Youth Curriculum, 11-2-25
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November Youth Curriculum
Monthly Theme: Rooted in Love — Seeing the Sacred in All Life
Week 1 Value: Decoding Unlikeability
Affirmation: “I choose love, even when I encounter something I don’t like.”
Curriculum Overview
This week, youth explore the meaning of “unlikeability” — the instinct to judge, avoid, or reject what doesn’t fit our personal preferences. Through story, mindfulness, creative expression, and reflection, they’ll learn to look beyond surface judgments and discover the sacredness that lives in all things.
Drawing from Manisha Melwani’s reflections on likes and dislikes and Ernest Holmes’ teaching that “there is no hierarchy of life,” youth will practice seeing through the lens of Oneness — where every being, no matter how different or difficult, expresses the Divine. Together, they’ll engage in a “Likes & Dislikes Sorting Game” and create Hearts of Oneness affirmations to honor the truth that all life is worthy of love.
Spiritual Lesson
Likes and dislikes are part of being human — but when we let them define our world, we lose sight of the unity that connects all life. The Science of Mind reminds us that God expresses as all things, all beings, and all experiences. There is nothing outside of the One Life.
When we judge or reject something as “unlikeable,” we separate ourselves from that truth. By recognizing that every person and creature is an individualized expression of Spirit, we dissolve judgment and awaken to love’s deeper intelligence. To live from this awareness is to embody the Science of Mind principles of Oneness, Wholeness, and Love in action.
Focus Statement: “Love sees beyond preference.”
Affirmation Repeat: “I choose love, even when I encounter something I don’t like.”
Mindfulness Practice: “Love Beyond Preference”
Youth are invited to sit quietly and place their hands over their hearts.
As they breathe slowly, they imagine a warm light glowing within them — a light that shines for everyone and everything, even for people, foods, or situations they may not like.
With each breath, that heart light grows brighter, surrounding them in love. They silently repeat:
“Love is bigger than what I like or don’t like. Love is everywhere.”
In stillness, they notice how peace expands when judgment softens.
Active Listening: Book / Music
Younger Youth
- Book: Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
- Music: “Love Is My Superpower” by Lori Lite
Older Youth
- Reading: Excerpt from Detaching from Likes and Dislikes for Your Spiritual Growth by Manisha Melwani
- Music: “Love Train” by The O’Jays or “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” by Al Green & Annie Lennox
Creative Expression: Hearts of Oneness
Youth will reflect on things or people they find “unlikeable” and practice seeing the divine essence beneath those judgments.
Each child will decorate a paper heart with two sides:
- Side 1: Something or someone they find hard to like.
- Side 2: A message, quality, or truth about the divine goodness within that person or thing.
When complete, the hearts will be displayed together as a Hearts of Oneness collage — a colorful reminder that Spirit’s love includes everything.
Lessons in Action: Love Beyond Likes
Younger Youth
Play a “Likes & Dislikes Sorting Game” using cards with pictures of foods, animals, weather, or activities. After sorting, children discuss:
- “Can Spirit love what’s in both buckets?”
- “What might be good about something you don’t like?”
Conclude by writing or drawing a loving message on their heart to show that love can include everything — even the “yucky” stuff!
Older Youth
Hold a “Likes & Dislikes Challenge”: Youth move to one side of the room if they like something, and the other if they don’t (e.g., rain, spiders, homework, silence). Then switch sides and name something good or valuable about what they dislike.
Reflect together:
“If God expresses through everything, what might that mean for how we treat others or the world around us?”
Students will then complete their Hearts of Oneness affirmations, adding them to the group collage.
Connecting: Circle of Love
Gather in a circle around the completed collage or display.
Invite each youth to hold their heart and share one thing they learned about love today.
Close with a moment of silence and the affirmation spoken together:
“I choose love, even when I encounter something I don’t like.”