Are you searching for a way to connect children with an authentic spiritual experience that is inter-spiritual, creative, and multi-layered? A Joyful Path is a truly progressive Christian curriculum that is inclusive, joy-full, compassionate, and intelligent.
A Joyful Path- The Inner Wisdom Series
Spiritual Curriculum for Young Hearts and Minds
This behavior-over-belief curriculum connects children with their own inner wisdom. It teaches interdependence, self-awareness, respect for nature, stillness, forgiveness, prayer, meditation, and integrity. Using the Bible and other wisdom stories, A Joyful Path helps children learn how to follow the path of Jesus in today’s world.
“The great need in the Christian church is for a Sunday school curriculum for children that does not equate faith with having a pre-modern mind. The Center for Progressive Christianity has produced just that. Teachers can now teach children in Sunday school without crossing their fingers. I endorse it wholeheartedly. ~John Shelby Spong, Author, Jesus for the Non-Religious
“One of the major challenges for Progressive Christians in the years to come is paying more attention to “equipping the saints.” The dictionary meaning for “equipping” is “to supply with intellectual, emotional, or spiritual essentials.” It is derived from an old French term which means “to put to sea, to embark.”
ProgressiveChristianity.org has picked up this challenge and provided congregations and parents with two years of relevant and imaginative curriculums for the 21st century. They have taken the lead in reframing Sunday school teachings and made them into invaluable resources for “equipping the saints” as they head out on the sea of our culture. Whether you are a parent, a Sunday School teacher, a preacher, a spiritual seeker, or just someone who likes to look at ideas from a child’s point of view, this one’s for you.” ~Mary Ann and Frederic Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Using This Curriculum
This spiritual curriculum is intended for 6 to 10 year olds but may be adapted for children slightly older or younger. The lessons are written for a classroom setting and are also appropriate for use at home.
A unique and important aspect of this curriculum is that the lessons are both heart-centered and experiential. Through stories and activities, children’s bodies and feelings are engaged as well as their minds. Giving children experiences that are real and meaningful helps them integrate and apply the ideals of Progressive Christianity to lives right now. Experiential learning also helps to create a solid foundation for a child’s life-long spiritual journey.
*NOTE: We are happy if you blend your curriculum resources together — you don’t have to abandon your own denominational curriculum in order to enjoy A Joyful Path. We get emails from churches all the time about using more than one curriculum and how A Joyful Path blends well with almost any denominational curriculum out there.
What is included in A Joyful Path?
This curriculum is designed for teaching in-home and in small groups.
The full year has 38 lessons which include:
A Teacher Introduction
A Teacher Reflection or Meditation
Bible Verses
Wisdom Quotations
Fun and Creative Activities- Art, Crafts, Music, Movements, Meditations
Spiritual Affirmations with a Full Page Affirmation Art
An Original Story with Story Art
Discussion Questions
** Plus Teacher Introductory Pages which include Classroom Management Tips, Bringing Nature into the Curriculum, Using the Affirmations, and Using this Curriculum
What Is A Joyful Path Year One Like?
In A Joyful Path, Year One, we focus on behavior over belief. Focusing on the teachings of Jesus, Year One is all about supporting children to find their own inner wisdom and to connect to the Spirit and God Within All.
This curriculum teaches bravery, courage, inclusion, stillness, forgiveness, humility, concentration, discovering divine energy, non-greed, service, truthfulness, kindness, gratitude, protection and care for the environment, creativity, letting go, finding god within all, and more.
“At last, Sunday School lessons for which no apology is necessary.” ~James R. Adams, Author of So You Think You’re Not Religiousand From Literal to Literacy.
Here is a list of our lessons:
The Stories of our Tradition- The Bible and how we use it
A Spiritual Teacher- The Jesus Story
The Nameless One- Who or What is God?
A Pocket Full of Coins- Discovering Divine Energy
A Lion in the Garden- Forgiving and Healing
The Confusing Coat- Learning from Mistakes
The Dangerous Road- Connecting with Kindness
Brother Wolf- Being an Instrument for Blessing
Blind Eyes See- Experiencing God as Light
Are Two Words Enough?- Expressing Gratitude
The Lonely Shepherd- Experiencing God as Joy
The Monkey and the Well- Concentrating Our Energy
Touching the Moon- Practicing Humility
The Greedy Gambler- Non-Greed
Nathan Leaves Home- Remembering God’s Presence
The Christmas Surprise- Experiencing God as Love
Wild Mountain John- Filling Our Minds with Goodness
Monica’s Complicated Quilt- Opening Our Hearts in Prayer
The New Neighborhood- Loving others through Service
The Falling Sky- Asking for Guidance- Discernment
The Magic Potion- Learning Patience
Three Hundred Peanuts- Work Creativity
Rachel Dreams of the Sea- Self-Expansion
Shoe Laces- Sharing
Nothing Fancy- What is Success?
19 Dangerous Trips- Willpower and Courage
Who Is In-Charge?- Self-control
The Brave One- Courage
A Drop of Water- Stillness
New Life- Easter
Standing Tall- Palm Sunday
A Heavy Load- Letting Go
The Changeless Spirit- Security
6,000 Tries!- Perseverance
Do Unto Others- Truthfulness
A Choice- Willingness
One Love- Inclusion
She Is Everywhere- God in Nature
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