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Progressive Christian Spiritual Curriculum

Compassionate, Intelligent, Inter-Spiritual, Non-Dogmatic

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 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 Frederik 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 everything from home environments to multi-classroom environments.

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 Two Like?

In A Joyful Path, Year Two, we focus on some of the main tenets of Progressive Christianity and Spirituality, giving our children the foundation they need to walk the path of Jesus in today’s world.  It has stories and affirmations written to help children clarify their own personal beliefs while staying open to the wisdom of other traditions.

Topics Covered are:

The Teachings Of Jesus

Pluralism

Inclusion

How We Treat Others

The Search for Understanding

Peace and Social Justice

The Integrity of the Earth

Life-Long Learning and Selfless Love

Click Here for More Information on Using This Curriculum, Year Two

Click here to download lesson samples from A Joyful Path

 *We have other options! Click here for more info on our package options.

Click here to purchase A Joyful Path Children’s Curriculum, Year One and Year Two, hard copies.

Click here for Testimonials and Endorsements for A Joyful Path

Single PDF lessons also available!

Click here to purchase A Joyful Path Children’s Curriculum in individual PDF digital lessons

Can you support this important project?

With Year Two complete, we are setting our sights on a third and final year of curriculum for this age group, and then we want to move into creating progressive, inter-spiritual curriculum for older children, ages 11-15. 

Please help us make this vision a reality by donating to this important project!

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Promo Videos for Year One and Year Two

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About Our Children’s Curriculum Project:

A while back, we did a massive interview process of churches, scholars, theologians, and lay people asking them, what is needed most in the progressive Christian movement. Overwhelmingly, the response was a need for progressive, spiritual children’s curriculum. So, we created the children’s curriculum project, called The Inner Wisdom Series, and embarked on an exciting and groundbreaking journey. Our goal is to create progressive Christian children’s curriculum that celebrates a joy-filled life, compassion for all, and the wisdom found within, while staying true to the teachings and path of Jesus.

Please help make this dream a reality, Donate today!