Embrace the Rite of Passage Journey: The Premier Pathway to Christian Adulthood
Because if you don’t lead these conversations, culture will.
The CROP Community
You can join the CROP Community for free, giving your family a chance to connect with others who are walking through the same life stage. But the heart of our ministry is found in the CROP Circles—our structured training curriculum designed to equip parents, grandparents, and mentors to guide preteens and teens into young adulthood with confidence and faith.
The Curriculum
The CROP Circle curriculum is built around five Units, each containing eight lessons (40 lessons total). Each lesson is designed for about two hours of teaching and discussion. We encourage families to start small by completing Unit One, then continue through the sequence, as each Unit builds upon the last.
The lessons can be used one-on-one with your son or daughter, or in a small group we call a CROP Circle (3–6 youth with an adult mentor). Circles are gender-specific—boys with boys, girls with girls—so that wisdom and guidance are shared in the most natural way. Teens often listen best when they not only hear from their parents but also from other trusted adults who share life lessons from a biblical perspective.
Upon signing up, you’ll receive Unit 1 of our curriculum: one Student Workbook and one Parent/Mentor Workbook. At the start of month 3, you’ll receive Unit 2, again with both student and parent materials. Every two months of membership releases the next unit of curriculum, until you’ve received the full series of workbooks.
Teaching Videos: Engaging video content for students, tailored to each unit and lesson. Training Videos: Step-by-step guidance for parents and facilitators on how to lead each unit confidently. Full Lesson Recordings: Watch each complete unit being taught—perfect for preparation or inspiration. Resource Library: Curated content and trusted third-party resources on topics like identity, purpose, peer pressure, biblical manhood/womanhood, sexuality, media, and more.
Monthly Coaching Calls: Live sessions with our team, open to all parents and facilitators. Ask questions, share experiences, and receive ongoing encouragement. Connection with a growing community of like-minded Christian parents and mentors walking the same journey.
Two Ways to Access the Curriculum
1. Purchase by Unit ($149 each):
- Buy any Unit at any time.
- Receive one Student workbook and one Instructor workbook (additional workbooks $50 each).
- Video lessons and guides for that Unit are unlocked immediately.
- We strongly recommend beginning with Unit One and moving forward in sequence.
2. Monthly Membership ($47/month):
- Receive Unit One workbooks upon enrollment.
- A new set of Unit workbooks ships every two months.
- Continue receiving workbooks and video access until all five Units are completed.
- Membership runs on autopay, and you can remain for as long as it serves your family.
- Cancel anytime—free resources remain available, while premium content returns behind the paywall.
Membership and Giving
We believe there is no more impactful—or affordable—way to guide your child through this critical transition in life. With CROP, you can have the open and honest conversations your son or daughter desperately needs, equipped with biblical truth instead of cultural lies. Our mission is to walk with you as you raise faithful, resilient young men and women, ready to step confidently into Christian adulthood.
CROP Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Federal Tax ID #33-0141608, under Priority Living Inc.). While curriculum purchases and memberships are not tax-deductible (since materials are provided), donations toward scholarships for families in need are tax-deductible. You’ll have the option to give one-time, quarterly, or monthly when you enroll.
Why CROP Matters to You
The hard part—writing the lessons and framing the difficult conversations—has already been done for you. All you need to do is walk through the material with your child. These Units provoke honest, biblical conversations on the subjects most parents struggle to address: substance abuse, bullying, sexuality, personal responsibility, and wise decision-making, to name a few.
If you don’t lead these conversations, culture will—and its message runs directly against Christ. CROP gives you the tools, talking points, and data you need, along with the freedom to add your own life experiences to make each topic personal and real.
Overview: CROP guides you in mentoring your child through their first steps into adulthood, helping them take ownership of their faith, their words, and their choices.
Unit Topics
CROP Program Overview
(alternative suggestion for the overview above)
The CROP (Christian Rite Of Passage) program is a five-unit program that guides students through foundational truths, personal growth, cultural challenges, and spiritual readiness. Below is an overview of each unit and the weekly topics:
UNIT 1: The Root
- Week 1 – Introduction & Interview: Launching the journey with purpose and commitment.
- Week 2 – What is the Bible?: Understanding the authority and purpose of God’s Word.
- Week 3 – Parents & Children: Exploring biblical family roles and responsibilities.
- Week 4 – How to Know the Bible: Learning how to study and apply Scripture.
- Week 5 – Our Words: Speaking truth and encouragement while avoiding harmful language.
- Week 6 – Who is Jesus Christ?: Investigating the identity and impact of Jesus.
- Week 7 – Our Actions: Choosing integrity over stealing, envy, or coveting.
- Week 8 – Assurance of Salvation: Understanding Christ’s work and your eternal security.
UNIT 2: The Trunk
- Week 1 – Bullying & Language: The power of speech and respect in how we treat others.
- Week 2 – Fairness & Courage: Dealing with injustice and standing up for what’s right.
- Week 3 – Stewardship: Managing time, talents, and resources for God’s glory.
- Week 4 – The Holy Spirit: Meeting the Helper who empowers Christian living.
- Week 5 – Substance Use: Honoring God with your body and avoiding addiction.
- Week 6 – Attributes of God: Knowing God’s character strengthens our trust.
- Week 7 – Right Relationships: Choosing godly friends and mentors wisely.
- Week 8 – Answered Prayer: Learning how to talk to God and see His response.
UNIT 3: The Branch
- Week 1 – Forgiveness: Releasing others and yourself from past wrongs.
- Week 2 – Money: Biblical principles on earning, saving, giving, and spending.
- Week 3 – Fellowship & Gifts: Discovering and using spiritual gifts in community.
- Week 4 – Goals & Competition: Pursuing excellence with humility and grace.
- Week 5 – Personal Testimony: Writing and sharing your story of faith.
- Week 6 – How to Witness: Confidently sharing the Gospel with love and respect.
- Week 7 – Body Image & Pressure: Seeing yourself through God’s eyes, not the world’s.
- Week 8 – Sex Part 1: Understanding God’s design for our bodies and sexuality.
UNIT 4: The Limb
- Week 1 – Sex Part 2 & Alternative Lifestyles: Biblical truth about marriage, sexuality, and deception.
- Week 2 – Obedience & Calling: Responding to God’s voice and following His will.
- Week 3 – Media & Internet: Filtering entertainment and online content wisely.
- Week 4 – Dating & Being Unequally Yoked: Navigating relationships with discernment.
- Week 5 – Online Dangers: Staying safe and honoring God in digital communication.
- Week 6 – Modesty & Manners: Living with grace, humility, and social awareness.
- Week 7 – Moral Relativism: Standing firm in biblical truth amid cultural confusion.
- Week 8 – Death & Eternity: Understanding heaven, hell, and the value of life.
UNIT 5: The Fruit
- Week 1 – Evolution vs. Creation Pt. 1: Evaluating Darwin’s theory against biblical truth.
- Week 2 – Big Bang, Aliens, UFOs: Discerning science fiction from spiritual deception.
- Week 3 – Problems with Evolution: Challenging common cultural assumptions.
- Week 4 – Biblical Creation: Affirming God’s role as Creator.
- Week 5 – Graduation Prep: Preparing the heart and ceremony for CROP completion.
- Week 6 – Occult & Spiritual Darkness: Recognizing and resisting false spiritual influences.
- Week 7 – Self Defense: Biblical principles of protecting oneself and others.
- Week 8 – Celebration Night: A joyful gathering to reflect on growth and look ahead.
Overview: A foundational unit that teaches biblical authority, personal responsibility, and Jesus' redemptive work — grounding teens in truth as they begin their Christian Rite of Passage.
Unit Summary
- Week 1 – Unit Introduction & Interview:
Memory Verse: Deut. 11:18-19 – Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Key Concept: The (pre)teen years are a critical first stage of transition into adulthood. It’s important to learn how to make good decisions in all that the world will throw at them, and taking personal responsibility for those decisions marks the path towards maturity. - Week 2 – What is the Bible?:
Memory Verse: 2 Tim. 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Key Concept: The Bible is the most important book you should read regularly for as long as you live. - Week 3 – The Role and Responsibilities of Parents and Children:
Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Key Concept: The primary role of parents is to teach their children about God, while the primary role of children is to honor and obey their parents. - Week 4 – How to Know the Bible:
Memory Verse: 2 Tim. 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Key Concept: The more you learn how to study the Bible and apply it to your life, the more success you will have in every area of your life. - Week 5 – Our Words: Lying, Gossip, Profanity, Encouragement:
Memory Verse: Psalm 34:12-13 – Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
Key Concept: People will make judgments about you based on what you say. Your words and actions are the only things you have complete control over. - Week 6 – Who is Jesus Christ?:
Memory Verse: John 1:1,14 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Key Concept: Really truly knowing who Jesus Christ is is one of the most important things about your faith in God. There is no other person in human history that left such a mark on humanity, and He is worthy of examination. - Week 7 – Our Actions: Stealing, Coveting, Envy:
Memory Verse: Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Key Concept: The secret to having a happy life is being content (satisfied) with whatever you have. Possessions alone will never satisfy anyone. - Week 8 – The Work of Jesus: Assurance of Salvation:
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
Key Concept: The promise of eternal salvation in heaven is confessing Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
Overview: Focused on forming strong moral character through speech, relationships, substance choices, and understanding God's nature.
Unit Summary
- Week 1 – Teasing/Bullying/Language:
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Key Concept: People will make judgments about you if you choose to use bad language and if you treat others poorly. This is a reputation you don’t want to have. - Week 2 – Fairness in Life, Standing Up for Self and Others:
Memory Verse: Matthew 7:12 – So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Key Concept: Life is not fair. That’s just the way it is. So if you want something, you have to be willing to go after it, while also helping out others. - Week 3 – Stewardship of Time, Talent, Treasure:
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
Key Concept: Nothing we have belongs to us – it all belongs to God. We must learn to manage everything He has entrusted to us. - Week 4 – The Holy Spirit:
Memory Verse: John 14:16 – And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.
Key Concept: To understand the Holy Spirit is to understand the very power of God. - Week 5 – Use of Substances: Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs:
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Key Concept: You must protect your body from all things that can be damaging. Nothing good ever comes from addictions. - Week 6 – The Attributes of God:
Memory Verse: Jeremiah 32:17 – Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.
Key Concept: Understanding the unique attributes of God enables us to realize that there is no one else like Him. - Week 7 – Choosing Right Relationships: Friends and Adults:
Memory Verse: Psalm 1:1-2 – Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do. They love the Lord’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night.
Key Concept: You are the product of your environment. Who you choose to hang out with is what you will become. Good relationships will make you better. - Week 8 – Answered Prayer:
Memory Verse: John 16:24 – Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
Key Concept: Prayer is probably the one thing that will influence your relationship with God more than anything else.
Overview: This unit explores internal development: forgiveness, financial literacy, spiritual gifts, personal testimony, and more — helping students grow in wisdom and walk with Christ.
Unit Summary
- Week 1 – Forgiveness: Self and Others:
Memory Verse: 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Key Concept: The ability to forgive someone who has wronged you, as well as to forgive yourself for mistakes that you make, is both difficult and a great sign of maturity. - Week 2 – Money: Earning, Saving, Investing, Spending:
Memory Verse: Psalm 24:1 – The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
Key Concept: Money makes the world go ’round. You must learn how to manage it. - Week 3 – Fellowship and Spiritual Gifts:
Memory Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25 – Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Key Concept: The Church is the people who believe in and follow Jesus. You have an important role in it by using the giftedness that God has given you. - Week 4 – Goal Setting, Competing, Winning, Defeat:
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 – Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.
Key Concept: You will compete for things as long as you live. Win with humility, accept defeat with grace. - Week 5 – Personal Testimony:
Memory Verse: John 4:28-29 – The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”
Key Concept: Your personal testimony of what God has done in your life is one of the most effective ways for you to tell others about Jesus. - Week 6 – How to Witness:
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Key Concept: Your duty as a Christian is to tell others about Jesus. There are many ways to do so, and you really have nothing to be afraid of. - Week 7 – Body Image, Self-Worth, Pressure to Conform:
Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 16:7b – The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Key Concept: God loves variety, that’s why He made you exactly the way you are! - Week 8 – Sex, Part 1: Human Anatomy and Reproduction:
Memory Verse: Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.
Key Concept: God knows about every part of your body, and He desires you understand the purpose of sexuality.
Overview: This unit tackles the tough, often avoided topics that can shape or shake a young person’s future, offering clear guidance to help them navigate life with confidence.
Unit Summary
- Week 1 – Sex, Part 2: God’s View of Sexuality and Alternative Lifestyles:
Memory Verse: Genesis 2:24-25 – For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Key Concept: God loves marriage between a man and woman. Satan hates it and will try to deceive you otherwise through sexual temptation outside of marriage. There’s probably nothing else in life that can derail your relationship with God quicker than taking the bait of Satan. - Week 2 – Obedience, Accountability & Calling in the Christian Walk:
Memory Verse: 1 John 2:3-4 – Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.
Key Concept: God has a special calling on your life, and it requires obedience. Learning obedience will benefit you in all areas of life. - Week 3 – Music, Entertainment, The Media, The Internet:
Memory Verse: Psalm 101:3a – I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.
Key Concept: The media sells sex & violence, and wants you to be unhappy. Learning to filter out what we see and listen to will benefit us. - Week 4 – Goal Setting, Competing, Winning, Defeat:
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Key Concept: Dating is a natural, fun process which can help you to eventually find your mate. However, there are many dangers you need to be aware of. - Week 5 – Dating and Dangers of Meeting Strangers Online:
Memory Verse: Philippians 2:4 – Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Key Concept: God loves people who are modest, considerate of others, and have a gentle spirit. He loves inward beauty and those who walk in His path. - Week 6 – Modesty, Manners & Etiquette:
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
Key Concept: There is absolute truth, and Jesus is the source of all truth. His truth enables us to understand the differences between right and wrong. - Week 7 – Moral Relativism:
Memory Verse: John 3:5-6 – Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.'”
Key Concept: Do not be afraid. Death on earth is not the end … it is just the beginning. Also, there is a difference between killing and murder. - Week 8 – Death: Suicide, Euthanasia, Killing, Murder, Abortion:
Memory Verse: John 8:57-59 – “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I Am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Key Concept: There are really only two religions on the earth: those who believe Jesus was who He said He was, and those who don’t.
Overview: This unit equips students to understand the biblical answers to cultural lies — creation vs evolution, spiritism, the occult, and even how to protect themselves physically and spiritually.
Unit Summary
- Week 1 – Origins of Man, Part 1 (Evolution & Charles Darwin’s Origins of Species):
Memory Verse: Romans 1:21-23 – Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
Key Concept: Who am I? Why am I here? How did I get here? These are the eternal questions man has been asking himself for centuries. The theory of evolution attempts to redirect attention from the God of creation and, in turn, has become its own religion. - Week 2 – Origins of Man, Part 2 (The Big Bang, Space Aliens & UFOs):
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Key Concept: Satan uses people and himself to masquerade themselves in order to deceive people and get them to take their eyes off of God. - Week 3 – Origins of Man, Part 3 (Problems with Evolution and Space Aliens):
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 4:1 – The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Key Concept: It takes much greater faith to believe in UFOs, aliens, and evolution than it does to believe in creation. - Week 4 – Origins of Man, Part 4 (Biblical Creation):
Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1,31 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Key Concept: The Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God, it assumes it. - Week 5 – Preparation for CROP Graduation and Celebration:
Memory Verse: (N/A)
Key Concept: This is a time where we preview what happens at the Graduation Ceremony: the presentation of the graduate, the blessing by the father (or mother). - Week 6 – Spiritism, New Age, Paranormal, the Occult, Witchcraft:
Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:12 – For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Key Concept: The devil (Satan) is very real and is trying to mess up all people, but you don’t have to be afraid of him – our God is greater! - Week 7 – Self Defense: Defending Against Physical Assault:
Memory Verse: Exodus 22:2-3 – If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.
Key Concept: Self-defense here is defined as “protecting oneself from injury at the hand of others.” - Week 8 – Special Movie and Fun Night:
Memory Verse: (N/A)
Key Concept: The final gathering of “The Tribe”, a time to reflect, have fun, and look forward to what is next.
Individual Unit Purchase
Buy one or multiple units-
1 Student + 1 Instructor (per Unit)
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Additional Workbooks $50 each
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Lesons and guides unlocked immediately for purchased Unit(s)
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Workbooks + access delivered at time of purchase
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Purchase any Unit, any time
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Lifetime access to purchased Units
Monthly CROP Membership
Enter your description-
1 Student + 1 Instructor (per Unit, every 2 months)
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Additional Workbooks $50 each
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Lessons and guides unlocked as new units ship
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Workbooks delivered at enrollment (Unit 1), then every 2 months
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Automatic shipment until all 5 Units are received
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Sequential delivery ensures lessons build upon each other
A video message from the founder of CROP
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions.
Want to know more about the program before you join? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
Your $47/month subscription gives you full access to all 5 CROP Units—each with 8 weeks of lessons, videos, discussion guides, and bonus resources to guide your family through a Christ-centered rite of passage.
CROP is ideal for kids ages 11 to 15. These are the critical preteen and early teen years when identity and worldview are being shaped. The content is designed to grow with your child through each stage.
Each weekly lesson takes about 2 hours and is designed to spark conversation, reflection, and growth between you and your teen.
Yes! You can cancel anytime—no pressure, no guilt. We understand that every family goes through different seasons, and sometimes CROP may not be the right fit or the right time. That said, we’d gently remind you that your window to be the primary voice in your child’s life is brief — and once it closes, it’s hard to reopen. Don’t miss the chance to shape their heart while you still can. If you’d like to talk more, we’re always here.
Free resources remain open to you, premium content (CROP Units) returns to paywall.
Not at all. While we encourage forming a CROP Circle for community and accountability, many families use the program on their own with great success. It’s flexible to fit your life.