The following publishers provide a variety of age-appropriate curricula for use in the churches:
Akaloo by Augsburg/Congregational Ministries Publishing
The name Akaloo is inspired by the Greek word akolouthein, meaning “to follow.” Akaloo is curriculum about following Christ in all of our lives. Akaloo is an intentional partnership between Augsburg Fortress and Congregational Ministries Publishing that strives to encourage lifelong faith formation and a continual journey toward God. The sense of lifelong discipleship permeates the curriculum.
Akaloo combines modern technology with Christian education in new ways. Akaloo Leader Web sites offer ways to plan, build, and customize lessons through 100 percent online teaching materials. Akaloo Learner Handbooks support the learning goals for each session with age-appropriate materials for each age grouping (age 3, pre-K–K, grades 1–2, grades 3–4, grades 5–6, junior high, senior high, and adult). Akaloo Learner Web sites connect church and home to move beyond Sunday school. Each age or “stage” of Akaloo features a Web site that extends congregation-based learning into the home.
Akaloo age-group stages focus on five areas or units of discipleship: Bible, God, Disciple, Church, and World. Everyone is united behind a single purpose: We are called to follow Jesus.
Since discipleship is a group activity, each Akaloo unit features intergenerational kick-off events and other opportunities along the way, including Akaloo life groups based in the home. Learning can take place in and out of church, any day of the week. Church and home are connected. Individuals and the community are connected. Old and young are connected. Disciples of all ages walk together with Jesus.
Bible Blitz® by Group Publishing
Bible exploration curriculum for children
Centered on the Hands-On Bible® curriculum, Bible Blitz sharpens your children’s Bible skills because each week they open their Bibles and experience God’s Word–firsthand.
Bible Blitz gives you lots of options–you’ll decide which activities best meet the needs of your unique classroom. Children enjoy the fun activities–even your hard-to-reach, even-harder-to-please older boys and girls. These studies can make an eternal difference. Students enjoy Bible learning and grow close to God, causing their actions and worship to become a natural outflow of their lives.
FaithAlive by CRC/RCA Publications
Children
Looking for a curriculum that’s faithful, friendly, and fun? Check out Walk With Me! Kids in preschool to grade 8 discover God’s love for them through story, song, and hands-on activities. Walk With Me features different learning styles, so all kids stay engaged.
Trying on a Sunday school curriculum is like trying on shoes–the fit is important. Kid Connection is designed to fit smaller-size churches, mixes large group and small group formats, and works for mid-week programs.
Youth
Walk With Me units for grades 6-8 offer a variety of topics to spark the interest of students, including tough choices, prayer, stewardship, sexuality, justice, and more. Each Leader’s Guide includes four complete session plans and reproducible handouts. Student Materials include newspapers, devotions, games, and journals.
Stuff to Know When Cults Come Knocking, Which Way to God? and What’s Up with the Church Down the Street? examine world religions, cults, sects, and other denominations while helping high schoolers become more confident in their own faith and articulate what they believe and why.
Adults
Disciples is a new multi-year faith formation program that integrates worship, devotion, and study for life-long adult learning. Disciples takes a Reformed approach, combining Bible study with interactive questions and activities that match the multiple learning styles of today’s adult learners. Ideal for all kinds of small groups!
Discover Your Bible studies help everyone–from new believers to mature Christians–discover the richness of God’s Word for themselves. The study guides include simple questions and the leader guides provide insights and background information.
FaithWeaver® by Group Publishing
Youth
Grow faith. Grow families. Grow your church. With FaithWeaver®, you get more than a Sunday school. You build stronger families and a stronger church. You’ll experience first-hand how bringing youth together on the same Bible story as their parents (and younger siblings) works to help families naturally connect with one another — and with God. How does it work? With FaithWeaver Youth Bible Studies (Senior High and Middle School/Junior High), your students explore the same Bible story as the rest of the church, in age-appropriate ways.
Adults
Help parents nurture the faith of their children. With FaithWeaver Adult Bible Studies, your learners explore the same Bible Point as the children and youth of your church, in age-appropriate ways. A “Parenting Principles” section each week plus additional tools online and in the student pieces help parents talk about and apply their discoveries with their children. Families–and your church–grow closer as they share their discoveries and practice putting their faith into action.
The Kerygma
Adults
The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us is a 14-session study by Robert A. Bryant suggesting that the Christian community of the first century struggled with the questions that concern us still today: “With all that we have to unite us, why do we still find ways to create division? Do we focus on what sets us apart, or what holds us together?” According to Matthew, the Church is an earthly manifestation of the kingdom of God. Its members are called out to live righteously in the world and to serve in the manner of Christ with humility and forgiveness. In Jesus, there is a new community at work for the blessing of the world. What is it that binds us together? The Leader’s Guide on CD-ROM includes video for in-class use.
Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey through Holy Week by Carol J. Miller invites you to explore the main texts in all four Gospels and in Paul’s writings that deal specifically with the last week of Jesus’ life and his resurrection. Each author has a reason for writing. Each wants students to come to see who Jesus Christ is and what God is doing in and through him. Leader’s Guide on CD-ROM with DVD includes video for in-class use.
Youth
Although Kerygma resources have been developed for adult use, two studies in particular have enjoyed good success with older teens and are used widely in both schools and congregations.
Your Bible: The Study Begins by James A. Walther, in seven one-hour sessions, is designed to make the Bible more accessible. It provides a comprehensive introduction to how the Bible is organized and the basic skills needed for solid, in-depth Bible study. It is a basis for all future study of Scripture.
Discovering the Bible by Kenneth Clark, with 30 sessions, is a non-intimidating introduction to the people, places, and stories of the Bible. Interactive learning strategies engage the imagination of learners and ultimately help connect The Story with one’s own story. The results in students are often dramatic, encouraging life changes, personal decisions, and a continued participation in the life of their congregation.
Living Inside Outâ„¢ by Group Publishing
Children
Living Inside Out shares Bible truths in memorable ways. Lessons are introduced in a large group setting with five activities to connect with children. In small groups, children learn how to practice their faith at school, at home, in friendships. And relationships formed in small groups make your class a welcoming place week after week.
With Living Inside Out, kids move beyond applying faith to actually living it out. By providing Daily Challengesâ„¢, kids have the chance to practice faithful living inside and outside of class.
We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People by Congregational Ministries Publishing.
This is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denominational curriculum. It was created specifically for Presbyterians by Presbyterians and examines Old and New Testament texts through the seasons of the church year. The curriculum constructs lesson plans around biblical narratives pivotal to understanding the nature of God.
We Believe focuses on our Reformed heritage. In different ways, each age level includes content from Reformed creeds, confessions, catechisms, and statements of faith. All of these bear witness to how our denomination has articulated its beliefs through the ages and illustrate how our faith grows out of Scripture.
We Believe curriculum is designed for all ages. Quarterly curricula are available for preschoolers through grade 5, grades 9–12, and adults. The younger youth in grades 6–8 have the choice of four annual survey courses and a confirmation curriculum. The previous year of We Believe (fall, winter, and spring quarters) is translated into Spanish, Asà Creemos, for preschool through older elementary children. There is also a free online resource in Portuguese for older youth.
Following the scope and sequence of children’s age groups and/or older youth, the We Believe adult quarterly curriculum is intended to help teach adults about the history of salvation in a format that connects them directly to what the children and older youth in their church families are studying. Stories of faith from the Old Testament, stories from the Gospels, and selections from the epistles are presented in these Bible studies in ways that will appeal to adults who are seeking to understand them either for the first time or afresh in a new light.
Each session offers background material and suggestions for discussion to help groups consider the meaning of the passages in the context of life in the twenty-first century. In addition, each session contains a statement from one of the Reformed confessions and a section geared toward conversation about the Scripture under study. The Teacher’s Book is ordered quarterly for each teacher in the class and contains two reproducible pages per session for the students. Class Resource Packs provide art, games, teaching pictures, and music to enhance the learning experience. Take-Home sheets contain a brief lesson summary, activities for home, and information for parents or guardians to help them continue the learning process.
We Believe is grounded on the principles of Multiple Intelligences Theory and offers a variety of teaching and learning styles. Cooperative learning and the sharing of insights are valued. Developmentally appropriate, We Believe pays attention to the stages of faith development of children, youth, and adults.
Workshop Rotation Model Sunday School by Potter’s Publishing
Children
A curriculum for Workshop Rotation Model Sunday School (K-6). It is a fresh approach to teaching children Bible stories and concepts through experiences with God’s Word. They learn in the ways they learn best with adults teaching using their best gifts. The curriculum enhances children’s faith development through challenging activities in art, science, cooking, drama, and more. Rotating to different workshops each week, kids are equipped to know, grow, and go with Jesus’ Spirit in their daily lives. Potter’s Publishing curriculum is flexible for Sunday school, midweek program, VBS, summer Sunday school, camp, family events.
