Faith Forward Formation Resources
Church School Curriculum + Vacation Bible School Curriculum
Where faith moves forward—from Scripture into life, from belief into practice, from one generation into the next.
Faith Forward is a family of formation-centered resources created for churches, ministries, families, and faith communities who want more than information alone. These resources are designed to help people encounter Scripture, reflect deeply, practice faithfully, and carry faith into everyday life.
Whether your church is preparing for weekly Christian education, seasonal small groups, intergenerational gatherings, home study, or Vacation Bible School, Faith Forward provides resources shaped by biblical teaching, pastoral care, practical guidance, and lived formation.
Faith Forward Church School Curriculum
A Church School & Home Quarterly for the Faith Community
Faith Forward Curriculum: A Quick Introduction.
Fall 2026 Now Available
Where faith moves forward— from Scripture into life,
from belief into practice, from one generation into the next.
Also Available: Faith Forward VBS
A Formation-Centered Vacation Bible School Experience
Available in three adaptable formats:
Faith Forward VBS helps churches guide children beyond performance-based programming into lived faith formation. Through Scripture, story, reflection, movement, creativity, conversation, and blessing, children are invited to encounter God’s presence, practice trust, receive love, participate in community, and carry faith forward into everyday life.
Faith Forward VBS is designed for churches that want Vacation Bible School to be more than an event. It is a discipleship experience shaped to help children listen, belong, grow, serve, and go forward with faith.
Five-Day Formation Journey
A full VBS experience for churches offering a complete week of formation, worship, story, activity, reflection, and sending.
This edition is ideal for churches with a traditional Monday–Friday VBS schedule, larger volunteer teams, or communities wanting the fullest version of the Faith Forward VBS journey.
A full VBS experience for churches offering a complete week of formation, worship, story, activity, reflection, and sending.
This edition is ideal for churches with a traditional Monday–Friday VBS schedule, larger volunteer teams, or communities wanting the fullest version of the Faith Forward VBS journey.
Three-Day Intensive
A focused midweek, weekend, or shortened VBS model for churches needing a shorter but still deeply meaningful formation experience.
This edition is ideal for churches with limited time, shared ministry schedules, smaller volunteer teams, or a desire to offer VBS in a more concentrated format.
A focused midweek, weekend, or shortened VBS model for churches needing a shorter but still deeply meaningful formation experience.
This edition is ideal for churches with limited time, shared ministry schedules, smaller volunteer teams, or a desire to offer VBS in a more concentrated format.
One-Day Formation Experience
A single-day VBS option for smaller churches, family ministry days, outreach events, Saturday gatherings, or churches with limited volunteer capacity.
This edition is ideal for ministries that want a complete, meaningful VBS experience in one intentional gathering.
A single-day VBS option for smaller churches, family ministry days, outreach events, Saturday gatherings, or churches with limited volunteer capacity.
This edition is ideal for ministries that want a complete, meaningful VBS experience in one intentional gathering.
Each VBS edition includes adult lesson integration and is supported by a corresponding printable PDF Leader Guide and VBS certificate resources.
Two Pathways. One Formation Vision.
Faith Forward Church School Curriculum and Faith Forward VBS share the same heart: helping faith move from lesson to life.
The Church School Curriculum supports ongoing weekly formation through Scripture, reflection, story, discussion, and practical faith action.
The VBS Curriculum supports seasonal children’s ministry through embodied learning, creativity, community, and spiritual practice.
Together, they help churches nurture faith across ages, settings, seasons, and schedules.
The Church School Curriculum supports ongoing weekly formation through Scripture, reflection, story, discussion, and practical faith action.
The VBS Curriculum supports seasonal children’s ministry through embodied learning, creativity, community, and spiritual practice.
Together, they help churches nurture faith across ages, settings, seasons, and schedules.
What It Is
Faith formation does not happen all at once. It unfolds.
Faith Forward is designed for churches and faith communities that want resources rooted in Scripture, shaped by pastoral wisdom, and written with practical ministry in mind.
Rather than centering performance, entertainment, or memorization alone, Faith Forward invites learners into intentional rhythms of spiritual growth. Through Scripture, story, reflection, discussion, embodied practice, and blessing, participants are invited to experience faith as something lived—not merely learned.
Faith Forward resources are built for churches that want to teach the Bible faithfully while also helping people discern how faith shapes daily life, relationships, community, justice, service, and hope.
Rather than centering performance, entertainment, or memorization alone, Faith Forward invites learners into intentional rhythms of spiritual growth. Through Scripture, story, reflection, discussion, embodied practice, and blessing, participants are invited to experience faith as something lived—not merely learned.
Faith Forward resources are built for churches that want to teach the Bible faithfully while also helping people discern how faith shapes daily life, relationships, community, justice, service, and hope.
What Makes Faith Forward Different
Faith Forward is rooted in three convictions:
1. Faith is lived before it is explained.
Each resource includes opportunities for reflection, story, conversation, and action. Learners are not only asked what they know. They are invited to consider how faith is being formed in them and lived through them.
2. Community is essential to spiritual growth.
Faith grows across generations, cultures, and life stages. Faith Forward creates room for shared wisdom, honest questions, thoughtful discussion, and communal encouragement.
3. Direction matters more than speed.
Formation is not rushed. Faith Forward gives leaders and learners permission to move with intention. The goal is not simply to finish material, but to help people walk faithfully with God.
1. Faith is lived before it is explained.
Each resource includes opportunities for reflection, story, conversation, and action. Learners are not only asked what they know. They are invited to consider how faith is being formed in them and lived through them.
2. Community is essential to spiritual growth.
Faith grows across generations, cultures, and life stages. Faith Forward creates room for shared wisdom, honest questions, thoughtful discussion, and communal encouragement.
3. Direction matters more than speed.
Formation is not rushed. Faith Forward gives leaders and learners permission to move with intention. The goal is not simply to finish material, but to help people walk faithfully with God.
How the Church School Curriculum Flows
Every weekly lesson follows a steady rhythm that helps teachers lead without rushing and helps learners grow without pressure:
• Opening Reflection
• A Listening Moment
• Scripture Focus
• Biblical Teaching
• Discussion Questions
• Faith in Action
• A Week in the Word
This rhythm helps each lesson move from Scripture into reflection, from reflection into conversation, and from conversation into faithful practice.
• A Listening Moment
• Scripture Focus
• Biblical Teaching
• Discussion Questions
• Faith in Action
• A Week in the Word
This rhythm helps each lesson move from Scripture into reflection, from reflection into conversation, and from conversation into faithful practice.
How the VBS Curriculum Flows
Faith Forward VBS follows a formation-centered movement designed to help children experience faith with their whole selves.
Through Scripture, story, movement, creativity, reflection, and blessing, children are invited to:
• Encounter God’s presence
• Practice trust
• Receive and reflect God’s love
• Participate in faithful community
• Carry faith forward into everyday life
Each VBS edition adapts this formation journey according to the time available: one day, three days, or five days.
• Encounter God’s presence
• Practice trust
• Receive and reflect God’s love
• Participate in faithful community
• Carry faith forward into everyday life
Each VBS edition adapts this formation journey according to the time available: one day, three days, or five days.
Scope & Sequence Alignment
Faith Forward Church School Curriculum follows the canonical biblical roadmap of the International Sunday School Lessons, the historic framework ordering biblical study across the Christian year.
No proprietary lesson text or commentary from other publishers is reproduced.
This means your community receives:
• Continuity across Scripture over time
• A clear biblical arc, not isolated weekly topics
• Original teaching and story-driven formation
• Culturally aware and church-ready lessons
• Practical tools for teachers, leaders, families, and learners
No proprietary lesson text or commentary from other publishers is reproduced.
This means your community receives:
• Continuity across Scripture over time
• A clear biblical arc, not isolated weekly topics
• Original teaching and story-driven formation
• Culturally aware and church-ready lessons
• Practical tools for teachers, leaders, families, and learners
Plan Your Ministry Year Ahead
Want to coordinate your sermon schedule, design worship sets, prepare your teachers, or give your ministry team a head start?
Download our comprehensive, print-ready annual guide mapping out all 52 weekly lessons.
Fall Quarter 2026
Fall Quarter 2026 — Generations: From Canaan to Jerusalem
Entering Promise → Remembering the Story → Carrying the Legacy
September 2026 — Entering Promise
October 2026 — Remembering the Story
November 2026 — Carrying the Legacy
Entering Promise → Remembering the Story → Carrying the Legacy
September 2026 — Entering Promise
October 2026 — Remembering the Story
November 2026 — Carrying the Legacy
Free Companions
Teacher & Facilitator Notes
A formation companion for leaders, built to support pacing, posture, and discussion that invites discernment rather than debate.
A formation companion for leaders, built to support pacing, posture, and discussion that invites discernment rather than debate.
Faith Forward Kids
A children’s faith formation companion for church school and home. Includes simple activities, prayers, and big ideas aligned to the monthly arc.
Designed for ages 4–10.
A children’s faith formation companion for church school and home. Includes simple activities, prayers, and big ideas aligned to the monthly arc.
Designed for ages 4–10.
Permissions & Use
Faith Forward Curriculum is a quarterly religious education resource published by Scribe & Canvas Publishing. Limited reproduction is granted for churches, schools, nonprofit ministries, and small groups for local instructional use when credit is retained and content is not sold or distributed commercially.
Faith Forward VBS resources are published for church and ministry use. Churches and ministry teams may use the purchased edition and its companion resources for local Vacation Bible School, children’s ministry, family ministry, and related instructional settings according to the permissions included in each resource.
For permissions beyond local instructional use, including translation, adaptation, anthology inclusion, licensing, or commercial distribution, contact: permissions@scribeandcanvas.com
Faith Forward VBS resources are published for church and ministry use. Churches and ministry teams may use the purchased edition and its companion resources for local Vacation Bible School, children’s ministry, family ministry, and related instructional settings according to the permissions included in each resource.
For permissions beyond local instructional use, including translation, adaptation, anthology inclusion, licensing, or commercial distribution, contact: permissions@scribeandcanvas.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Faith Forward only for Sunday School?
No. Faith Forward Church School Curriculum is designed for church school, Sunday School, small groups, intergenerational gatherings, and home study.
Faith Forward VBS is designed for Vacation Bible School, children’s ministry events, family ministry days, and seasonal formation gatherings.
Do we have to finish every section each week?
No. The curriculum is a path to walk, not a script to perform. Choose what fits your community’s pace.
Which VBS edition should our church choose?
Choose the Five-Day Formation Journey if your church wants a full weeklong VBS experience.
Choose the Three-Day Intensive if your church needs a shorter but still complete VBS model.
Choose the One-Day Formation Experience if your church needs a single-day option for a focused gathering, outreach event, family ministry day, or smaller volunteer team.
Are adult lessons included in the VBS editions?
Yes. Each VBS edition includes adult lesson integration so the formation vision can serve more than children alone.
Are leader guides included?
Each VBS edition is supported by a corresponding printable PDF Leader Guide and certificate resources.
What Bible translation is used?
Faith Forward Church School Curriculum uses the New International Version (NIV). Faith Forward VBS editions use the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), unless otherwise noted. Each publication includes the applicable Scripture copyright and permissions notice on its copyright page.
No. Faith Forward Church School Curriculum is designed for church school, Sunday School, small groups, intergenerational gatherings, and home study.
Faith Forward VBS is designed for Vacation Bible School, children’s ministry events, family ministry days, and seasonal formation gatherings.
Do we have to finish every section each week?
No. The curriculum is a path to walk, not a script to perform. Choose what fits your community’s pace.
Which VBS edition should our church choose?
Choose the Five-Day Formation Journey if your church wants a full weeklong VBS experience.
Choose the Three-Day Intensive if your church needs a shorter but still complete VBS model.
Choose the One-Day Formation Experience if your church needs a single-day option for a focused gathering, outreach event, family ministry day, or smaller volunteer team.
Are adult lessons included in the VBS editions?
Yes. Each VBS edition includes adult lesson integration so the formation vision can serve more than children alone.
Are leader guides included?
Each VBS edition is supported by a corresponding printable PDF Leader Guide and certificate resources.
What Bible translation is used?
Faith Forward Church School Curriculum uses the New International Version (NIV). Faith Forward VBS editions use the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), unless otherwise noted. Each publication includes the applicable Scripture copyright and permissions notice on its copyright page.
Ready to help your church move from belief into lived faith?
Start with the current Faith Forward Church School Curriculum quarter for weekly teaching, small groups, and home study.
Or bring the same formation-centered vision into your summer ministry through Faith Forward VBS.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
— Ephesians 2:10