Forty-five conference-level children’s ministry leaders and presenters from six Pacific Northwest conferences were among the first to explore and experience the training for the new Alive in Jesus Bible curriculum for children.
The orientation marks the initial phase of training in preparation for the 2025 launch of the Baby Steps and Beginners curriculum for 0- to 3-year-olds.
“Alive in Jesus is beautifully illustrated with the goal of discipling disciples for Jesus,” said Velvet Lang, North Pacific Union children’s ministry leader. 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 that is produced by the Seventh-day Adventist world 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,” said Sherri Uhrig, North American Division children’s ministry director.
Northwest training for the new Alive in Jesus Bible curriculum for children's Sabbath Schools is available in English and Spanish.
North American Division trainers are equipping conference-level children's ministry leaders to provide local training about children's faith development, multiple intelligence and special needs.
Sherri Uhrig, North American Division children's ministry director, explains how grace, character development and mission are the foundational pillars in the new Alive in Jesus Bible curriculum for children.
Forty-five children's ministry leaders and presenters from all six conference in the Pacific Northwest are among the first to preview the new Alive in Jesus Bible curriculum for children.
The Alive in Jesus Bible curriculum seeks to equip and empower parents, caregivers, Sabbath School leaders and others to model and foster a thriving relationship with Jesus to children and youth in their spheres of influence.
The role of the Sabbath School teacher is to facilitate the growing environment for the Holy Spirit to transform children into faithful disciples of Christ.
Nitza Salazar, Idaho Conference volunteer children's ministry leader, interacts with a baby model during the Alive in Jesus curriculum orientation for the Pacific Northwest conference leaders and presenters.
Hands-on training with the new Alive in Jesus curriculum gives leaders an opportunity to experience the familiar and expanded songs, activities, Bible stories and general teaching principles for engaging and supporting faith development.
Children's ministry leaders around the world are preparing for the 2025 release of Babies and Beginners; the 2026 release of Kindergarten and Primary; and the 2027 release of Juniors and Earliteens.
Each conference will soon be hosting local Alive in Jesus orientation and training workshops to equip local Sabbath School leaders.
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,” said Jana Lee, Oregon Conference children’s ministry director.
Including a clear Seventh-day Adventist worldview and the 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,” said Liz Geary, Montana Conference volunteer children’s ministry leader. “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,” reflected Laura Jean-Francois, who is one of four Alaska Conference volunteer children’s ministry leaders.
“I’m excited about the Alive in Jesus curriculum because it includes multiple intelligences for how children learn at whatever age, stage or need,” said Nitza Salazar, Idaho Conference volunteer children’s ministry leader. “You’ll love it!”
