Even with brick and mortar schools back in full swing, it’s seemingly impossible for students to successfully meet class requirements without electronic devices.

Daily vocabulary review is conducted through an online curriculum portal. Science tests, though taken in class, can be online only. One teacher engages students in homework through an online game-based quiz platform, while another keeps parents informed through group texting.

Even Parent-Teacher meetings have options for meeting on Zoom. Most school communication is now web-based.

In person, hands-on discipleship is so important. Relationship is important. But could there be more?

Truth be told, the edtech resources developed in the past decade are quite impressive. While Kindergarteners use apps to learn sight words, and second graders play educational games to learn spelling, our older students use technology to collaborate on group assignments, host virtual study sessions and utilize online tutorials when they get stuck.

The fusion of academics and technology has propelled our students to experience learning in a whole new way.

mom and daughter using laptop
Credit:Getty Images/E+/MStudioImages

Discipleship Utilizing Technology

And yet, despite all of these advancements, Christian education remains mostly boxed into a set of activities on a church campus. Which is needed, don’t get us wrong. In person, hands-on discipleship is so important. Relationship is important.

But could there be more? Sure, we’ve incorporated some music and videos, but utilizing technology for proactive, everyday discipleship is limited at best, and often parent-driven.

What if the tools aren’t the issues, but rather how they’re being used? What if we could put excellent digital resources in the hands of our families and churches that leverage how kids are already learning, for Kingdom purposes? Why do we allow our greatest talents to be employed for temporal entertainment, when we could be engaging kids in their faith, the way they know to learn and explore?

It’s time for us to utilize our vast creativity and innovation for Kingdom purposes.

Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.

Wonder Ink Children’s Curriculum

Wonder Ink is working toward this. With our customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word, we understand the need for technology to connect the classroom on Sunday to homes during the week.

Jesus commanded that as we go we are to make disciples—not just at church; not just on Sundays.

Teachers can choose the appropriate lesson length and activities for their unique group, and easily create an experience engaging all learning styles. Wonder Ink enables ongoing communication with parents as you equip them to be part of the spiritual development process of their kids. The family portal and Wonder@Home supplies them with activities and conversation starters for during the week.

Teacher helping student with digital tablet
Credit:Getty Images/Stone/LWA

The Wonder Ink family portal becomes a tailored learning website where a child can interact with Scripture in safe, fun, and age-appropriate environment. It empowers families and invites kids to experience the wonder of God every day, in every way.

Wonder Ink is just the start.

Sharing the Good News

People of all ages need the good news of Jesus every day in every possible way. Jesus commanded that as we go we are to make disciples—not just at church; not just on Sundays. Technology has expanded our reach and put endless opportunities at our fingertips.

As we seek to engage children, youth, and adults with the life-changing message of the Gospel, we have to go where they are (even online) and utilize tools, grounded in Scripture, that will resonate with our community. Right Now.

More Ideas and Insight for Your Church

You can find more insights and ideas for family engagement in our free guide: What If We’re Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To).