One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, what curriculum do we use in our student environments at Mud Creek? The answer is, whatever is out there that will help communicate the content of the Bible text, doctrine or character that is currently on our curriculum map. We map out a year's worth of biblical content and then pull the creative context to that content. One of the greatest tools written for curriculum mapping is 7 Checkpoints by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall.
Authentic Faith
This checkpoint focuses on a correct understanding of faith. Faith is confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will do all He has promised to do.
Principle: God can be trusted; He will do all He has promised to do.
Critical Question: Are your students trusting God with the critical areas of their life?
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Spiritual Disciplines
The focus of this checkpoint is a student's devotional life. The apostle Paul assures us that transformation begins with a renewed mind. As students begin to renew their minds to the truths of Scripture, their attitudes and behavior will change.
Principle: If we could see as God sees, we would do as God says.
Critical Question: Are your students developing a consistent devotional and prayer life?
Key Passage: Romans 12:2
Moral Boundaries
Purity paves the way to intimacy. One of the most important things a student can do is establish limits. Students need to learn how to protect their body and emotions by honoring God's plan for sex and morality.
Principle: Purity paves the way to intimacy.
Critical Question: Are your students establishing and maintaining moral boundaries?
Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Healthy Friendships
The people our students associate with the most will determine the direction and quality of their lives. This principle focuses on helping our teenagers build healthy friendships while avoiding unhealthy ones.
Principle: Our friends determine the direction and quality of our lives.
Critical Question: Are your students establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy ones?
Key Passage: Proverbs 13:20
Wise Choices
In light of past experience and future dreams, students need to ask themselves "What is the wise thing to do?" Good decision making is more than simply choosing between right and wrong. This principle focuses on the necessity of wisdom in decision making.
Principle: Walk wisely.
Critical Question: Are your students making wise decisions?
Key Passage: Ephesians 5:15-17
Ultimate Authority
Freedom and authority are often viewed as opposing concepts. But the Scriptures teach that freedom is found under authority. This principle focuses on the need for students to stay under the authorities that God has placed over them.
Principle: Maximum freedom is found under God's authority.
Critical Question: Are your students submitting to the authorities God has placed over them?
Key Passage: Romans 13:1-2
Others First
Selfishness comes natural. Selflessness must be learned. The hallmark of a believer is his or her willingness to put the needs of others ahead of their own. This principle addresses our student's propensity toward selfishness and self-centeredness.
Principle: Others First
Critical Question: Are your students putting the needs of others ahead of their own?
Key Passage: Philippians 2:3-11
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I believe that if a student travels through these relevant biblical checkpoints every year guided by a text, doctrine or character they are well on their way to facing the culture as an adult. The 7 Checkpoint team has developed curriculum and samples can be downloaded here. This downloadable material can be geared to the different purposes of your environments. We have also discovered that these content rich curriculum resources can be plugged into our environments and our map. Doug Fields Simply Youth Ministry
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LifeWay Biblical Solutions for Life Life Track & Vital Truth
Youth Specialties TalkSheets
Student Discipleship Ministries
Remember we are not teaching curriculum to students we are teaching students the Bible. These resources are tools to help us communicate the content of God’s Word in a relevant way to the current youth culture. What other contect rich resources have you used and would recommend?
