The resources described and linked to below have been compiled by Jen Yoon of St. David’s, Peter’s Township, who coordinates the diocese’s Children’s Ministry Team. Click on a link in the content list below to advance to the section that interests you, or scroll down to view the entire collection of resources. If you have questions about these resources, or if you would like to suggest that a resource be added to this page, please send an email to Jen at pghchildmin@gmail.com.
- Montessori Style Formation (e.g., Godly Play)
- Lectionary-Based Children’s Ministry Curricula
- Non-Lectionary-Based Children’s Ministry Curricula
- Children’s Bibles
- Confirmation Curricula
- Books, Guides, and Other Resources
Montessori-Style Formation
Storytelling using child-friendly language and materials, “wondering questions,” and play are the formation tools of Montessori-style children’s ministry. The innate spirituality of the child is honored by telling the stories of God the way they were told for centuries, and allowing the child to ponder and apply meaning to the stories based on their own stage of learning and development.
Developed by Jerome Barryman, eight volumes of Godly Play provide the framework for starting a Godly Play program, understanding the philosophy, arranging the space, and telling the stories. Volume 1 provides the foundation, and volumes 2-4 include the core stories that will cover the liturgical year. Volumes 5-8 are expansion stories covering some Old Testament stories, stories of various saints, and more.
Very similar to Godly Play, Young Children and Worship was developed in by Dr. Sonja Stewart with Jerome Berryman. Dr. Stewart focused on simple scripts for younger children and chose more stories from Jesus’ ministry and the Acts of his disciples. Her two volumes, Young Children and Worship and Following Jesus, include guides for storytelling, creating the space, story scripts, and templates for creating materials. The website has beautiful story pieces at reasonable prices.
Lectionary-Based Children’s Ministry Curricula
Using the traditional classroom model, the lesson plan will typically include a lesson introduction, Bible story, discussion, and reflection activities. These organizations offer curricula based on the weekly readings from the lectionary.
Lectionary-based lesson plans for young children, older children/youth, and adults written by Episcopalians for Episcopalians – and completely free! Choose between the Old Testament or Gospel reading for the week, select the age group, and follow the lesson plan which includes an opening prayer, reading, activity, wrap-up, and closing prayer.
Offers a wide variety of programs for early childhood, children, youth, and adults. Printed leader guides and learner materials may be purchased à la carte, bundled, or accessed through a digital membership. Formats include Lectionary-Based; Classroom, which covers one hundred Bible stories over a two-year rotation; and Story Rotations, which explore a Bible story or concept over the course of several weeks though various learning modalities.
Collections of Bible Stories and themes in beautifully illustrated “Zines” (short for magazines) offer a short-play format story, followed by illustrated reflections and activities for four to six weeks of low-prep to no-prep formation. It is available for two age groups: children and teens. This unique format may be used in groups large or small, for home faith formation, digital groups, or simply for children to work with independently during worship services. Zines, Leader Guides, Plays, and Memory Cards are available as collections or à la carte. Choose your story or follow the lectionary.
Non-Lectionary-Based Children’s Ministry Curricula
Using the traditional classroom model, the lesson plan will typically include a lesson introduction, Bible story, discussion, and reflection activities. Bible stories do not follow the readings in the lectionary.
Offers a variety of hard copies and downloads for weekly lessons, special events, summer programming, and Vacation Bible School. Choose from four- to six-week themed lessons, or purchase the annual bundle, a 52-week curriculum (download only) for $97. The site also offers worship music video downloads with choreography and hand motions, perfect for VBS or special events.
Bundled curricula for preschoolers, school-age children, preteens, teens and adults, which includes leader guides, learner materials, videos, music, and more. An all-digital format is also available. Group releases several bundled VBS themes annually. Group also has a variety of guides for leading games, crafts, science experiments, devotionals, and more.
All in One Sunday School: When You Have Kids of All Ages in One Classroom
Published by Group, each book contains Bible-based programs full of creative ideas for classes with kids ages 4 to 12. Just gather a few common, inexpensive items, photocopy the handouts, and you’re ready to teach creative Bible lessons that kids will love.
Children’s Bibles
Adventure Bible for Early Readers
The bestselling NIrV Adventure Bible® for Early Readers gets kids 6-10 excited about God’s Word. The captivating, full-color features make reading and memorizing Scripture engaging and fun.
Perfect for toddlers and preschool-aged children, The Beginner’s Bible includes more than 90 Bible stories and has been a favorite with young children and their parents for nearly 30 years.
Suitable for any kid up to sixth grade, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible, pointing to Jesus as our Savior.
The most comprehensive and Scripture-based children’s storybook Bible available, the Spark Story Bible includes one hundred easy-to-read stories with more than sixty stories from the New Testament. The Spark Story Bible provides a true Gospel-centric resource for kids and families to enjoy. This engaging resource touches on Old Testament stories but focuses on the life and times of Jesus, Paul, and the early church.
Confirmation Curricula
Chosen Together: Cross+Gen Curriculum
Chosen Together is more than a standard confirmation curriculum; it is a personalized approach to transform your confirmation program into an inclusive, flexible, and relationship-building experience that will engage confirmands, families, and your entire congregation in the conversation.
This confirmation program, developed with the help of Episcopal educators, clergy and theologians across the country, encourages youth and adults to enter into a uniquely Episcopal—yet profoundly Christian—faith journey. The easily-adapted format works for a traditional six- to twelve-week program, at a contemporary Confirmation retreat or conference, or as a sacramental supplement to other two- to three-year programs. I Will, with God’s Help, built entirely on the Baptismal Covenant from The Book of Common Prayer, offers seekers a solid reflection on Episcopal heritage and belief, together with the riches of Episcopal liturgy and prayer. Leader’s Guide, Mentor’s Guide, and Youth Journal are available.
For teen study and confirmation preparation, this book can serve as a curriculum for helping teens discover Scripture, church history, sacraments, the meaning and practice of prayer, and what ministry means in the lives of real teens today. A framework for small-group gatherings for each chapter is included as a new section in the back of the book. Includes study guide questions. A great book for youth, youth leaders, Christian educators, confirmation classes.
Books, Guides, and other Resources
Building Faith Brick by Brick offers a culturally relevant, hands-on way to explore faith stories with a broad range of ages. It grew out of one congregation’s realization that there was a large group of first-grade boys who needed to engage in a new way of interacting with the biblical story. Knowing how much Lego® bricks continue to be popular with children, the author dug deep into the well of creativity and an enormous bin of little plastic building bricks to meld together a new way of teaching the stories of God.
Common Prayer for Children and Families
Common Prayer for Children and Families is a collection of prayers and liturgies written for kids and the adults or communities who pray with them. Whimsically illustrated with pen and ink, this book contains prayers for morning, midday, and evening; prayers throughout the Church year; and prayers for all sorts of occasions.
God’s Word, My Voice: A Lectionary for Children
This collection of Revised Common Lectionary readings (Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament, and Gospel) are paraphrased for children to be read aloud in Sunday morning worship and will help kids easily read and understand what the word God has for their lives. This collection of lectionary paraphrases is written in a child’s speaking voice, not as an adult telling a story to the children. The psalms include a refrain for the entire congregation that closely parallels the Book of Common Prayer’s version.
Love First: A Children’s Ministry for the Whole Church
A guide and framework for creating a children’s ministry that connects children, families, and congregations through meaningful learning, formation, outreach, and sharing of gifts and talents.
Shaping a Faithful Life: Discernment and Discipleship for Young Adults
This book offers gathering prayers, scripture readings, prayer practices, and discussion/reflection questions, together with additional resources that leaders can use to custom-design each session if working with a particular group. Readers will learn to listen for God’s leading in the choices that they face around relationships, time, and money, and the kinds of work that awaken purpose and passion in their daily life, both in the present and for the future.
Shaping a Faithful Life: Discernment and Discipleship for Young Adults
This book offers gathering prayers, scripture readings, prayer practices, and discussion/reflection questions, together with additional resources that leaders can use to custom-design each session if working with a particular group. Readers will learn to listen for God’s leading in the choices that they face around relationships, time, and money, and the kinds of work that awaken purpose and passion in their daily life, both in the present and for the future.