What is Shine?

Shine: Living in God’s Light is a dynamic Sunday school curriculum that engages Christian communities and families in their life together.

Shine . . .

• calls children to experience the transforming power of God’s love and shine God’s light in the world;
• nurtures trust in God and invites children to follow Jesus;
• encourages imaginative, interactive biblical storytelling;
• explores the meaning of the Bible within the gathered community;
• cultivates the inner life of the Spirit through spiritual practices;
• expresses faith through lives of compassionate peacemaking and service.

Key Scriptures

Three biblical texts provide grounding and inspiration for the Shine curriculum.

Love of God and love of neighbor are at the heart of Jesus’ teachings and example for living.

Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

 —Mark 12:29–31

Within the faith community, we experience the love of Jesus and the fullness of God’s grace.

I pray that, according to the riches of God’s glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

—Ephesians 3:16–19

Just as God sent Jesus into the world, so we are sent into the world to share God’s love and peace with all people.

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

 —2 Corinthians 5:17–20

Goals

As creators of faith formation curriculum for children and youth, we strive to:

Inspire children and youth to follow Jesus by . . .

• Immersing them in the life and teachings of Jesus.

The core task of discipleship is to become more like Jesus. Bible outlines prioritize the study of the Gospels. Children are challenged to allow Jesus’ life and teachings to guide their actions and beliefs.

• Offering a biblical worldview that prioritizes justice, mercy, hospitality, generosity, simplicity, community, and compassion.

While individualism, power, and the accumulation of wealth are held up as important cultural values, Jesus modeled a completely different way of life. Sessions lift up the call of Jesus and the Old Testament prophets for righteousness and justice, with basic human needs met for all people.

• Developing a supportive community of Jesus-followers to accompany them.

Discipleship happens in community. Children and adults grow in faith as they worship and learn together. Each group—no matter how small—is the family of God and the body of Christ.

Cultivate the growing faith of children and youth by . . .

• Creating a welcoming, worshipful environment that honors each child’s uniqueness.

Children thrive as they are welcomed, and their contributions valued and encouraged. Teachers create sacred space for learning that welcomes all children.

• Providing opportunities to nurture the inner life of faith and connect to God through spiritual practices.

Through prayer, silence, music, and ritual, children become attentive to God’s leading and learn to articulate the language of faith.

• Exploring Old and New Testament Bible stories in interactive ways. 

The Bible story is the heart of every session. As leaders and children explore a scripture passage together, they are given a window into God’s work in the world throughout the ages. Children have opportunities to connect the biblical story to their own lives through wondering, reflection, and active responses.

Empower children and youth to transform the world in which they live by . . . 

• Affirming that all people are spiritual beings created in the image of God, known and unconditionally loved by God. 

To live courageously, children need to be grounded in their true identity as beloved children of God. To live compassionately, children must also see other people as God’s beloved.

• Emphasizing active, holistic peacemaking. 

God’s desire is for wholeness for all of creation. The Old Testament concept of shalom demonstrates this breadth: whole and right relationships with God, self, neighbor, and creation. As children develop peacemaking skills, they can become creative peacemakers in a hurting world.

• Collectively reflecting on ways to live as Jesus lived.

All children are called, gifted, and sent by God to carry on the work of Jesus. Hearing Bible stories is only the beginning. With the help of the gathered community, children can identify how to follow Jesus where they live, learn, and play.

Affirm and equip teachers as spiritual leaders by providing . . .

• Content that nurtures the spiritual life of teachers.

The call to teach is an opportunity to share with children in the holy work of forming faith. To prepare for this holy task, teachers engage in Bible study and devotional practices as they prepare to guide children in the session.

• Guidance for how to talk about faith at different age levels.

Faith looks different as children grow and develop. Sessions provide tips for anticipating the questions children at that age level may raise or things they might find difficult and gives support for how to respond.

• Flexible, age-appropriate materials for teachers and families.

Session plans with clear instructions and a handy at-a-glance chart help busy teachers prepare. Teachers and families work as partners in faith formation with easy-to-use, at-home resources.

Who We Are        

Shine: Living in God’s Light is co-published by Brethren Press, publishing ministry of the Church of the Brethren, and MennoMedia, publishing ministry of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. Many know us for our longtime commitment to peace, service, and Christian discipleship. We’re the folks who have brought you the acclaimed Gather ‘Round and Jubilee curricula. We also publish Vacation Bible School curriculum and Generation Why for youth.

In addition to Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada, and the Church of the Brethren, our users include Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Free Methodist Church USA, Moravian Church in North America, Mennonite Brethren, United Church of Canada, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Cumberland Presbyterian, Friends (Quakers), Lutheran, Brethren in Christ, Evangelical Covenant, and nondenominational churches.