• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • ARTICLES
    • ARTICLES BY TOPIC
    • MOST RECENT ARTICLES
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • Episcopal Teacher
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Signs of Life
    • Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    • 5 Marks of Love
    • Growing a Rule of Life
    • It’s Time To…
    • #AdventWord
  • SUPPORT US
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Youth Ministry/A Youth Curriculum That Works: Youth Emmaus

A Youth Curriculum That Works: Youth Emmaus

“That was fun!”

“That was a great lesson!”

I had always hoped to hear comments like these from the youth of the church where I serve. But I only began to hear them when I implemented a curriculum that is barely known in the United States. I can’t remember where I found it anymore, but it’s too good to keep to myself.

As the Associate Priest at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I co-lead the high school youth group, which meets on Wednesday evening. By design, our group draws students from multiple Episcopal churches. It’s my second year in this role, and I am definitely learning as I go.

Last year I went on a hunt for an excellent curriculum. I had read Kenda Creasy Dean’s inspiring book Almost Christian, and I realized that I needed a curriculum to help my students develop an authentic faith. I also wanted a resource which could:

  • Help students think theologically
  • Develop Biblical literacy
  • Offer thematic lessons that could both stand alone and build on one another
  • Engage students in enjoyable and meaningful activities
  • Promote critical thinking
  • Clearly teach the Christian faith

I had to “cross the pond” to find my curriculum. And somewhere along the way, I stumbled across Youth Emmaus. The Emmaus curriculum series is published by the Church of England through Church House Publishing. It was originally designed as an adult series to teach the Christian faith to non-Christians in a post-Christian culture. Youth Emmaus is student version of this program. Many of us have realized that it is just as effective with “raised-in-a-church students” as it is with those who are new to the Christian faith. The stated age range is 11 to 16 years old. When I experimented with the program in a combined middle/high format, it did not work as well. But the high schoolers absolutely loved it. I loved it too.

Youth Emmaus begins at the beginning, with God-questions. The first lesson, for example, is entitled “Knowing God – is anyone out there?” Talk about a perfect question for a post-Christian culture. The ensuing lessons develop a Trinitarian understanding of God, with explorations of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then, after theological basics are covered, one moves to the ways Christians grow: through prayer, Holy Communion, reading the Bible, and more.

I found that one lesson (there are 14 in all) spread easily over two 45-minute sessions, giving time for review and reflection. I especially appreciate that each lesson begins with enjoyable group interaction, and the teens like this too. Who wouldn’t want to play charades as a lead-in to a lesson on prayer? Or how about interviewing another group member to discover how we are each uniquely created by God? Or a memory game as a lead-in to a lesson on the Holy Spirit? These starter activities are consistently fun and effective, opening the students’ minds to the meaty material that follows.

With occasional special events, my Youth Emmaus 1 curriculum will last our church two years.  After that, we are already looking forward to Youth Emmaus 2. Together, these resources will give me a complete high school program.

As you can tell, I am pretty happy about all this! I’m happy because I see students honestly engaging serious questions of the Christian faith. Students are happy because the program is designed to make them laugh, think, and form an authentic connection with God. I am grateful to have discovered Youth Emmaus, and hope these reflections encourage others to consider it also.

Print PDF

March 26, 2014 By Nurya Love Parish

Filed Under: Youth Ministry Tagged With: Christian, Christianity, church, Emmaus, Episcopal Church, formation, high school, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nurya Parish, religion, Scripture, youth, Youth Emmaus, youth group

About Nurya Love Parish

The Rev. Nurya Love Parish is an Episcopal priest and ministry developer. She currently serves as founding Executive Director of Plainsong Farm, a new mission agency of the Episcopal Church, and rector of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, both in Michigan. She is the author of Resurrection Matters: Church Renewal for Creation's Sake. She has reached the late teenage stage of parenting with her firefighter husband.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search Our Site

Search by Topic

New Articles

New and Recent Lent Resources for 2023

If you’re busy organizing children’s, youth, adult, or parish-wide programs for Lent and Holy Week, …

Continue Reading about New and Recent Lent Resources for 2023

Black History Month Resources for 2023

February is Black History Month in the U.S., and the theme for 2023 is “Black Resistance.” According …

Continue Reading about Black History Month Resources for 2023

Resources to Learn, Pray, and Act This Martin Luther King Day

Every third Monday in January, around his birthday (January 15), we commemorate the life and work of …

Continue Reading about Resources to Learn, Pray, and Act This Martin Luther King Day

Footer

Keep In touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Upcoming Webinars

Eventbrite Registration

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2023 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get Articles and Resources by Email

Privacy Policy