NETWORK CHILDREN'S CURRICULUM

The following internally-developed curriculum was used for kids' programming at Vine Church in Carbondale, Illinois, from January 2019 to December 2020. The topics mirror those of Network small group discussions, which operate on a two-year cycle. While covering a range of subjects, the lessons and activities often reinforce the idea that children should unquestioningly follow and obey Network leaders, prioritizing them over their own families and caregivers.

WHY DOES THIS CURRICULUM MATTER?

By systematically training children from the age of three to place blind trust in leaders, Network children's programs prepare young people to continue surrendering their autonomy to spiritual leaders upon reaching adulthood. This curriculum is concerning because former members claim that Network leaders exhibit spiritually abusive patterns, using ecclesiastical authority to manipulate and control their followers to their detriment.

For more context on how Network members are commanded to "be of one mind" with their leaders and obey them in all matters, see Network President Steve Morgan's 2011 teaching "Followers Must Trust and Obey Their Leaders," Network Vice President Sándor Paull's 2018 teaching "Followers Should Obey Their Leaders in All Matters," pastor Scott Joseph's 2022 teaching "Followers Are Subject to Church Leaders," and pastor Dan Digman's 2021 teaching "God Speaks to Us Through Our Leaders."

See Jeff Miller's article on Biblical Leadership for a thorough refutation of these teachings.

VINE CHURCH CHILDREN'S CURRICULUM (2019-2020)

Note — The Vine Church Kids' program is divided into three classrooms: The Jungle Room (3 year-olds to Kindergarten), The Congo Room (1st to 3rd grade), and the Pipeline Room (4th to 5th grade). After 5th grade, students transition to Junior High and High School programs.