An experiential curriculum for Vacation Bible School and other Christian Education settings.

Join us in beginning the adventure of a life time!  Travel to distant sites and discover the Kingdom of God.
 
 

WHAT?

    Pilgrimage is designed to help participants seek a spiritual direction in today's world.  Using a "pilgrimage" theme, the program recreates life in the middle ages.  Participants journey as pilgrims to distant sites to learn from the lives of both biblical and historical people of faith.
    As a way of learning the truth that life is a spiritual journey, participants are guided through five sessions that help them seek to know themselves and others as well as to seek to know God as Creator, Savior, and Holy Spirit.  On this pilgrimage, travelers find the "road map" that leads toward life's ultimate destination – the Kingdom of God, a destination that is discovered within each heart, demonstrated in relationships with others, revealed by the work of the Creator, made possible through the gift of the Savior, and empowered by the active presence of the Holy Spirit.
     Modern day pilgrims find inspiration for their journey by exploring the stories of those who have traveled this way before.  The role-models of biblical and historical people of faith, and related scripture passages based on the teachings of Jesus, offer lessons that demonstrate what it means to follow Christ's command to seek first the Kingdom of God.

WHEN?

     In Pilgrimage:  Seeking The Kingdom Of God learning occurs within a role playing experience set in the time period of the middle ages – a time when many Christians sought to go on pilgrimages as a demonstration of their faith and as a way to seek God's presence in their lives.
     Christians today still go on pilgrimage, some literally, but everyone symbolically.  Life itself is a journey; but for the faithful, seeking the Kingdom of God is life's purpose.
     Appropriate for contemporary pilgrims, this curriculum is designed around a traditional Vacation Bible School schedule, but is readily adapted for use in many other Christian education settings.

WHERE?

     Each Session is set in a different location based on the site of a common medieval pilgrimage destination.  During their imaginary journey, participants learn about the life and legacy of a saint revered during the middle ages and pretend to make the trek to see and hear the story for themselves.  The five destinations include:  Rome, Italy; Canterbury, England; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Dunfermline, Scotland; and Croagh Patrick, Ireland.  As a result of their travels, pilgrims learn the importance of seeking a spiritual direction for their own lives today.
     Large group instruction takes place in the "pilgrim gathering" and the opening and closing "town assemblies" while small group teaching and encouragement occurs in "guild meetings."  Each day participants visit the "street fair."  There, activities and projects help create an understanding of the pilgrimage destination and help demonstrate how each person of faith followed the example of Jesus.

WHO?

     Pilgrimage:  Seeking The Kingdom Of God is designed to be experienced by children; however, people of all ages will benefit from the adventure.  All participants – staff and students – are considered "pilgrims" as they travel and learn together about the saints and sites visited.  Recreating the social structure of the middle ages, everyone works together in small groups called "guilds."  Adult leaders, known as "master craftsmen" and youth helpers, called "journeymen," guide participants, the "apprentices," through the learning activities.  Additional assistance in creating the learning environment is provided by "storytellers," "street fair artisans" and other pilgrimage personnel.
     The focus for each pilgrimage is based on the lives of people who followed Jesus' example, called saints.  Their stories have inspired pilgrims of every age to find the spiritual strength necessary to continue life's journey of faith.  The lives of two biblical saints – Simon Peter and James the Greater – as well as three historic saints – Thomas Becket, Margaret of Scotland, and Patrick – exemplify ways to seek the Kingdom of God.

WHY?

     The Pilgrimage experience provides a holistic approach for teaching stories of faith that guide modern day travelers to seek a spiritual direction for life in today's world.  Creating a cooperative atmosphere for learning meets student's and staff's needs for love and belonging.  Satisfying the natural human need for power and self-worth, this curriculum allows participants to choose to explore their interests, gives them opportunities to share and express their own creativity, and provides ways to build self-confidence and competencies through knowledge of the scriptures.  Enough structure is build into the design to provide safety and security for the group, yet each person is also given freedom to develop individually.  Also, Pilgrimage is fun!  Role-playing, imagining, and discovering are sources of human delight and meet our God-given need to create.  Finally, learning to seek the Kingdom of God fulfills life's purpose and gives meaning to life's journey.  The Pilgrimage experience teaches that security is found in the One who travels with us, guiding us safely to our destination.

HOW?

     That's what this resource is about!!!

    Pilgrimage:  Seeking The Kingdom Of God is now available for download.  It can be ordered from Leader Resources at www.LeaderResources.org or by calling 1-800-941-2218.  Pilgrimage is $74.95 by download.  An optional backup CD is available for an additional $10.00, shipping included.