving God should be the focus of our lives. Lessons reinforce Biblical instruction on putting God first in all that we do. Activities include serving the local church, serving each other, and serving our families at home.
Level I: Young Ladies Passionate for Christ
For girls ages 10-12
This is the first level for girls starting the program between the ages of 10 and 12. This course covers the same material as Level I for girls of ages 7-9, however, the materials and activities are more advanced to be age-appropriate for this older group. This is the first of three core foundation courses. Its focus is on developing a relationship with Jesus. It is designed to assist the girls in using God’s Word to develop a full understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By explaining the Gospel in an in-depth way, girls will learn from the Bible who Jesus is, why we need a Savior, and what it means to ask Jesus to be our personal Lord and Savior. This course explores the meaning of relationship with Him in the Bible, and nurtures familiarity, comfort, and confidence in God’s Word. This course also sets the groundwork for countering the world’s messages against belief in God’s Word and His plan for our lives. Activities at this level are designed to reinforce Biblical lessons about who Jesus is, and the importance of having a relationship with Him. In addition, this course will help develop Godly characteristics and train the girls how to become proper, un-worldly women of God.
Level II: Young Ladies of Noble Character
For girls ages 10-12
For girls that have completed either Level I for girls ages 7-9 or 10-12 and are now between the ages of 10 and 12. This course covers the same material as Level II for girls of ages 7-9, however, the materials and activities are more advanced to be age-appropriate for this older group. This is the second of three core foundation courses. Its focus is on nurturing Godly characteristics in the girls. Biblical lessons focus on the characteristics of Christians and Godly qualities for girls and women. It is designed to assist the girls in using God’s Word to develop a full understanding of who they are in Christ and what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. This course explores the meaning of a renewed spirit and being set-apart from the world. Activities at this level are designed to reinforce Biblical lessons about how the world’s behavior and beliefs are different, and how we can guard ourselves from taking part in un-Godly behavior and thinking.
Level III: Gifted Young Ladies Uniquely Created to Serve Him
For girls ages 10-12
For girls that have completed either Level II for girls ages 7-9 or 10-12 and are now between the ages of 10 and 12. This course covers the same material as Level III for girls of ages 7-9, however, the materials and activities are more advanced to be age-appropriate for this older group. This is the third and last of three core foundation courses. Its focus is on nurturing a desire to serve Him and the Body of Christ. Role models of Godly women are reviewed including becoming Biblically-defined Godly wives, mothers, and teachers. Opportunities to serve Him are introduced. Biblical lessons focus on our unique, God-given talents, and the many ways they can be used for His Glory. Activities at this level are designed to help the girls feel confident about who they are in Christ and how serving God should be the focus of our lives. Lessons reinforce Biblical instruction on putting God first in all that we do.
Apprenticeships Levels I and II
For girls ages 10-12 who have completed Levels I-III
Apprentice I and II Levels are designed to provide girls the opportunity to serve as role models in the program by assisting Group Leaders with lesson activities. Apprentices lead prayers, encourage the girls, and assist the leaders in a variety of ways depending on their unique gifts. Additionally, these girls will conduct Biblical research on topics that interest them and are relevant to the program. In this way, the girls become a productive and contributing part of the program, and learn to serve in the ministry and bear fruit for our Lord.
The Senior Scholars Program
For girls age 12 who have completed Apprentice I-II
This curriculum is designed to allow girls to apply the knowledge and experience they have gained through completing the core foundation curriculums (Levels I-III) and the apprenticeships. This program gives the girls an opportunity to serve in the ministry by helping create materials for the core and apprenticeship levels. Activities include identifying role models, conducting interviews, and participating in video productions. In addition, as they did in the Apprenticeship programs, these girls will conduct Biblical research on topics that interest them and are relevant to the program. In this way, the girls continue to be a productive and contributing part of the program, and learn to value serving in the ministry and bearing fruit for our Lord.
Complete curriculum in Spanish coming in 2009!!
How Local Programs are Organized
Ideally, girls should be placed in groups of 5 per Group Leader with a maximum of 10 girls per leader. These numbers are recommended as the ideal pairing ratio to offer the best opportunity for interaction and individual attention.
Depending on the number of girls participating in the program, the girls should be grouped according to age as follows:
Group 1 - ages 7 and 8
Group 2 – ages 9 and 10
Group 3 – ages 11 and 12
Alternatively, if fewer girls are participating, the girls may be grouped as follows:
Group 1 - ages 7, 8 and 9
Group 2 – ages 10, 11 and 12
Important Dates to Remember
Churches should register no later than January 4, 2008 to start the Spring semester on January 21, 2008.
Materials are shipped to be received by local churches January 7th -11th 2008.
Live Group Leader training takes place the week of January 14th -18th 2008.
The 1st lesson is conducted the week of January 21st 2008.
Why Graduation is Important
A very special graduation ceremony will be conducted at the end of the year to recognize the girls for their achievements. The ceremonies involve Group Leaders, parents, and girls, and acknowledge the work, commitments, and accomplishments of the girls during the year. To facilitate this process, Group Leaders are asked to keep accurate attendance and activity participation records throughout the year to support the graduation ceremony acknowledgements.
