Youth Curriculum, 4-26-26

Announcements:

Teens, be sure to sign up for CSL Summer Teen Camp by May 1st to take advantage of early bird pricing—just visit our website and click on Youth and then Teen Camp. Camp runs July 11–17, and with high attendance expected, our community is excited to support teens who need financial assistance by covering up to 75% of the cost.

April Theme: Foundations of Spirit: Discovering the Divine Within
Week 4 Value: What It Receives
Affirmation: I am open and receptive to all the good life has for me.

Curriculum Overview:

In Week 4, youth and teens explore the final step in understanding spiritual principles—receptivity. After discovering that Spirit is everywhere (Week 1), working through alignment (Week 2), and responding to our thoughts (Week 3), this week focuses on our ability to receive the good that is always available.

Through experiential activities and reflection, youth learn that sometimes the only thing standing between them and greater joy, love, or success is their willingness to receive it. They explore how openness, self-worth, and trust allow good to flow more fully into their lives.

Spiritual Lesson:

Good is always present and available, but we must be willing to receive it.

Youth explore the idea that limiting beliefs, self-doubt, or discomfort with receiving can block the flow of good. When they open their minds and hearts—trusting that they are worthy of love, joy, and success—they naturally allow more of it into their experience.

This lesson emphasizes that receiving is an active practice. By saying “yes” to good, appreciating what is already present, and believing in their own worthiness, youth learn to live more fully in abundance.

Spiritual Practice:

Youth participate in a simple but powerful activity where they first try to receive objects or gifts with closed fists, then with open hands. This creates a physical experience of how openness allows for receiving, while resistance limits it.

In pairs or small groups, youth then practice giving and receiving affirmations or kind words, noticing how it feels to both offer and accept something positive.

Active Listening: Book / Music / Video

Younger Children (Ages 4–7)

• Book: The Thank You Book by Mo Willems
  Teaches appreciation and receiving kindness from others.
• Music: “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves
  Encourages hope, openness, and trusting that good is present.
• Video: The Giving Tree (Animated Adaptation)
  Introduces giving and receiving in a gentle, accessible way.

Children & Preteens (Ages 7–12)

• Book: I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
  Builds self-worth and the ability to receive positive identity.
• Music: “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
  Highlights openness to joy and inner positivity.
• Video: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes (Animated Story)
  Encourages releasing fear and being open to growth and good experiences.

Teens (Ages 13–16)

• Reading: Selected excerpts from This Thing Called You
  Focus on the idea that life responds to our belief in what we are worthy to receive.
• Music: “Golden” by Harry Styles
  Reflects appreciation, growth, and recognizing the good in life.
• Video: You Are Enough
  Reinforces self-worth and openness to receiving good.
• Creative Expression: Gratitude & Receiving Tree

Each youth will receive a paper leaf cutout. On one side, they will draw or write something they are grateful for right now, grounding them in present awareness of the good already in their lives. On the other side, they will write or illustrate something they are open to receiving, such as friendship, confidence, peace, or success.

Once completed, youth will attach their leaves to a tabletop tree form, creating a collective “Gratitude & Receiving Tree.” This visual representation symbolizes both appreciation for what is and openness to what is unfolding, reinforcing the flow between gratitude and receptivity.

Connecting: Gratitude Circle

Youth complete the sentence: “I am open to receiving…”

Group Response: “And I welcome it into my life.”