Religious Education

The pastors of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Good Shepherd Preschool staff lead students in bi-weekly chapels. During chapels, children experience Christian fellowship through songs, Bible stories, and contemporary tales reflecting Christian values. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend these 15-minute programs. 

After chapels, teachers reinforce the chapel message within the week through retelling the Bible story or leading a discussion with the children. Children and teachers also say a simple grace before lunch or snack and end each day with a prayer of "God bless everyone." Some songs included as part of our music program, such as "Jesus Loves Me" and "This Is the Day," include Christian messages.

Do I or my child have to be Lutheran or members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to enroll at Good Shepherd Preschool? 

No! Good Shepherd Preschool welcomes people of all faiths to its preschool program. We are part of a diverse community here in Montgomery County, and we strive to be sensitive to the needs of preschool families of different religions or denominations. We encourage families to share their culture with their child's teachers and class and believe these multicultural experiences enrich our overall program.

Our family belongs to a different Christian denomination. Will chapel be relevant to our children?

Yes! Our chapel program is tailored toward preschoolers and only covers very basic Christian values and ideas common to Christians of almost every denomination. We teach tales from the Bible, such as the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. We also offer thematic chapels that teach children basic Christian concepts, such as that we are all part of God's family, that Jesus loves us, and that we should take good care of our world. 

We are a mission of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which is a mainstream Protestant Christian congregation and member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can read more specifically about what Lutherans believe at their websites. 

How does being a Christian program influence your school's teaching of science and other secular subjects?

Good Shepherd Preschool's curriculum is aligned with Maryland's College and Career Ready Standards and state curriculum for Pre-K, which provide guidelines for classroom instruction in science and other academic subjects. Most religious education happens as part of our chapel program. We include some Christian songs, such as "Jesus Loves Me" or "This Is the Day," in our weekly music classes, and teachers often plan some religious-themed art projects during the year, especially around holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Our program in general is focused on creative play, hands-on exploration, problem solving, and building social and emotional skills. However, you can read more about what our church believes on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website.

I am looking for a church home or for Sunday School for my children. Can you offer recommendations?

For families looking for a church home or additional Christian education, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church offers weekly services and Sunday School for both children and adults. Each summer, our church also offers kids a fun Vacation Bible School program, to which all preschool families are invited. The church and preschool co-sponsor a lot of programming tailored to young families, such as the monthly Family Movie Night and special events such as the annual Character Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a mainstream Protestant church and one of the largest Christian denominations in the country. Learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at its website, goserve.net.