Learn more about We Believe
We Believe, created specifically for Presbyterians by Presbyterians, focuses on our Reformed heritage. In different ways, each age level includes content from Reformed creeds, confessions, catechisms and statements of faith.
We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People offers curriculum for all ages — from childhood to adulthood. We Believe tells the stories of our faith in a variety of ways to allow for different learning styles as well as for age appropriateness. This curriculum helps all participants develop a common understanding of how we as Presbyterians understand the Word of God and apply that understanding in our daily lives.
For those who have come to the Church from other faith traditions, the curriculum serves as a basis for understanding who we are and what Presbyterians believe.
Biblically Grounded
Every facet of We Believe begins with the Bible and relates to the message of Jesus Christ. The curriculum encourages biblical literacy at all age levels.
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- Teacher’s Book contains everything a teacher (or substitute teacher) needs to know.
- Complete session outlines make planning easy.
- List of needed supplies included with each session.
- Further help is available for curriculum and many other resources.
Why Do We Offer the We Believe Curriculum?
We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People is produced for Presbyterians by Presbyterians. A thoroughly Presbyterian and Reformed theological approach to teaching the Bible makes a difference. Consider the following:
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1. The overarching story of God’s saving love for creation is always at the center of each Bible story. |
1. Human response and responsibility are more likely to be at the center of each Bible story. |
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2. Bible stories reveal the grace that points us to God’s central redeeming act in Christ’s death and resurrection and ultimately new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. |
2. Bible stories are more likely to be read and taught with an eye toward a “moral” lesson leading to an obedient response. |
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3. The old and new covenants form a coherent whole of which the person and work of Jesus Christ is the linchpin. |
3. The old covenant is more likely to be interpreted as subordinate to the new. The old prepares God’s people for a new, superior covenant. |
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4. Through Bible stories, we understand that God moves people and history toward God's sovereign and gracious purpose. |
4. The Bible stories are more likely to be read as if God’s kingdom depends on a human response in order to advance. |
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5. Gratitude to God impels us to deep kingdom involvement in the world. |
5. God’s people are more likely to focus on a future day when they will receive their heavenly reward. |
The contrasts outline a distinctive Reformed view of teaching and learning and the way the Bible is understood and believed, and how its truth is lived out in our everyday lives. As Reformed Christians, we Presbyterians owe it to our congregations to provide a thoroughly Reformed approach to the Bible. Without it, we sacrifice the unique gift God has given to us through our heritage and the opportunity to offer it as a gift to the larger church.
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Comments
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We have been using this curriculum this year, and I've enjoyed teaching it. Thankfully, our Children's Ministries Director assembles the materials for the lessons for us. I would like to see some mission/service project suggestions to go with each quarter's emphasis.
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4. Through Bible stories, we understand that God moves people and history toward God's sovereign and gracious purpose.
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Vanessa, yes, there is text missing in #4. Thanks for the heads up!! We will set it right!
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The SCOPE AND SEQUENCE is located below the download samples for toddler and preschool
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I appreciate the "We Believe Emphases." It seems, however, to me, that something is missing in #4. Please clarify. Thanks.