On March 27-28, a significant event occurred as the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, in collaboration with the Korean Union Conference and Pastor Kim YoungUn, KUC Children’s Ministries Director, convened to train and review the ‘Alive in Jesus’ Sabbath school curriculum. This curriculum, produced by the General Conference, is a crucial tool for our shared mission of nurturing children’s spiritual growth. Children’s Ministries Directors from the NSD territory and KUC teachers and translators dedicated two full days to receiving training and direction from Nina Atcheson, curriculum manager and senior editor of the new ‘Alive in Jesus’ curriculum. The comprehensive training sessions covered a wide range of topics, including advanced training in teaching religious education, character development in children, teaching and learning methods for different age groups, teaching children with special needs, the art of storytelling, demonstrations on teaching methods, group interaction sessions, and moments of prayer.
“Our goal is to provide a smooth transition from ‘Grace Link’ to ‘Alive in Jesus’, giving teachers and parents the necessary tools to make this new Sabbath school curriculum a blessing for parents and their children as they study the Bible together at home. It is important to intentionally engage with children and their parents in this new way of teaching and learning,” said Raquel Arrais, Children’s Ministries Director of NSD and main organizer of the training event.
Nina Atcheson spoke to the leaders gathered in Seoul, Korea, 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 also to equip many teachers and parents throughout the Northern Asia-Pacific 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. 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, leaders, and others to model and foster a thriving relationship with Jesus and the children in their spheres of influence.”
The General Conference plans to launch the “Alive in Jesus” curriculum starting with the Baby and Beginner levels in 2025, Kindergarten and Primary in 2026, Junior and Teen in 2027, and Youth in 2028. Translation of the Baby Steps and Beginner levels into various languages is underway in the NSD territory.
Pastor Kim Kwon, NSD Sabbath School Director, stated, “Alive in Jesus will allow children to study in a way that aligns with the current educational methods at school, making it more effective for them to embrace spiritual truths as their own. It is designed so that even newborns can share spiritual lessons with their parents, necessitating parental involvement and promoting their spiritual growth. This prepares families well for awaiting the Second Coming.”
