Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

This fall, freshmen at high schools in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln will begin a new diocesan theology curriculum. The initiative comes after years of using materials originally developed in the 1990s and updated in 2002 and 2012.

Jeff Schinstock, director of evangelization and catechesis, said, “We have been so blessed by the curriculum originally put together by Archbishop (Michael) Jackels when he directed our Office of Religious Education in the 1990s. It has served us incredibly well. The truth is timeless, but new circumstances in schools and culture prompted us to seek relatable ways to preach the ancient gospel.”

A committee with representatives from each of the six diocesan high schools was tasked with identifying a mission for renewal and outlining a strategy for updating instruction. The committee’s work included workshops with veteran priest-theology teachers during summer 2024, followed by further content editing and educator training sessions focused on student engagement.

Schinstock noted Bishop James D. Conley’s clear vision: “Bishop Conley was very clear that he wanted us to form disciples of Jesus. Theology isn’t just another subject we introduce people to and then leave it to them to decide if they are interested. It is meant to engender a radical encounter with Jesus Christ that should shake our foundations and make us consider it in every situation.”

The curriculum development process drew guidance from Bishop Conley’s pastoral letter, “The Joy and Wonder of Catholic Education.” Schinstock said, “Throughout the process, the bishop was consistently listening and guiding our efforts.”

Bishop Conley stated his priorities for Catholic education: “The primary goal of Catholic education is to make saints,” he explained. “This involves the entire institution, including the classroom, the locker room, the stage – the whole enterprise is about knowing God, receiving his love and taking God’s design and plan into every part of our world.”

He added: “If we can realize that vision, our students will be more successful in family life and vocations. In their careers they will bear more fruit and be happier. To know God in a real way transforms everything. Real disciples become the missionaries that transform a culture.”

Emphasizing teacher support within an integrated Catholic vision for education, Bishop Conley said: “Our schools have been the driving point of evangelization in our diocese for decades. We have had heroic teachers who have given their very selves for the betterment of our young people. Our teachers are incredibly selfless. I constantly tell my brother bishops about the disciples leading our schools, we are richly blessed.” He continued: “The truth is, there are new realities in our culture and in our schools that call us to a moment of renewal,” he said. “Theology is a beginning point for us and we can use that renewal as a connecting point to everything else in the school. We cannot assign God to a single subject that is not a Catholic worldview. God’s fingerprints are all over creation, and an integrated Catholic education reveals Him, no matter what subject we are studying,” he stated.

Educator training workshops held at Pope St. John XXIII Diocesan Center emphasized approaches beyond content delivery—highlighting student engagement amid changing information landscapes where facts are readily accessible online.

Bishop Conley commented on this approach: “The task of educating isn’t just a transfer of information from teacher to student,” Bishop Conley said. “Our goal is transformation that begins in wonder. We need to inspire and sustain that wonder. We are walking with students as they unlock an understanding of reality. That reality begins with God, the cause of everything!”

New elements include starting each semester with prayer units focused on lectio divina—a method involving careful reading of scripture—followed by logic instruction before moving into Old Testament studies.

Father Matthew Kovar, freshman theology teacher at Pius X High School who participated in both curriculum workshops said it is “vital for students to not simply know about God, but to know Him.” He added: “I don’t want them to graduate with lots of facts and no idea how to live it,” he explained. “We need to prepare them to live a fully Catholic life when we aren’t with them every day. Prayer is how we respond to God’s action. He is always the source and we respond; we can help each other learn to hear him.”

Schinstock elaborated on prayer practices within scripture study: “We want people to hear the voice of God,” Schinstock said. “Praying with the word of God in the scriptures is a real encounter that forces us to wrestle with the reality of God’s plan for me, and his constant presence with me.”

On logic instruction within theology courses Schinstock stated: "In order to be successful in higher ideas sometimes we need to slow down and strengthen foundations...Logic rhetoric grammar were foundation...logic about truth...this unit going help students not just theology but every avenue seeking what true."

He concluded: "A student who begins with an encounter with person truth then taken through method seeking knowing truth good place enter fully God's incredible story."

Freshmen will study up through events leading up Christ's Incarnation using scriptural narrative.

Bishop Conley concluded,“I am so excited for our freshmen to experience real encounters with Adam and Eve Abraham Moses some first heroes God's story with us." He continued,“I am most excited see students realize they part story," he said.“It's their story it's our story.God needs heroes time too.We hope this new curriculum inspire new heroes faith."