I’ve aimed to create “lessons,” which is to say: a story and activity you can do with your children at home or in a classroom. Each lesson is designed around a Bible story, includes a modern picture book story which can help explain and elevate the moral themes of the Bible story, and a craft that also explores the theme.
These are designed to be useful: many correlate to particular times of year– not just religious holidays, but cultural moments like “Black History Month” and LGBTQ+ Pride.
They are designed to be inclusive: Most lessons do not require children to be able to read, though their experience is often elevated when they are literate. The books are also chosen with care to include a diversity of characters and protagonists, authors and illustrators.
The crafts are also designed to be accessible for children who aren’t yet masterful artists (and for teachers and parents that may not be, either!).
The lessons are progressive. I aim to use inclusive language that does not shame or degrade your child’s identity. I do not use gendered language for God (I don’t call God “He.”). While some of the materials and books do use such language, I encourage you to replace “he” with other pronouns to expand your child’s understanding of divinity and the inherent worth of gender.
The lessons are also progressive in their theology. Bible stories are weird. I do not intend to “fix” texts that are uncomfortable, nor do I aim to tell anyone “how” to think about God. I try to approach these stories with a scholarly background, a firsthand experience of many holy land sites, a respect for the text and its authors and subjects, and an open way of understanding these stories.
STORY
The picture books that correlate with each lesson are not necessarily “biblical.” We don’t live in a world of burning bushes and temples and our biblical figures didn’t live in a world with cars or the internet. The picture books lift up biblical themes in ways that I hope can help young people think about Bible stories differently– in ways that lift them out of the dust and sand they seem to live in within our imaginations.
I want there to be room for differences in the ways we understand God and experience God’s presence, not to dictate anyone’s understanding. I hope that the lessons, stories, and crafts can help you and your child/ren explore God’s presence and role in your lives.
SNACK AND/OR CRAFT
Each lesson has a craft designed to help your children enjoy learning about the material, engage different skill sets and media to engage various learning processes, and create something to remind them of their own divine spark. Many lessons involve cooking something that corresponds with the Bible lesson. If there is no cooking/kitchen component in the lesson, there is a suggested affordable snack (usually water and matzah). If the lesson doesn’t include kitchen craft, it will include artistic crafts. These vary slightly in their complexity and cost, but are designed to be affordable, easy, and fun. We know not everyone can afford a $25-per-child curated craft each week. Most of my supplies are from the dollar store or a closet.
SERVICES
FULL YEAR DELIVERY
Our most economical and environmentally-friendly option. All materials for a calendar year of weekly lessons included in a single delivery. Craft and recipe materials not included.
CHOOSE A SINGLE LESSON
Choose one of our featured lessons.
MONTHLY DELIVERY
Our most popular plan. Monthly deliveries with a lesson for each Sunday (or whatever day you use). Lessons are shipped the month prior to their intended use to allow time to purchase supplies and materials.
CHOOSE A SINGLE MONTH
Order one month (4 lessons) from our selections available.
USES
FAMILY EVENING @ HOME
If you are looking for a progressive home supplement to your church experience or wish to explore Christian scripture from a progressive lens with your children at home, our subscription boxes may be a great solution for your family.
CHURCH SCHOOL
Does your Sunday School classroom span a variety of ages? Is it hard to find projects and lessons that work well for diverse ages and families? Our lesson plans are designed to be accessible to grades K-5, but enjoyable for the adults, too. We take care to use materials that represent a variety of people in a variety of roles while being faithful to sacred stories.
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