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| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. Sept. 2 | Women of Courage | Exodus 1:1–2:10 | The Israelites are fruitful and multiply despite being oppressed. Shiphrah and Puah save the Hebrew boys. Moses’ sister and Pharaoh’s daughter save Moses. | God gives us courage. |
| 2. Sept. 9 | Moses and the burning bush | Exodus 3:1–4:17 | An angel appears to Moses in a bush that burns but is not consumed. God calls Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt and tells him that the Israelites will listen to him. | God is with us when we step out in faith. |
| 3. Sept. 16 | Let my people go | Exodus 7–11 | Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh but Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he refuses to let the Israelites leave Egypt. God sends nine plagues and warns of a tenth. | God never gives up. |
| 4. Sept. 23 | The first Passover | Exodus 12:1–13:16 | God explains Passover and sends the tenth plague. The Israelites leave Egypt, taking along dough that has not had time to rise. Israel’s firstborn are consecrated. | Younger: We show gratitude to God. Older: Because of our deliverance, we show gratitude to God. |
| 5. Sept. 30 | Crossing the Red Sea | Exodus 13:17–15:21 | God leads the people to the Red Sea as Pharaoh pursues them. Moses separates the waters with his staff and the Israelites pass through. The women celebrate. | God frees us. |
| 6. Oct. 7 Oct. 8: Thanksgiving (Canada) |
Food from heaven | Exodus 15:22–17:7 | The Israelites enter Shur and complain about the lack of food and water. God hears their cries and gives them quails and enough bread and water for each day. | God provides for our needs. |
| 7. Oct. 14 | Ten commandments | Exodus 19:1–20:21 | The Israelites reach Mount Sinai and receive the Ten Commandments. God gives laws to Moses and covenants to be with them as they enter the Promised Land. | God gives us guidance for relationships. |
| 8. Oct. 21 | Covenant broken and renewed | Exodus 24:12–18; 32–34 | While Moses is on the mountain, the people beg Aaron to make gods for them. Aaron makes a golden calf. God is angry, but forgives the people and renews the covenant. | God shows mercy and forgiveness. |
| 9. Oct. 28 | Moving toward Canaan |
Numbers 13–14 | Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan. Ten of the spies bring an unfavorable report. The other two, Joshua and Caleb, encourage the people to occupy the land. | God’s truth will prevail. |
| 10. Nov. 4 | Moses steps down | Numbers 27, Deuteronomy 34 | Moses judges an inheritance case. He listens to God and appoints Joshua as the people’s new leader. Moses sees the Promised Land, dies, and is honored. | God helps us make good decisions. |
| 11. Nov. 11 | Into Jericho | Joshua 2, 6 | Rahab helps the Israelite spies escape from the king of Jericho. Jericho’s walls fall down and God’s promise of a land is fulfilled. Rahab’s family is spared. | God calls us to be strong and courageous. |
| 12. Nov. 18 Nov. 22: Thanksgiving (United States) |
Renewing the covenant | Joshua 24:1–28 | Before his death, Joshua calls on the people to choose whom they will serve, God or the gods of their ancestors. The people choose to serve God. | We choose to serve God. |
| 13. Nov. 25 | Gideon’s call | Judges 6–7 | Israel turns from God and is punished. God gives Gideon signs that he is to save the people. Gideon defeats the Midianites but refuses the people’s call to be king. | God’s call is persistent. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. Dec. 2 First Sunday of Advent |
The coming one | Isaiah 2:1-4 | Isaiah foretells a time when people will seek to know the ways of God. When nations turn to God and follow God’s instruction, peace will follow. | We wait for the One who brings peace. |
| 2. Dec. 9 Second Sunday of Advent |
John the Baptist prepares the way | Matthew 3:1–12 | John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord, urging people to repent and be baptized. John baptizes with water, but says one more powerful is still to come. | Older: We prepare for the challenge of God’s new way. Younger: We prepare for God’s new way. |
| 3. Dec. 16 Third Sunday of Advent |
An angel visits Joseph | Matthew 1:1–25 | Joseph is a descendant of Abraham. An angel says that Mary, Joseph’s fiancée, will have a baby from the Holy Spirit. Joseph weds Mary and they name their son Jesus. | We trust in God’s extraordinary ways. |
| 4. Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent |
Jesus is born | Luke 2:1–20 | Jesus is born in a Bethlehem stable while Joseph and Mary are there registering in a census. An angel tells nearby shepherds of the birth and they come to see Jesus. | We marvel at the birth of a Savior. |
| 5. Dec. 30 | A visit and escape | Matthew 2:1–23 | The magi honor Jesus and offer gifts. They do not tell Herod where the baby can be found. An angel warns Joseph to escape with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. | We recognize and worship Jesus as our true leader. |
| 6. Jan. 6 Epiphany Sunday |
Jesus is baptized and tempted | Matthew 3:13–4:11 | John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. The Spirit of God descends on Jesus. He is identified as the Son of God, and is led into the wilderness and tempted by the devil. | In baptism, we publicly choose to follow God, no matter what. |
| 7. Jan. 13 | Jesus calls disciples | Matthew 4:12–22; 9:9–13 | Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee. He calls fishermen and a tax collector to be his disciples. Jesus says he has come to call sinners, not the righteous. | Jesus invites us to follow him together. |
| 8. Jan. 20 | Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes | Matthew 5:1–16 | Jesus offers nine blessings to the cast off and the faithful, and to those who do good to others. Jesus calls his disciples to be salt and light for the world. | True happiness comes from faithful living. |
| 9. Jan. 27 | Sermon on the Mount: Loving others | Matthew 5:38–48 | Jesus reinterprets laws about justice. Instead of retribution, Jesus calls the disciples to extend compassion, go the extra mile, and love their neighbors. | Jesus teaches us to show love to everyone. |
| 10. Feb. 3 Feb. 6: Ash Wednesday |
Spiritual practices | Matthew 6:1–18 | Jesus teaches the disciples to give to charity anonymously, to pray humbly, and to fast privately. God rewards faithful acts done in secret. | Jesus teaches us how to live our faith. |
| 11. Feb. 10 First Sunday in Lent |
Commissioning of the twelve | Matthew 9:35–11:1 | Jesus sends out the disciples to proclaim God’s kingdom, cast out demons, and heal illness. They are to rely on the generosity of strangers, who will be rewarded. | Older: Jesus sends us out on a risky venture. Younger: Jesus sends us out to do God’s work. |
| 12. Feb. 17 Second Sunday in Lent |
Forgiving others | Matthew 18:15–22 | Jesus instructs members of the community to work to resolve their disputes. He promises to be with those who gather in his name. He calls on people to forgive freely. | Jesus expects us to make relationships right. |
| 13. Feb. 24 Third Sunday in Lent |
Caring for the least | Matthew 25:31–46 | Jesus will return in glory and separate people based on their treatment of those who are sick, hungry, imprisoned, or strangers. | The way we care for others is the way we care for Jesus. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. March 2 Fourth Sunday in Lent |
Coming death and transfiguration | Matthew 16:21–17:13 | Jesus predicts his death and resurrection. He takes three disciples to a mountain, Moses and Elijah appear, God speaks from a cloud, and Jesus is transfigured. | Set your mind on God. |
| 2. March 9 Fifth Sunday in Lent |
The Last Supper | Matthew 26:20–35 | Jesus celebrates Passover with the disciples and predicts that one of his twelve disciples will betray him. Jesus says that all twelve will desert him. | MA:
Communion helps us remember God’s love for us. Others: God loves us even though we fall short. |
| 3. March 16 Palm Sunday |
Jesus’ trial and death | Matthew 26:36–27:66 | Jesus prays alone before he is arrested and put on trial. He is rejected by the high priest, denied by Peter, and handed over to the governor to be crucified. | PS: We care for others when they are sad. Others: Jesus’ suffering changes us. |
| 4. March 23 Easter Sunday |
Jesus is risen! | Matthew 28 | An angel tells the women that Jesus is alive. Jesus meets the women on the road; they tell the disciples. Jesus commissions the disciples to extend his ministry. | Jesus lives again and is always with us. |
| 5. March 30 | Conversion of Saul | Acts 9:1–19 | Saul is blinded on the road to Damascus and held accountable for persecuting Christians. He converts and is baptized. | God calls surprising people. |
| 6. April 6 | Paul’s first missionary journey | Acts 13–14 | Paul and Barnabas make their first missionary journey. They preach in Cyprus, then sail to Antioch, and later preach in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. | God calls us to open the doors of faith to others. |
| 7. April 13 | Jerusalem council | Acts 15:1–35 | A council meets at Jerusalem to discuss if Gentiles need to follow Jewish law and be circumcised. The council then sends Judas and Silas to work with Paul and Barnabas. | Focus on what matters to God. |
| 8. April 20 | Paul’s ministry | Acts 16 | Timothy joins Paul and Silas. Lydia and her household convert. Paul and Silas exercise a demon and are imprisoned; they convert the jailer and his family. | God calls us to mission. |
| 9. April 27 | Uproar in Thessalonica | Acts 17:1–15 | Paul preaches about Jesus in a synagogue in Thessalonica. Some are persuaded to believe in Jesus but others become jealous. A mob searches for Paul and Silas. | God’s people turn the world upside down. |
| 10. May 4 | Paul in Athens | Acts 17:16–34 | While in Athens, Paul takes notice of the many idols. He argues in the synagogue and marketplace before preaching at the Areopagus about the true God. | PS: The God of creation calls everyone. Others: To share the good news, start with common ground. |
| 11. May 11 Pentecost |
Spiritual gifts | 1 Corinthians 12 | Paul speaks of spiritual gifts, acknowledging that each person has his or her own gifts. He calls everyone to use their gifts to enhance the church. | Each of us has gifts for the common good. |
| 12. May 18 | Paul in Ephesus | Acts 18:24–19:41 | Paul’s journey takes him to Ephesus and he continues to make disciples. He also performs miracles. Later, the Ephesians riot as they debate the identity of God. | PS: We learn more and more about God's love. Others: We are called to a deeper life of faith. |
| 13. May 25 | Paul before Ephesian elders | Acts 20:17–38 | Paul meets the elders of the Ephesian church and speaks of his previous ministries and advice, warning them to remain strong even as he leaves them. | PS: God is with us now and always. Others: The Holy Spirit leads us to the future. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. June 1 | Loving your enemies | Matthew 5:43–48 | Jesus teaches the disciples to love everyone and to pray for those who persecute them so that they may be children of God. Loving one’s enemies is a reflection of God’s love. | Love everyone. |
| 2. June 8 | Heeding God’s commands | Exodus 20:1–18 | God gives the people rules for living. Four commandments talk about human relationships with God. The other six teach people how to relate to each other. | The Bible teaches us how to act toward God and others. |
| 3. June 15 | Loving each other | Mark 12:28–34 | Jesus tells a scribe that the first commandment is to love God; the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe then affirms this truth. | Love God and your neighbor with your whole self. |
| 4. June 22 | Restoring relationships and the land | Leviticus 25:8–55; Luke 4:16–20 |
In Leviticus, God decrees the year of Jubilee, when equal relationships will be restored among the people. In Luke, Jesus declares this to be his mission. | We follow Jesus to bring Jubilee. |
| 5. June 29 | Knowing when to walk away | Genesis 26:12–33 | Isaac is envied by the Philistines for his wealth. The king sends Isaac away but later recognizes that God is with Isaac. The two covenant with one other and part in peace. | Depart in peace. |
| 6. July 6 | Elisha turns back the soldiers | 2 Kings 6:8–23 | Elisha thwarts a plan for attack by the army of Aram. God blinds the army and leads them to the Israelites. The king of Israel is told to feed the Arameans and send them in peace. | Use words to make peace. |
| 7. July 13 | Abigail averts war | 1 Samuel 25:1–35 | David and his men prepare for war because Nabal has insulted them. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, averts war by offering gifts and apologizing for Nabal’s actions. | Say you're sorry. |
| 8. July 20 | Working together for peace | Romans 12:9–21 | Paul writes of loving one another with mutual affection. He says to be hopeful and patient, show hospitality, bless persecutors, and live in peace with everyone. | Overcome evil with good. |
| 9. July 27 | We are one body | Ephesians 4:1–16 | Paul writes that believers are one body in Christ, called to maintain the unity of the Spirit. He says that each member has gifts to contribute for the health of the body. | Live in the unity of the Spirit. |
| 10. Aug. 3 | Visions of peace | Isaiah 65:17–25 | Isaiah tells people to rejoice in what God is creating: a new heaven and earth. There will be no more weeping and all of creation will live together in peace. | We celebrate a new heaven and earth. |
| 11. Aug. 10 | Don’t play favorites | James 2:1–13 | James says that Christians must not favor the wealthy over the poor. They are to love their neighbors as themselves and show mercy to others, for mercy triumphs over judgment. | Treat everyone fairly. |
| 12. Aug. 17 | Dressed for peace | Ephesians 6:10–20 | Paul counsels Christians to wear the armor of God, which has no weapons but contains truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. | Get ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. |
| 13. Aug. 24 | Jesus speaks of love |
John 15:12–21 | Jesus tells the disciples to love one another as they have been loved by him. Just as the world has hated Jesus, his followers should expect to be misunderstood and persecuted. | Reach out with love. |
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