The Squad Leader Field Guide will walk you through everything that you need to run a weekly program.
Topics include:
- Ready to Serve objectives and course overview
- Scope Year 1 / 2 / 3
- Team Member Policies
- Weekly Class Schedule
- Lesson Elements
- ...and more!
The complete Squad Leader Field Guide can be downloaded here.
Lesson Preparation
Each lesson includes a printable Leaders’ Guide (pdf) and a video component (Youtube or Powerpoint). The Leaders’ Guide will indicate when a video segment should be shown, as well as give complete instructions for accompanying class activities.
All Leaders' Guides and videos can be downloaded from the “Lessons and Videos” button on the main RTS webpage.
Admin and promo resources, and other helpful supplementary items can be downloaded from the “Other Resources” button on the main RTS webpage.
Feel free to use room decor, wall images, music videos and more to liven up your space and lessons creatively!
In The Classroom
Each meeting begins with a video segment. The RTS RECON Team (on screen) will set up a situation and give the local squads information for solving the issue. The squad leader (class teacher) then leads their recruits to work through activities and complete the mission.
- Each lesson/episode has 3 video segments.
- The video segments simulate LIVE connection to the team onscreen, and are interspersed with classroom activities creating an engaging learning environment.
- Large group/small group learning allows leaders to accommodate any size group or setting.
- Lessons are grouped into themed Modules (4-6 lessons per module). Completion certificates for each module are available for download in the "Other Resources" section.
- Modules can be interspersed with creative days to practise learned material, present completion awards, etc.
For instance, after completing the 6 weeks of "Partners in Mission", the following week could include a group project to raise funds for the territorial campaign; after 4 weeks of "Worship 101", the following week could be a kids interactive worship time.
Here is a short clip from the "In the Beginning" module lesson one:
About the characters:
The five main characters of the RTS RECON Team are Christie, Michael, Kate, Simon and Sarai.
Why a "RECON" team? As Kate explains it, "recon" (short for reconnaissance) is military observation of a region to locate the enemy or ascertain strategic features; preliminary surveying, or research to gather key information. The team are gathering information from the Bible to help our Recruits out of sticky situations!
The RTS RECON Team are teaching characters, inspired by different elements of The Salvation Army Crest (as depicted on their costumes and on the RTS shield):
On their own, each character teaches significant disciplines and characteristics of our faith – together they provide a balanced picture of growing, spiritual maturity.
