Sunday Morning Experience
In Unity, we use a Living Curriculum philosophy as the basis for our curriculum design. It is a process of spiritual support used to assist people and the church community in co-creating successful living. It honors the inherent wholeness and wisdom within each on of us, and utilizes storytelling and experimental creative expression to "draw out" the Truth we already know.
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Living Curriculum:
  • Involves everyone
  • Is issue based
  • Uses story as the vehicle
  • Lives in the question
  • Elicits creativity
  • Includes a debriefing
The Living Curriculum “is a philosophy, a process and a program of spiritual support to assist children, teens, families and the church community. It seeks to draw the lesson from the student through experiences, stories and creative expression. Through the living curriculum approach lessons are created that will relate to real issues in a person’s life and through a process of questions & discussions, helps them to connect with God and their indwelling Christ spirit." ~ Unity Worldwide Ministries
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Lesson Preparation

Begin by selecting an issue the participants face and then setting an intention.
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The Issue
Since life is all about issues that we are trying to make sense of, focus the lesson on an issue the participates are facing. This helps to create a common bond and is relevant to their lives. Exploring the following will help determine the issues:
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The Intention
Once the issue is determined, define the intention of the lesson and describe the measurable learning objectives. All parts of the lesson reflect and reinforce the issue and intention to be explored.
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Building Community

When we take the time to create a community of learners, everyone can find a place and feel a part of something greater than themselves.
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Taking the time to greet one another shows that each person is welcome and using responsibility cards provides an opportunity for all to be involved.

The Sacred Circle is the time for building community; engaging the children/teens in co-facilitating the experience; sharing announcements, learning about one another and setting the stage for the coming lesson.
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Presenting the Lesson

Once the sacred circle is complete, we move into the body of the lesson.
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The Story
What story, movie passage or experiential activity are you using to introduce the issue or theme and help the children create a connection to it? Any lesson connects better when the participants can have a common experience or see themselves in the story. Then, the discussion is more apt to stay focused on what they have shared together.
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The Discussion
Using the questioning strategy means not being concerned about getting the "right" answer. We, as teachers, need to recognize that life is a process. Our role is to acknowledge; edge a participant's answers as they are learning and growing in life's process. We want to continue to ask the questions as long as possible to allow each participant time to grapple with their own questions and to seek their own answers.
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The Creative Experience
Using the questioning strategy means not being concerned about getting the "right" answer. We, as teachers, need to recognize that life is a process. Our role is to acknowledge; edge a participant's answers as they are learning and growing in life's process. We want to continue to ask the questions as long as possible to allow each participant time to grapple with their own questions and to seek their own answers.
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The Closing
Allow time for the participants to share what the lesson meant to them. Also encourage them to continue exploring the issue and intention on their own by asking them to take a particular action that is related to the story. Help them to make the lesson relevant to their lives.