Four writing teams have begun their work of drafting teacher and student materials for four program levels of a new WELS school theology curriculum.
Work on this curriculum began in 2023 under the direction of Melanie Giddings, WELS curriculum coordinator. For this task, she assembled a team of people who serve in Lutheran schools, representing all 12 districts and a variety of ministry contexts.
The Theology Curriculum Team has already prepared frameworks for four new Word of God instructional programs for early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school settings. These programs aim to provide a developmentally appropriate approach to growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ for infants through grade 12 students.
As Giddings looks ahead, the team has established a working, multi-year timeline:
2026 – Drafting units and lessons
2027 – Editing and layout for print and digital
2028 – Beta pilot in a sample of WELS schools
2029 – Target release for early childhood and elementary
2030 – Target release for middle school and high school
“There is still much work ahead, but there is a strong foundation that has already been laid by the development team who has faithfully invested the past three years in preparing for this work,” says Giddings. “Our team has confidence that God is directing every step of the way, providing all that we need at just the right time.”
Watch an update from Giddings, detailing more about the work.
Visit Lutheran Schools Resource Center for updates about the theology curriculum project and supporting documents.
Related article: August 2025 Forward in Christ article
