OCA Releases 15 Lessons in 'Blessed is the Kingdom' Curriculum

SPRINGFIELD, VA — The Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) Department of Christian Education has released 15 of 32 planned lessons in its “Blessed is the Kingdom” school-age curriculum, providing additional resources for parishes and Church School teachers.

The curriculum is designed to help Orthodox Christian students grow in their understanding of the faith while coordinating parish education with the themes of the OCA’s “Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs” adult teaching series. The completed lessons span three additional grade levels and address subjects including the Beatitudes, worship, the liturgical year, the communion of saints, icons and relics, and the Holy Trinity.

Written by Kelly Potteiger, the series follows the format she used for earlier lesson collections, including “All of Creation Rejoices” and “Let Your Light So Shine.” The lessons incorporate Scripture and liturgical texts while providing detailed instructions and scripted material intended to make them accessible even to teachers with little classroom experience.

The curriculum emphasizes interactive learning through questions, activities, and crafts rather than relying primarily on written exercises. The OCA Department of Christian Education plans for the complete project to contain 32 lessons covering preschool through middle school, with high school lessons also envisioned for the future.

The completed lessons are available through the Department of Christian Education’s “Blessed is the Kingdom” curriculum webpage. The OCA also encourages support for the work of its departments through the Stewards of the Orthodox Church in America.

Previously, the UOJ reported that St. Sava Academy opened the school year with record enrollment.