At Crossroads, we are always striving to improve the student experience, and after six years of thoughtful updates, we’re excited to announce major changes to our curriculum. These changes aim to address gaps in the old course sequence, enhance the mentoring experience, and better prepare students for life after incarceration. Here’s an overview of what’s new and why it matters.
Why the Changes?
Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to refine our curriculum to better meet the needs of our students and the mentors who support them. The key reasons for these updates include:
Over the past six years, Crossroads has been updating its curriculum to fill gaps in the old course sequence and improve the overall student experience. The main reasons for these updates are:
- Allowing students to start one-on-one mentoring earlier.
- Giving students reflective questions that help mentors better understand their journey and struggles.
- Adding important topics like reentry, biblical thinking and wisdom, serving God in prison, and making the most of the mentor experience.
- Updating outdated courses to better fit the needs of students in jail or prison and to match their reading levels.
Curriculum Overview
When Does It Start?
The new course sequence for Crossroads’ English program will officially launch on July 1, 2025, for students in the United States. A full timeline for Spanish-language courses in the U.S. and updates to the international curriculum will be announced at a later date. The Spanish and international offerings and sequence will vary slightly from the U.S. English program.
Core Program (Tier 1)
The Core Program introduces students to the fundamental truths of the Christian faith. It’s designed to help them build a strong foundation.
- Who Are You? (3 lessons) – Explores life’s big questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?
- Who Is Jesus? (4 lessons) – Introduces the life, teachings, and significance of Jesus.
- What Is the Bible? (4 lessons) – Provides an introduction to reading and understanding the Bible.
- Truths of the Faith (8 lessons) – Covers key beliefs and doctrines of the Christian faith. (Updated from Great Truths of the Bible)
Options After Completion:
- Receive a certificate and choose not to continue.
- If the student has 18 months or less until release, they can take the reentry course Returning Home.
- Continue with the Growth Program (Tier 2) and one-on-one mentoring by completing What Is a Mentor? (3 lessons).
About Crossroads’ Reentry Course, Returning Home – Preparing for returning home from prison is the key to staying out for life. Crossroads is committed to helping people during this critical life transition. For students who complete the Core Program, and are within 18 months of going home, the course Returning Home provides a roadmap for release planning. Placing God first in their reentry planning gives the Crossroads student strategies for continued spiritual growth and personal success after release from incarceration.
Growth Program (Tier 2)
The Growth Program dives deeper into spiritual growth and biblical understanding. It encourages students to reflect on their faith and apply it to their lives.
- A Renewed Mind (4 lessons) – Helps students addresses sin and harmful thinking patterns.
- Sermon on the Mount (5 lessons) – Focuses on Jesus’ teachings from Matthew 5-7.
- God’s Great Story (8 lessons) – Provides an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. (Updated from Survey of the Bible)
- The Church Inside the Fence (4 lessons) – Explores how to serve God while in prison.
Options After Completion:
- Receive a certificate and choose not to continue.
- Stay connected with a mentor through pen-pal correspondence.
- Enter the Advanced Program (Tier 3).
Advanced Program (Tier 3)
This Advanced Program is an optional set of seminary-level courses designed for students who are ready for deeper study and leadership development. It equips them with tools for biblical interpretation and theology.
- Biblical Interpretation (12 lessons) – Teaches how to study and understand the Bible.
- Biblical Truths in Depth (10 lessons) – Gives an overview of systematic theology.
Jail Program
Recognizing that the average stay in jail is around 21 days, Crossroads has created a specific program for students enrolling from jails. Those who sign up for the program at a jail will start with The Three Big Questions, a single-lesson course based on Who Are You? This course is designed to be completed before the student is transferred or released. Students who stay in jail for at least three months will then continue with the full Core Program.
Why This Matters
These curriculum updates are more than just a change in structure; they are designed to help students engage with their studies earlier, reflect more deeply on their faith, and better prepare for life after incarceration. By addressing key areas of spiritual growth and practical reentry topics, students will be better equipped for the challenges they face upon release, and mentors will have tools to support and encourage them.
We are excited for this new chapter in our curriculum and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our students and mentors. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the July 2025 launch!