Al Lawson, children’s minister at Lake Murray Baptist Church, Irmo, knows firsthand how much a special needs adult can enjoy Vacation Bible School.
Al Lawson with Kristin Lawson, left, and Katy Corbett, both of Lake Murray Baptist Church.His daughter Kristin is a young adult with moderate mental retardation.
“She is a blessing to our family and our ministry,” said Lawson.
In every church where the Lawsons have served, they have started or further developed special education ministries. For the past 10 years, Lawson has also written special education Sunday school lessons for LifeWay, but this year marks the first year to write a VBS curriculum especially geared to special education.
“We know the journey from preschool to adulthood as parents, family, teacher and minister,” said Lawson.
The curriculum is written for special needs youth and adults and provides lessons for a self-contained special education group centered on the “Game Day Central” theme. The curriculum also includes a CD that provides pictures, games, puzzles and other materials.
Lawson says though the curriculum is written for adults, it can be easily adapted for special needs children.
Since most churches may not have enough children or adults with special needs to fill a class, the curriculum can be adapted to various settings as well.
“It is okay to include a child with special needs in a regular VBS class, as long as you provide additional leadership to help meet the needs of that child,” said Lawson.
In fact, including individuals with special needs in as much of VBS as possible is encouraged, and then use the special education curriculum for Bible study.
Lawson will lead a class on the special education curriculum during Lexington Baptist Association’s VBS clinic April 10, 6:30-9 p.m., at Lake Murray Baptist Church.
Encouraged by the interest in the curriculum, Lawson said, “My interest in writing is that I feel it is a way to use some of the abilities God has given me and a way for me to contribute some of my life experiences to help other families and teachers.”