What Is a Christian Curriculum and How Do You Choose One?

A Christian curriculum is a planned course of study that teaches academic subjects through a biblical worldview, rather than treating faith as a separate subject. It is used mainly in two settings: homeschools and Christian schools. Abeka, for example, describes its materials as designed to "inspire learning & teach biblical values," with textbooks, video lessons, and full-grade kits for both settings. Choose one by matching three things to your situation: how you want to teach (parent-led, video, or classroom), which grades and subjects you need covered, and how much structure you want built in for you.

What makes a curriculum "Christian"

The defining feature is integration, not addition. A secular curriculum plus a Bible class is not the same thing as a Christian curriculum. In a Christian curriculum, the biblical worldview shapes how the subject itself is presented.

That shows up in a few practical ways:

• Bible as a subject and as a lens. Bible appears in the subject list alongside math, language arts, history/geography, and science/health, but the same perspective is also meant to carry into those other subjects.
• A stated statement of belief. Publishers usually publish what they believe, so you can check whether their theology matches yours before you buy. Abeka lists "What We Believe" and "Subject Distinctives" among its resources.
• A defined scope and sequence. This is the document that shows what is taught in each grade and in what order. It is the fastest way to compare two Christian curricula on substance rather than marketing.

How it differs from a secular curriculum

The academic content can look similar — arithmetic is still arithmetic. The differences tend to appear in emphasis, sequence, and framing.

One mechanism worth understanding is spiral learning, which Abeka names as part of its approach. The idea is that concepts are introduced, then revisited and built on in later lessons and grades, rather than taught once and dropped. If your child needs frequent review to retain material, a spiral approach is a point in favor. If your child gets bored by repetition, it is a point to weigh carefully.

The main delivery formats

Most Christian curriculum publishers offer more than one format, and the format often matters more to daily life than the brand.

• Parent-led textbooks and kits. You teach from teacher materials and the child works in student materials. Highest parent involvement, most flexibility to slow down or speed up.
• Video lessons. A teacher delivers the lesson on screen; you supervise and grade. Abeka offers video lessons for homeschool and for schools, plus sample video lessons you can watch before deciding.
• Digital materials. Content delivered online rather than on paper.
• Full-grade kits vs. subject kits. A full-grade kit covers everything for one grade; a subject kit covers one subject across grades. Full-grade kits reduce decisions; subject kits let you mix publishers.
• Standardized testing. Some publishers also provide testing, which is useful if your state requires annual assessment.

Choosing for a homeschool vs. a Christian school

The same publisher may serve both, but the decision criteria differ.

For a homeschool:

• How much of the teaching do you want to do yourself? Video lessons shift the load; parent-led materials keep you in control of pacing.
• Do you want one complete package or the ability to swap subjects? Look at whether full-grade kits and single-subject options both exist.
• Can you see it before committing? Sample video lessons and downloadable scope and sequence documents let you evaluate without buying.
• What does your state require? Testing and record-keeping requirements vary, so check before choosing a format.

For a Christian school:

• Does the publisher support multi-teacher use, not just one family? Look for school-specific programs, teacher materials, and professional development.
• Is there a plan of study for high school, including dual enrollment? Abeka lists a high school plan of study and dual enrollment among its school resources.
• Can you standardize across grades? A scope and sequence covering all grades makes vertical alignment possible.
• Is there onboarding support? Look for getting-started resources and a named representative for your region.

A practical evaluation checklist

Before you commit to any Christian curriculum, work through these in order:

1. Read the statement of belief. If it does not match your convictions, stop here.
2. Download the scope and sequence. Check that the grades and subjects you need are covered and that the sequence fits your child's level.
3. Watch or read a sample lesson. Judge the tone, the pace, and how much teacher preparation it assumes.
4. Confirm the format fits your week. Parent-led, video, and digital each demand different amounts of your time.
5. Check grade coverage end to end. If you plan to continue long term, verify the publisher goes as far as you need — Abeka covers 18–24 months through 12th grade.
6. Look for placement or testing tools. These help you avoid starting a child in the wrong level.
7. Ask about pricing and access directly. Pricing, payment options, and login requirements are not something to assume — confirm them with the publisher or your school representative.

Common sticking points

• Buying a full-grade kit before checking placement. A kit is only efficient if the level is right. Use sample lessons or testing first.
• Assuming a Christian publisher matches your theology. "Christian" covers a wide range. The statement of belief is the only reliable check.
• Underestimating parent time with parent-led materials. Video lessons exist precisely because parent-led teaching is demanding.
• Mixing publishers without checking sequence. If you swap one subject to a different publisher, compare scope and sequence so you do not create gaps or repeats.
• Ignoring site availability. Publishers occasionally take their sites down for maintenance or upgrades, so plan orders and downloads around any announced outages rather than the day you need them.

If you are still deciding, the lowest-risk next step is to review the scope and sequence and a sample lesson for the grade you need, then confirm format, pricing, and access with the publisher before ordering.