A New Reformed Bible Curriculum
‍for Children

Throughout history, the people of God have labored to pass down the faith, training up the next generation to know and love the Lord. The psalmist pleads, “O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” (Ps. 71:18). David, meditating on God’s greatness, declares, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Ps. 145:4). This responsibility is not optional; it is the privilege and duty of every Christian. With discipleship as its heartbeat, the church strives to ensure that by God’s grace the truth of His Word endures from age to age.

In an age of rapid technological advancement, we are inundated with more information than ever before, yet wisdom and understanding seem increasingly scarce. Complexity abounds, while clarity remains elusive. Despite instant access to knowledge, biblical literacy—both in the world and within the church—continues to decline. God’s revelation is more available than at any time in history, yet ignorance of His ways is more common than ever.

Amid this cultural landscape, God calls His people to hold forth the word of life (Phil. 2:16). While the world clamors for the latest innovation, the church proclaims something that is not new at all: the living and abiding Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). This Word is ancient yet ever relevant, unchanging yet ever transformative for those who receive it in faith and repentance.

Recognizing this urgent need, Ligonier Ministries set out to develop a resource to serve churches, families, and schools in their mission to pass on the faith to future generations. The creation of a children’s curriculum was undertaken with careful consideration of the church’s needs and the patterns emerging in Christian education.

A survey of the landscape of available curricula reveals some key observations. Despite the rapid pace of modern life, few curricula offered a complete overview of the Bible in a single year, instead stretching it over two or three years. Many required ongoing purchases, increasing costs for churches and families. Visual designs were often cluttered, making the teaching experience needlessly complex. Furthermore, few curricula presented the material from a distinctly Reformed perspective, one that integrates the five solas and the rich heritage of historic catechisms.

In response, Ligonier Ministries purposed to create a children’s curriculum that is simple, holistic, and accessible. This curriculum would maintain the Reformed tradition while offering trusted biblical teaching. Over years of careful development, a lesson scope and sequence was established to cover the major narratives and themes of the Bible. Subject matter experts contributed to the lesson development, and children’s ministry leaders provided invaluable feedback. The biblical and theological content was rigorously reviewed and refined, and the design was intentionally crafted to produce an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly resource.

The result of these labors is Growing in God’s Word, a new children’s curriculum available in three learning levels (K–1, 2–3, and 4–5) and two editions (Presbyterian & Reformed and Baptist). This curriculum exists as a resource for the church, with the aim of equipping the next generation with a firm foundation in God’s truth.

It is our prayer that, by God’s grace, many young lives will be transformed as they behold the holiness of God in His Word and embrace the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Lord accomplishes this work, may His church continue to grow and bear fruit for generations to come, to the praise of His glorious grace.