The Young Peacemaker is a curriculum that gives parents and teachers a way to teach their children/students how to resolve conflict and make peace the Biblical way. In the preface, the author, Corlette Sande, states that it is not enough to just tell students that they need to resolve their conflicts the Bible way. We must also show them how to do this.

The Goals of the Program section is provided to encourage students to resolve the conflicts in their lives in a Godly manner and to, in the long run, develop strong inter-personal relationships. This curriculum can be used for homeschool, Christian school, Sunday School, and family devotions. It can be adjusted for each setting.

There are twelve key principles for Young Peacemakers in which the student learns the different aspects of conflict and how to resolve it. Teachers will build upon these principles. Each key principle is the subject matter for the corresponding lesson. (i.e. key principle number two corresponds with lesson two.) Sande also gives specific teaching tips that will help the teacher utilize the program to the fullest.

The Young Peacemaker is divided into three parts. Each part has its own title: understanding conflict, responding to conflict and preventing conflict. They are also introduced with the main objective and include four lessons.

Each lesson begins with prayer. It is followed by a review of the previous lesson and then moves onto setting the stage for the story that illustrates the character trait that will be taught. Each lesson has six sections. The lessons are self-explanatory and included in the side column are teaching tips and real-life situations. The sections are set up this way:

1. Setting the Stage
2. The Lesson
3. Wrapping it Up
4. Activities and Personal Application
5. Dig into the Word
6. Lesson Summary

After the teacher begins the lesson with prayer, he/she reviews the previous lesson (with the exception of the first lesson) and the different character qualities learned in that lesson. In the setting the stage segment, the teacher explains what will be discussed. They then tell a story, which the students can refer to in their student activity book.

When the lesson is finished, the teacher will wrap it up, which includes a closing statement and prayer. The Activities and Personal Application section is the time that students use their activity book to apply the different things learned in the current lesson.

Dig into the Word is where the students look at different relevant Bible stories and verses that teach what was covered in the lesson.

The Lesson Summary reviews the Bible memory verse, the key principle and the main points of the lesson.

At the end of the book is an epilogue and three appendixes. The epilogue gives additional tools to give to the students when it comes to resolving conflict. Included in these are: coaching, mediation, and arbitration.

In Appendix A there are additional role play scenarios. Appendix B is a letter from the author that shows the teacher how to include the parents in these lessons, a letter that can be given to the parents "that explains ways they can reinforce peacemaking principles with their children," and another copy of the Twelve Key Principles for Young Peacemakers. Appendix C is the section of the book that has extra worksheets that children can take home to work on specific areas of conflict that they may be struggling with.

The illustrations in this book are engaging and fun to look at. They bring the lessons to life which in turn makes the lessons more interesting. The pictures are by Russ Flint.

There is one Student Activity Book per lesson that comes with the Young Peacemaker's book. There is no need to purchase additional activity books for each student, because the author has given permission to make copies.

The Student Activity Books are great for kids, because they are designed like comic books. The kids will enjoy them and probably read them over and over. Each book covers the different principles taught in the lesson. There are activities which give the students an opportunity to put into practice what they've been taught.

The Young Peacemaker is designed for students in the 3rd through 7th grades, although it can adapted to older and younger students. They will enjoy learning about the different character qualities of a peacemaker in this appealing and enjoyable course.

I would encourage any parents or teachers who have children in their care in this age group to use these lessons. What a great way to teach God's Word to our future leaders!