Theological Foundations
StoryLine curriculum is grounded in the historic creeds of the Christian Church (Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed). Our hope is that the curriculum could be used across a wide range of communities within the historic Christian tradition. In addition, this curriculum is being developed with the following core theological foundations in view:
-
God is first revealed to us in the Bible and in our lives as a good creator (exuberant artist) in whom all of life finds their creative purpose and fulfillment.
-
As God in essence is relational, so we are all placed in a community of relationships with God, other people, animals, plants, the earth, etc. and it is in that web of relationships that human beings discover and understand their purpose.
-
God’s desire is for all creation to live in harmony with one another and experience shalom by walking in God’s way - the way of love, but human beings have freely strayed away from that path. As a result, fear, shame and all kinds of evil and injustice are present in the world.
-
Jesus is the ultimate act of God’s salvation revealing God’s desire for restored relationships. As such, Jesus provides healing and hope for the pain and brokenness of our world. As God in flesh, Jesus both reveals what God is like and what it means to be truly human.
-
Human beings have been given the privilege and responsibility of participating in God’s reconciling work in Christ by cultivating good, working for justice, caring for the common good and celebrating the diversity of creation.
Learning Targets
Storyline curriculum is designed around four learning targets.
-
We want all kids to be in awe of Creator, creation and their place in it all.
-
We want all kids to know about God’s interactions with Israel and the world as told in the Bible and to learn what these interactions tell us about God.
-
We want all kids to see themselves as created by God with great intentionality and care for a purpose larger than themselves.
-
We want all kids to imagine a different world, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and to take actions consistent with that imagination.