In the U.S., Northwest Leaders Preview Alive in Jesus Curriculum

Forty-five conference-level children’s ministry leaders and presenters from six Pacific Northwest conferences in the United States were among the first to explore and experience the training for the new Alive in Jesus Bible Curriculum for children at a recent event.

The orientation marks the initial phase of training in preparation for the 2025 launch of the Baby Steps and Beginners (birth to three years) curriculum.

“Alive in Jesus is beautifully illustrated with the goal of [making] disciples for Jesus,” Velvet Lang, North Pacific Union Conference children’s ministry leader, said. “I encourage every church to take advantage of the Alive in Jesus curriculum that will be available January 2025.”

Alive in Jesus is the new global Sabbath School curriculum for children produced by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department. GraceLink, the current children’s Sabbath School curriculum, will be phased out and no longer produced or resourced.

Additional Alive in Jesus releases will come in 2026 with Kindergarten and Primary and in 2027 with Junior and Earliteen curriculums. Orientation and training will be available for local Sabbath School leaders for each division level.

Alive in Jesus will provide local Sabbath School teachers with flexibility to meet the needs of diverse learners and settings. Whether it’s accommodating children with special needs or tailoring lessons for different age groups, the Alive in Jesus curriculum is adaptable to various contexts.

“We are so excited [about Alive in Jesus] because we want to share Jesus with our children, who then, as you know, will share Jesus with other children,” Sherri Uhrig, North American Division children’s ministry director, said.

The new curriculum includes a new Baby Steps curriculum, for birth to 12 months, which also provides a spiritual parenting small group resource to nurture parents in their parenting journey and spiritual lives.

“I just love how the Alive in Jesus curriculum focuses on tangible ways to understand babies and how to really share Jesus [with babies and parents]. There are lots of tools and resources, and it’s really excellent,” Jana Lee, Oregon Conference children’s ministry director, said.

Incorporating a clear Seventh-day Adventist worldview and the Adventist Church’s 28 fundamental beliefs, this curriculum shows children, as they grow, that the truths of the Bible are unchanging and trustworthy, equipping them to study the Bible meaningfully for themselves. Children, parents, and leaders will recognize many familiar songs, program sequences and even more Bible stories.

“My first impression is, ‘Wow, what a change,’ from GraceLink and now moving into modern times,” Liz Geary, Montana Conference volunteer children’s ministry leader said. “Alive in Jesus takes in the new needs our children are facing. I am very impressed with all the materials.”

“We’re trying to modernize, update, and integrate all the developmental stages within childhood learning into our Sabbath School curriculum,” Laura Jean-Francois, who is one of four Alaska Conference volunteer children’s ministry leaders, reflected.

“I’m excited about the Alive in Jesus curriculum because it includes multiple intelligences for how children learn at whatever age, stage or need,” Nitza Salazar, Idaho Conference volunteer children’s ministry leader, said. “You’ll love it!”

The original version of this story was posted on the Northwest Pacific Union Conference Gleaner.