Unit 1: God’s Good Story: Kingdoms of the World and God’s Kingdom (3 Lessons) 

In the first weeks of Bible class, learners will review the restoration of all things—how God created the world and declared it good, how the relationship between God and God’s image bearers was broken, and how God made and fulfilled promises to restore all things. This will lead learners to the point where the people of ancient Israel have crossed into the Promised Land and desire a king, introducing the year’s theme, “Kingdoms of the World and God’s Kingdom.”

Unit 2: We Want A King! (3 Lessons)

Learners will explore the story of Samuel and the anointing of Saul, the first king of Israel. They will ponder the nature of a God who is present, patient, and compassionate toward His people.

Unit 3: King David (9 Lessons)

By examining the story of David alongside Psalms, learners will encounter this familiar character from a fresh perspective—his own. David's honesty and humanity demonstrate that God can handle our honesty and is gracious in the process. From being anointed to being on the run from Saul to becoming king, David’s story reveals a God who uses imperfect people to bring about God’s Kingdom on earth.

Unit 4: Shepherd King: Psalm 23 (3 Lessons)

Through meditating on the imagery David provides in Psalm 23, learners will discover that God’s Kingdom is different. David compares God to a shepherd—not a warrior king, not a wealthy king, not a powerful king, but a shepherd king. Learners will continue to uncover the differences between the kingdoms of this world and God’s Kingdom.

Unit 5: Solomon and the Writings (6 Lessons)

Learners will study Solomon through Older Testament accounts of his life and his own writings in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. This unit encourages learners to ponder what it means to follow and seek the wisdom of God.

Unit 6: Kingdoms of the World (3 Lessons)

After studying David and Solomon, learners will investigate the cultures of Israel’s neighbors—Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. They will explore how the growing power of these civilizations impacted the followers of God. 

Unit 7: Kings and Prophets (18 Lessons)

In this comprehensive, cross-curricular unit, learners will research the later kings and prophets of ancient Israel and present their findings through graphic novels. They will learn to use contextual lenses independently to research, ideate, and write their short novels, ensuring historical and cultural accuracy. 

Unit 8: God’s Kingdom (6 Lessons)

In this unit, learners will connect Older Testament stories of Elijah and Elisha to the bringing about of God’s Kingdom through the person of Jesus. 

Unit 9: The Kingdom Is Like . . . (12 Lessons)

Jesus gives his followers pictures of what the Kingdom of God is like through parables. Learners will discover parables are best learned in community because they invite listeners and readers to “chew” on them, debate their meaning, and slowly uncover truth. In community, learners will page through the gospel account of Matthew and uncover what Jesus said about God’s Kingdom.

Unit 10: Teachings on the Kingdom (6 Lessons)

Jesus not only taught about God’s kingdom through metaphor and pictures, but he also taught about God’s Kingdom through direct teachings. Learners will explore what Jesus says about the role of children in the Kingdom of God and what it looks like to be rich in the Kingdom of God through passages found in Luke’s gospel.

Unit 11: Fulfillment of Prophecy (6 Lessons)

Learners will reflect on their study of the prophets by investigating how Jesus fulfills their prophecies. This fulfillment demonstrates God’s faithfulness and reveals the greater narrative of the Text. Many followers of God in Jesus’ time had their own expectations about how these prophecies would be fulfilled, but God’s way was different. Learners will observe how this conflict recurs throughout the history of God and God’s people.

Unit 12: A Clash of Kingdoms (6 Lessons)

Throughout the gospel accounts, Jesus is described as the Son of God, a title that Caesar also claimed for himself during Jesus' time. Learners will explore this clash of kingdoms and the conflicts it brought to Jesus’ followers.

Unit 13: God’s Present Kingdom (6 Lessons)

In a study on the wisdom found in the book of James, learners will notice that when one decides to be a part of bringing about God’s Kingdom, God’s Spirit faithfully produces fruit. Learners will investigate what this fruit may have looked like to ancient readers as well as readers in our context today.

Unit 14: Kingdom Clothing (6 Lessons)

When the biblical writers give us the details of what people are wearing, we should take notice. In the ancient world, the clothes one wore often represented their place and value in society. In this unit, learners will be immersed in the world of ancient Israel by studying what God called God’s people to be clothed in throughout the biblical narrative. This investigation will highlight a God who is present and involved even in the daily details of life.

Unit 15: Plants and Trees of the Bible (6 Lessons)

In this culminating virtual reality unit, learners will study plants mentioned in the Bible and how the authors use them as pictures and metaphors of God’s Kingdom. Jesus talks about how the grapevine needs to be lifted in order to flourish, and Isaiah likens God’s people to “Oaks of righteousness.” Learners will then reflect by creating their own contextual metaphors for God’s Kingdom. 

Christmas Unit: The Coming King (3 Lessons)

Learners will remember Advent together by viewing the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the prophets Micah and Isaiah. Both prophets promise a coming Messiah. Learners will have the opportunity to understand the waiting that Advent reflects and what the people of Israel were waiting for.

Easter Unit: Psalms of Jesus (6 Lessons)

To prepare for Easter, learners will delve into Psalm 22—its place in the gospels as Jesus references it on the cross, the implications of this reference, and how it points toward a Shepherd, Servant King. Learners will reflect on what this text reveals about God’s character and God’s Kingdom.