Dozens of Sabbath school children and adolescent ministries directors from throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) recently met to study and review the Alive in Jesus Sabbath school curriculum produced by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The new curriculum, designed for ages 0-14 will first launch for infants up to three years old in 2025.

“Our goal is to attract and attach children to the love of Jesus as we prepare to launch this new curriculum in our territory soon,” said Pastor Samuel Telemaque, Sabbath School director of the IAD and main organizer of the training event. He challenged leaders from all 24 unions to commit to implementing the new curriculum.

The new curriculum features comprehensive bible study lessons with beautiful illustrations that will touch the lives of so many children and their parents across the territory and around the world, said Edith Ruiz, Children and Youth Ministries director of the IAD. “We are so excited and ready to mobilize local leaders, resources, effect changes, instruct it thoroughly, and work united to transition into the new curriculum,” she said.

Alive in Jesus is scheduled to launch in 2026 for Kindergarten and Primary, in 2027 for Juniors and Teens, and in 2028 for Youth. GraceLink, the current children’s Sabbath School curriculum, will be phased out.

Philosophy and Pillars of the New Curriculum

Nina Atcheson, curriculum manager and senior editor of the new Alive in Jesus curriculum, spoke to the leaders gathered in Miami, Florida, United States, Mar. 11-13, 2024, on the philosophy and pillars of the curriculum and the role of Sabbath school teachers.

“We have been given a high calling not only to grow little ones but to equip many teachers and parents throughout the Inter-American Division,” said Atcheson. The calling includes teaching children with different needs about today’s reality factors affecting the home, including anxiety, depression, divorce, the impact of screen time, gender dysphoria, nature deficit disorder, and more.

“God’s truth is at the very heart of the Adventist message, but people in parts of the world don’t feel comfortable about talking about the truth, so the bible is the foundation of this new curriculum,” she explained. Pillars of the curriculum include the grace that Jesus offers, character development, and mission.

Alive in Jesus seeks to equip and empower parents, caregivers, Sabbath school teachers, Sabbath school leaders and others to model and foster a thriving relationship with Jesus and the children in the spheres of influence, Atcheson said.

To find out more about the Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum by visiting sabbathschoolpersonalministries.org

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.