The Religion In Life® curriculum introduces students to key beliefs, values and literature of the Christian faith so as to provide a growing understanding of a major influence on our contemporary society, as well as a possible source of ethical standards in a fast-changing and often confusing world.  Such studies will commend the Christian faith.  They also provide a foundation from which to examine other major religious traditions increasingly represented in our multi-cultural society.

The first set of activities is aimed at enabling students to explore their lives for meaning and purpose at the deepest level possible for them.  This exploration aims to stimulate their sensitivity to ultimate concerns by helping them to :
* wonder about life, about people and the world around them;
* consider the questions of meaning, purpose and value that arise from this activity

The second set of activities is aimed at giving students some understanding of and engagement with the religious life and ideas of their community, especially of the Christian faith.  Biblical stories and events, key concepts and beliefs, and characteristic attitudes and practices of the Christian faith are presented.  These activities aim to:
* inform students of religious life and practice through a knowledge of the origins, literature and life of the Christian faith 
   a religious traditions which comprises a significant part of their social and cultural heritage;
* give them some first-hand knowledge of public religious activity;
* help them to be rational and discriminating about religious knowledge.

In the Religion In Life® curriculum these two sets of activities can be seen to inform, reinforce and illuminate each other.  Each Religion In Life® session focuses on:
* a human issue of big life-question;
* beliefs or teaching from the Christian faith relating to this issue;
* opportunity for the student to reflect on their experience of life and to consider a belief or attitude or value.

The student’s experience
The place given in Religion In Life® to the student’s experience of life is understood theologically in that Christians recognise that God comes to people through the events and circumstances of their daily lives.  God is revealed in all manner of ways; through the beauty and terror of nature, through the mystery of personal relationships, through the provision of human needs, as well as through the broken bread, the open Bible, the praying fellowship, and faith in action.

For Christians the Incarnation of God in Jesus is the supreme and central disclosure of the character and purpose of God; and God also wills to be revealed in the life and circumstances of each person.

However, it should be recognised that not all who met a first-century Jew named Jesus discerned in him the power and authority of God, thought some did.  Not all hear in the words of the Bible the word of God, though some do; and not all perceive the presence of God at work in today’s world, though some do.  No religious education program, therefore, can guarantee the uncovering of God.  It can only point to the arena of God’s activity.

The Bible
The Bible forms the major source for Christian religious education.  To Christians the Bible reflects God’s nature and intention towards humanity, and the human experience of people who encountered God.  All Religion In Life® sessions are rooted in biblical teaching, with reference to the Bible being explicit in every session.  The translations generally referred to are the Good News Bible or The Bible for Today (Contemporary English Version).
Religion In Life® programs enable students to handle a Bible and to understand something of its development, structure and message.  There is a wealth of opportunity for the students to see that, for Christians, the biblical stories and events are uniquely rich in truth and meaning, while at the same time allowing them to make discoveries about what is relevant to them.

In addition, a Religion In Life® religious education program will contribute to the development of the personal capacities and social skills of the students, including contribution to the development of:
* a positive attitude to themselves as growing persons;
* the ability to adjust to change;
* the ability to express and discuss their thoughts and ideas;
* respect for those who choose to hold beliefs different to their own;
* the ability to make meaningful and satisfying relationships with others;
* the ability to cooperate and to work with others;
* the ability to make responsible choices;
* their appreciation of the natural world;
* responsible stewardship of the environment;
* their awareness of the spiritual and the sacred;
* their potential for creativity.

Ultimately, it is anticipated that as Religion In Life® engages students both cognitively and affectively, they will move towards the development of a coherent and sustaining set of personal values and beliefs.