The three broad theological themes we have chosen for cycle two are Providence: God’s Creating Word (starting with Fall for 2006–2007); Redemption: The Word Became Flesh (starting with Fall for 2007–2008); and Hospitality: The Word in Our Hearts (starting with Fall for 2008–2009). You can immediately appreciate the Trinitarian relationship across the three-year plan and perhaps hear echoes of the Apostles’ Creed. In the first year we emphasize what we believe about “God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” In the second year we focus our attention on what we believe about Jesus Christ, “who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried,” but who, on the third day rose again from the dead. And in the third year we call attention to the Holy Spirit at work in the church through our communion with one another and our service in the world.

As many of you are no doubt getting ready for fall classes, we want to highlight a complete outline () of the scope and sequence for the Year 4 (2006–2007). On the downloadable PDF you will see that there are three themes under the broader heading, “Providence.” These themes are as follows:1

Fall—Creation
Winter—Unconditional Love
Spring—New Creation

We begin the fall quarter with a study of creation to discover exactly what the Bible is telling us about God, God’s relationship with us, and human relationships with the rest of creation. Each age group will approach this exploration in a way that is developmentally appropriate. Younger children learn the story of a Creator who makes light, dark, sky, space, plants, animals, and humans. God creates a people to live in this glorious creation and makes a covenant with human beings, promising that their line will continue. The youth lessons dig a little deeper to answer how God’s providence is seen in the act of creation. They will also explore the darker side of creation and wrestle with the problem of evil and suffering, but most important they will discuss what being created in God’s image means for their lives here and now. The adult lessons have a unique focus on the Celtic tradition, which has always emphasized the goodness and interrelation of all creation. This quarter will explore how the Celtic tradition interprets God’s presence in creation and connects some of these themes to the Reformed faith.

For more information on the second cycle of We Believe or on the scope and sequence of 2006–2007, please visit our Web site. Also, We Believe Workshop is available for those churches who use the rotation method. The yearly themes for the Workshop curriculum follow the same outline as the quarterly curriculum.

1. You will see that children, youth, and adults follow the same theological themes in each quarter, but the particular biblical passages studied are unique to each age group. A shaded orange background indicates those weeks when all age groups are studying a common text. For example, the theme of the fall quarter is “Creation.” The first session of the quarter is shaded orange to indicate that all age groups will be using Genesis 1 as the focus of that week’s Bible study.

Call (888) 728-7228 to discuss your questions with a member of the Congregational Ministries Publishing editorial staff.

For children’s material contact Betsy Ensign-George at ext. 5482 or Judy Hockenberry at ext. 5483; for youth material contact Trish Tedrow at ext. 5294; and for adult curriculum contact Martha Schull Gilliss at ext. 5124.

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