Unit 1: God’s Good Story: Standing Stones (8 Lessons)

In the first weeks of Bible class, learners will review the restoration of all things—how God created the world, declared it good, and how the relationship between God and God’s image bearers was broken. They will explore how God made promises to restore all things and followed through on those promises, leading up to the exile of the people of ancient Israel. This introduces the theme for the year: “Standing Stones and Apprenticeship.”

Unit 2: Daniel and His Friends (12 Lessons)

Through the story of Daniel, learners will encounter a holy God who calls disciples to be different. Despite being in a foreign land, Daniel stood firm in his apprenticeship to the God of Israel. Learners will also study the visions given to Daniel and how they point toward a coming Messiah.

Unit 3: Esther (4 Lessons)

Although God isn’t mentioned in the narrative of Esther, God’s work is evident in the unseen. Learners will delve into this story and contemplate how God is just, even when the wrong people seem to have all the power.

Unit 4: Lamentations - The Art of Suffering (4 Lessons)

In this short collection of poems, Lamentations explores the collective grief of Israel having been taken into exile by Babylon. Learners will notice that lament isn’t linear or tidy but is a necessary process of calling out to a just God for hope and compassion.

Unit 5: Ezra and Nehemiah (8 Lessons) 

Learners will study the discipleship styles of Ezra and Nehemiah, exploring the reentry of the people of Israel back into the Promised Land and the compassion God showed to an unfaithful people. 

Unit 6: The In-Between (16 Lessons)

Though the Bible records little after God’s people return to the Promised Land, many significant events occurred that shaped the historical and cultural context of Jesus' birth. Learners will investigate topics like Alexander the Great, Hellenism, Judaism and Synagogue, and the rise of Rome.

Unit 7: Discipleship (12 Lessons)

In this unit, learners will dive into the biblical definition of discipleship and the commitment it took to walk in the footsteps of a Rabbi. Learners will study the Jewish educational system, what it meant for disciples to be like Jesus, and the lifestyle Jesus called His disciples into. They will learn that following Jesus requires passion, a love for the Text, and community, but that Jesus’ yoke is light.

Unit 8: Rabbinical Techniques (4 Lessons) 

Through investigating Jesus’ teachings throughout the gospels, learners will notice patterns in His teaching style. Knowledge of ancient Jewish teaching techniques will shed new light on biblical stories like the cleansing of the temple and Peter’s recognition of Jesus being the Son of God in Caesarea Philippi.

Unit 9: Modern Day Apprenticeship (7 Lessons) 

In this unit, learners will explore what it means to be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do as Jesus did. Learners will discuss what it means to make space for, to preach, and to demonstrate the gospel. This unit will help learners take the lessons they learned about ancient discipleship and make it relevant to their own faith journeys. 

Unit 10: Practicing The Way (9 Lessons) - Practices 

Learners will discover that being an apprentice involves practice. In this unit, they will explore practices like Sabbath, solitude, prayer, fasting, scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness, learning that apprenticeship involves the head, heart, feet, and hands. They will practice these ways of living in community.

Unit 11: The Cost of Discipleship (8 Lessons) 

Returning to the story of Peter, learners will explore where Jesus finds him when He returns. Learners will be encouraged by Jesus' response to Peter's denial and how He calls him again. They will also investigate the calls of other disciples like Stephen and Philip and the cost of their discipleship.

Unit 12 : Disciple Project (8 Lessons)

In this unit, learners will research a modern disciple, compare them to one of Jesus’ original disciples and share examples of how that person follows Jesus. They will share these stories of discipleship with their community, answering questions like, “How do people follow Jesus today?” and “What do people do to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what He did?”

Unit 13: Paul and Timothy (8 Lessons)

Learners will study Paul’s call and commissioning of Timothy, seeing the power of the gospel and the grace of Jesus. In Paul’s second letter to his disciple Timothy, Paul likens following Jesus to being a soldier, athlete, and farmer, emphasizing the sacrifice, dedication, and work required. Paul encourages Timothy in both word and example that following Jesus involves risk and a life of tension, but that it is a life filled with great joy and peace.

Unit 14: Living Stones (8 Lessons)

In this culminating activity, learners will meditate on the first two chapters of 1 Peter, rich with imagery and metaphors for Jesus’ followers. Learners will reflect on the concept of “living stones,” and interview a person in their life who serves as a “standing stone” of Jesus. They will then share that story with their classroom community.

Christmas Unit: The Herods and the Wise Men (8 Lessons)

Learners will explore the story of the wise men, Herod, and the birth of Jesus, comparing and contrasting Herod the Great—also called King of the Jews—and Jesus. Learners will delve in the historical Herod in order to better understand his family’s role in creating the world that Jesus was born into. Learners will examine the kingdoms each man built and what this reveals about God's nature.

Easter Unit: Through Their Eyes (8 Lessons)

To prepare for Easter, learners will imagine the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus from the perspective of His disciples. They will consider what it was like to be asked to stay awake with Jesus, to be questioned about their discipleship, and to declare who Jesus truly is.