Summary of Project

Adolescence is a critical time for developing ethnic identity, serving as a protective factor for ethnic minority youth. Despite the benefits of fostering a healthy ethnic identity, U.S. churches have been slow to address this need, as most curricula overlook the challenges faced by youth of color. This disconnect can lead to minority adolescents feeling estranged from their faith. This project aims to create a curriculum for ethnic minority and multiethnic adolescents, using Scriptural models to guide their identity development. Lessons will focus on bicultural and multicultural Bible characters, helping youth connect their spiritual and ethnic identities as part of God’s plan.

Purpose

Goals

• Facilitate conversations within the church about ethic-racial identity; specifically within youth groups, Bible studies, camps, conferences, spiritual retreats, Christian schools, Sunday school, family devotions, ect. 

• Examine how God uses racial-ethnic identities to accomplish His purpose by studying Bible characters

• Emphasize how immigrant experiences and cultural identities are a part of God's plan and higher purposes

Why is Ethnic-Racial Identity Important?

• Ethnic identity is crucial for mental health and spiritual maturity

• Ethnic identity is an integral part of one's self-concept

• Adolescence is a crucial time to develop a healthy ethnic-racial identity

• To show the relevance of the Bible in adolescent lives as ethnic minorities

• To develop effective leaders in a multicultural world

• To preserve the current and future generations of adolescents in the church

• Bridge the gap between ethnic-racial identity and Biblical identity

Benefits of a Healthy Ethnic-Racial Identity

Psychological studies show the following benefits for adolescents with a healthy ethnic-racial identity:

About the Lab

Interested in recieving the curriculum?

The Curriculum

The curriculum is comprised by 16 lessons, each with its own set of activities, objectives, and goals. A general layout of the curriculum is described below:

 Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction

God uses people’s cultural identities, experiences, 

skills, and perspectives.

PART 1: 

Stories of immigrants and refugees

Chapter 2: Jesus and the gentile woman

As an infant, Jesus’ parents became refugees in 

Egypt, fleeing from Herod.

Chapter 3: Abraham and Hagar

God called Abraham to immigrate to Canaan, and 

during a famine went to Egypt.

Chapter 4: Joseph and Judah

Trafficked to Egypt and enslaved, God raised 

Joseph up to save his family.

Chapter 5: Ruth and Rahab

Canaanite/Moabite refugee women who 

experienced God’s favor.

PART 2:

Stories of bicultural identities

Chapter 6: Daniel and Ebed-Melek

First-generation immigrant who learned to 

live and work in a foreign culture.

Chapter 7: Esther and Mordecai

Bicultural, third-generation immigrant. 

God used her position to save the nation.

Chapter 8: Paul

God used Paul’s bicultural identity and skills 

in his cross-cultural ministry.

PART 3:

Mixed ethnicities & third-culture identities

Chapter 9: 

Timothy and Lydia

Paul’s co-workers. Timothy’s mixed ethnicity 

(Greek father, Jewish mother) was key in his ministry.

Chapter 10: Ephraim and Manasseh

Hebrew/Egyptian sons of Joseph, adopted as 

full-fledged tribes of Israel.

Chapter 11: Moses

God used Moses’ hybrid identity 

(Hebrew/Egyptian/Midianite) to lead his people.

Chapter 12: Zipporah and Jethro

Moses’ Midianite wife showed skill in navigating 

cross-cultural/religious issues.

PART 4:

Stories of cultural perspectives

Chapter 13: Jonah & Naaman’s servant girl

Ethnocentric, nationalistic Israelite who God challenges to 

develop a heart like his. The Jewish servant girl in 2 Kings 5 

advocates for her foreign master’s healing.

Chapter 14: Ezra & Nehemiah

Bicultural, third-generation immigrants returning 

to their ancestral homeland.

Chapter 15: Stephen

Hellenistic Jew whose sermon highlights 

God's presence outside the Holy land. 

Chapter 16: Philip & Peter

Philip’s pioneering gentile ministry; 

Peter’s divine vision for non-Jewish converts.

Chapter 17: Luke

His cultural perspective informed his writings 

emphasizing gentile inclusion.

Conclusion

Chapter 18: Magi

Review of curriculum themes, ending with 

multicultural worship (Rev 7:9).

Appendices

Appendix A: Human identity according to Scripture

Human identity according to Scripture.

Appendix B: The Bible storyline overview

Summary overview of the stories presented in the 

curriculum in chronological order.

Appendix C: How to have conversations about difficult topics

A guide for parents, teachers, and youth leaders about best 

practices on how to talk about ethnic and racial issues with young people.

Glossary

Glossary of key terms

Definition of key terms about ethnic-racial identity development.

Questions? Comments?