Looking for the “best” curriculum for your youth ministry? There are many options from a variety of publishers and denominations. The right choice depends entirely on your context and goals.

Below you’ll find a list of Building Faith’s favorite curriculum options based on theology, availability, and pedagogy. The articles in our Curriculum Center can help you identify your needs, capabilities, and hopes. Looking for more support? Reach out to us by email.

How To Use This List

For each curriculum “top pick” we list the name, publisher, publication date, age group, curriculum contents, and a brief summary. We have done our best to include helpful information such as:

• how the curriculum works
• number of lessons included
• digital media options
• materials available in Spanish
• additional accompanying resources
• availability of corresponding curricula for other age groups (children, adults, intergenerational)

We have organized the options alphabetically by name under three types of curriculum (based on this “5 Types of Sunday School Curriculum“ article), noting where some curricula fit more than one type:

• lectionary-based
• story-based
• thematic

Additionally, we have focused this list primarily on Christian formation curriculum for churches to use with youth throughout the year. While some of the options below may work well in various settings and with various age groups, the list does not feature seasonal curriculum or resources designed specifically for confirmation, families, at-home settings, or intergenerational formation. For intergenerational program resources, you may want to check out our Top Picks for Intergenerational Curriculum. For youth confirmation options, see our Top Picks for Catechesis and Confirmation Curriculum. For seasonal resources, a good place to start is our Articles by Topic page.

The name of the curriculum provides a link to the curriculum’s website. The name of the publisher links to their “About” page where you can learn more about their theological approach. If you follow the link for each church denomination, you can review their statement of belief.

As always, when choosing a curriculum for your setting, take into account the theology, biblical interpretation, context, materials, and representation of human identities and experiences as you discern which curriculum might be the best fit for your context.

Lectionary-based Top Picks (Updated May 2026)

1. Connecting Faith and Justice: Youth Lectionary Curriculum

This curriculum follows the Revised Common Lectionary with a focus on justice each week. Lessons explore topics like poverty, racism, diversity, inclusion, advocacy, protest, civil disobedience, peacemaking, environmental justice, and more. Each lesson offers a “centering moment” or practice, scripture reading and discussion, group activities, and a “closing moment.” The curriculum provides 52 weekly lessons for all three years of the lectionary cycle, and the full curriculum with scope and sequence can be accessed, downloaded, and printed for free on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, 2018 (updated annually) (United Methodist Church)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth
• Contents: This curriculum is available for free by lectionary year in digital format; it consists of a leader guide with all of the lessons included

2. Feasting on the Word

This curriculum revolves around exploring Bible stories through the lectionary cycle. The youth curriculum is part of a collection of formation curriculum for the whole church so that children, youth, and adults can engage the same lectionary scriptures in age-appropriate ways. In 2024, the curriculum began transitioning to an undated format, which means that the lessons for each lectionary year can be reused every three years. The full scope and sequence features 52 lessons for each year (linked here for Year B/C, Year C/A, and Year A/B), and the majority of sessions focuses on the gospel readings with select Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms readings interspersed. Lessons include multiple group games and activities, scripture reading and discussion, and prayer. You can access sample lessons on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Westminster John Knox, 2022 – 2024 (Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.))
• Age group(s): tweens (grades 5 – 6), middle and high school youth (grades 7 – 12)
• Contents: The curriculum is available for purchase by age group for each season (fall, winter, spring, summer) or the whole year in printed or digital formats; it involves a leader guide with worksheets

Story-based Top Picks (Updated May 2026)

1. Echo the Story

This curriculum invites youth to engage scripture as a series of stories within a story through wondering, reflection, and creative activities. It uses video recaps to connect previous week’s stories to new lessons as well as sketchbooks to facilitate students’ drawings, writing, and conversations. The curriculum spans the Old and New Testaments and comes in two versions: a 12-lesson edition (see the scope and sequence here) and a 36-lesson edition (see the scope and sequence here). You can view sample lessons on the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Sparkhouse, 2014 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth (may be most appropriate for middle school)
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase by version (12 or 36); it involves a leader guide, youth sketch journal, and DVD, which can be purchased individually or in bundles (digital curriculum resources are also available with an annual subscription)

2. Fathom: A Deep Dive into the Story of God

This curriculum is a series of Bible studies that explore stories across the Old and New Testaments. It seeks to enable youth to ask hard questions and address complexities involved in interpreting scripture. Each series consists of 4 lessons on a particular topic, biblical book, or set of biblical books, and the full curriculum covers 18 different series. Lessons include multiple group games and journaling activities, scripture readings, discussion questions, and prayer. The study is also designed for youth to share in leading the sessions among their peers with adult leaders. You can view sample lesson excerpts on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Abingdon, 2017 – 2018 (United Methodist Church)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase by series in printed or digital format; it involves a leader guide and student journal that can be purchased individually in print format or by digital bundles

3. Shine: Living in God’s Light

This curriculum engages middle school youth in a three-year exploration of stories across the Old and New Testaments. It prioritizes commitments to love, justice, and peace in its theological approach to formation, and its lessons include group activities and games, scripture reading, discussion questions, ways to connect scripture with contemporary life and issues, and prayer. The scope and sequence for one year consists of approximately 39 weekly lessons from September through May. You can check out sample lessons on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: co-published by Brethren and MennoMedia, 2020 – present and forthcoming (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada)
• Age group(s): middle school youth (grades 6 – 8); children’s versions of the curriculum are also available
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase by quarter in printed or digital format; it involves a teacher’s guide and youth devotional titled “Quest” per student; accompanying materials like teaching posters are also available

Thematic Top Picks (Updated May 2026)

1. Animate

This curriculum seeks to facilitate formative learning, conversation, critical and creative thinking, and practices about central dimensions of Christian faith and life. It is designed for adults of all ages, but we think it may be beneficial for high school youth as well. The curriculum addresses three main topics: Faith, Bible, and Practices (see links for each scope and sequence). Each topic contains 7 lessons that feature videos with church leaders and scholars as well as journals to prompt group discussion. You can view sample materials on the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Sparkhouse, 2012 – 2014 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
• Age group(s): adults; we think it may also be appropriate for high school youth (grades 9 – 12)
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase by topic in printed or digital format; it involves a facilitator guide, participant journal, and DVD; lessons can also be purchased individually

2. Current

This curriculum provides opportunities for in-depth exploration of core dimensions of Christian life. The curriculum is tailored to four age groups—preschool children, elementary age children, youth, and adults—as well as to intergenerational groups so that the whole community can participate in a common formation program. It consists of 3 different series: “Seeking Justice Together,” “Seeking God Together,” and “Seeking Peace Together” (see links for each scope and sequence). Each series contains 13 lessons, and lessons for youth include group activities, scripture reading with reader’s theater scripts, discussion questions, and prayer. You can view sample lessons on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: co-published by Brethren Press and MennoMedia, 2021 – 2023 (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase by unit or series in digital format or within a “whole church bundle”; it involves a leader guide that includes handouts and worksheets; accompanying materials are also available

3. Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living

This curriculum is designed to help youth learn about key Christian practices for a life of faith. The youth curriculum is part of a formation series for the whole church so that children, youth, and adults can all explore the same Christian practices concurrently in age-appropriate ways. The practices include “Welcome All,” “Pray,” “Do Justice,” “Worship God,” and many more. The full scope and sequence consists of 27 units that span three years, and each unit involves 4 – 6 lessons on a specific practice, resulting in around 38 lessons per year. Lessons include scriptures that illuminate the practices, multiple activity options and discussion questions about the practices, and prayer. You can download a sample lesson on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Growing Faith Resources, 2020 – 2024 (Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.))
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth (ages 11 – 18)
• Contents: The curriculum is available for purchase by unit in printed or digital format, and it consists of a leader guide; accompanying infographic posters are also available

4. Generation Why

This curriculum engages youth in conversations, scripture study, and activities at the intersections of Christian faith, youth experiences, and social and ecological issues. It consists of 15 different topical series that each contain 5 – 6 lessons. Topics include ethics, friendship, creation care, understanding diverse faiths, violence in scripture, resolving conflicts, and more. Lessons include group activities, discussion, reading and reflecting on scripture, and suggested practices for youth to do during the week. You can view a sample lesson on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: co-published by Brethren and MennoMedia, 2014 (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase by topical series in printed or digital format; it involves a leader guide that includes handouts

5. God, Gospel, and Gender: A Queer Bible Study for Teens

This resource is a book designed to guide youth through scriptures that offer fruitful, empowering, and LGBTQIA+-affirming insights into gender and faith. Its aim is to underscore scripture’s message of God’s love for youth as God’s creation. It contains 8 chapters that cover both Old and New Testament passages, and the contents of each chapter provide enough material to use across either 8 or 16 Bible study sessions, depending on the time devoted to each gathering. Chapters include prayers, ice-breaker activities, scripture passages, background information, discussion questions, topics for further exploration, activities to engage the scripture, and closing reflections and prayer.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Church Publishing, 2024 (The Episcopal Church)
• Age group(s): tweens as well as middle and high school youth (grades 5 – 12)
• Contents: This book is available for purchase in printed or ebook format (note: there is no separate leader guide; the book is designed for both youth and adult leaders to use)

6. Journey to Adulthood

This curriculum offers a multi-year formation program for youth from grade 6 through grade 12. It consists of three modules tailored to different age groups: Rite 13, a two-year program for ages 11 – 13; J2A, a two-year program for ages 13 – 15; and 4Ward, a two-year program for ages 15 – 18. The curriculum for each module is organized into units about various dimensions of Christian faith and life, and lessons across units are designed to focus on themes of “self,” “society,” and “spirituality.” The full scope and sequence lists units that include “Made in God’s Image,” “I Will, with God’s Help,” “Caring for Creation,” “Searching Out the Scriptures,” and more. You can request access to sample lessons through a free trial through the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Church Publishing, 2021, revised edition (The Episcopal Church)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth (grades 6 – 12)
• Contents: This curriculum is available in digital format by subscription; it involves a leader guide; additional resources for leaders are also available

7. Lesson Plans That Work for Youth and Young Adults

This curriculum provides opportunities for youth to engage justice through scripture, group learning and discussion, activities, and prayer. It consists of two 8-session series of lessons, one on “Racial Justice” and another on “Climate Justice.” The curriculum offers age-specific lessons for both youth and young adults. You can view the full scope and sequence of each series and also access all the lessons for free in the topic links.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Department of Faith Formation of The Episcopal Church, 2021 (The Episcopal Church)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth; corresponding lessons available for young adults
• Contents: This curriculum is available for free by age group in digital format; it involves lesson plans for leaders; additional resources and recommended readings for racial justice are also available

8. Reach

This curriculum is designed to enable older youth to connect with faith in meaningful, practical ways for their own lives. It offers an exploratory approach for youth with open-ended questions as well as opportunities to try activities and process their experiences. The curriculum is organized by themes that show up in scripture, Christian faith, and contemporary life, and each unit consists of 6 lessons. Lesson plans include background info for leaders, opening conversation and activities, scriptures to read, discussion questions, additional activities, media options to incorporate into the session, and prayer. As of the publication date of this article, the publisher has released four units—”Sacred Rhythms: Living Faith in Daily Practice,” “Whole People Holy People: Faith and Mental Health,” “Being Church,” and “Why Church?”—with more units in the works for 2026 and 2027. Each unit also includes a lesson plan for an intergenerational formation gathering, which enables youth to share what they are learning and experiencing with other members of the congregation and to gain more insight from members of other age groups through that session. You can view sample pages on the Shine website linked above.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: co-published by Brethren and MennoMedia, 2026 – present (more units forthcoming) (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada)
• Age group(s): high school youth (grades 9 – 12)
• Contents: This curriculum is available for purchase in digital format, with a sliding scale cost based on youth group size; it consists of a leader guide

9. StoryMakers NYC Teen Zines

This resource collection seeks to aid youth in reflecting on faith in relation to their lives. The curriculum uses a zine format (“short for magazine,” as the publisher’s website says) with illustrations, scriptures, prompts for conversation or journaling, and theological takeaways for youth to engage, and it offers companion teacher guides for leaders. Six zine volumes are currently available: “The Faith,” which focuses on the Apostles’ Creed; “Identity,” which explores the Lord’s Prayer; “All the Feels,” which engages the sacraments of baptism and eucharist; “Relationships,” which dives into the Ten Commandments; “Future Self,” which focuses on self-understanding in relation to God; and “The Gospels,” which explores all four gospels in scripture. Spanish versions of “The Faith” and “Identity” zines are also available, which you can check out at this link: Teen Zines in Spanish. Each zine volume provides 10–12 chapters to cover 10–12 lessons. Breakdowns of chapter topics are included at the links to the zine volumes. Because the zines address key topics and themes in catechesis or confirmation classes, this curriculum may also be useful for youth confirmation. Sample pages can be viewed on the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: StoryMakers NYC, 2023 – 2025 (not affiliated with a specific church denomination; read their belief statement here)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth (ages 13 – 18)
• Contents: The curriculum is available for purchase in printed format; it consists of a zine for each youth and teacher guide for leaders; additional resources like postcards and sticker sheets can be purchased separately

10. Tell Me about the Bible

This resource offers topical Bible studies for youth that bring progressive theological perspectives to stories in scripture. The curriculum is designed to empower and equip youth to engage scripture in ways that are informed by ancient contexts and attentive to teens’ contemporary contexts and experiences. The lessons encourage reflection and creativity through group discussion and various activities. Currently, the curriculum consists of two volumes, “Extraordinary Leaders” and “Extraordinary Youth,” with 4 lessons each, and both volumes feature scripture stories and figures from the Old and New Testaments. Lessons include background info for leaders, a music suggestion, an opening game and check-in question, scripture storytelling, group discussion, fun facts related to the scripture, activities, prayer, and a take-home sheet for parents and caregivers.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Illustrated Ministry, 2024 – 2025 (not affiliated with a specific church denomination)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth (grades 6 – 12)
• Contents: The curriculum is available for purchase in digital format with a sliding scale cost based on church size; it consists of a leader guide with additional accompanying printable materials

11. Teen Compass Faith and Wellness

This curriculum helps youth explore wellness in their own lives. It incorporates story examples, scripture, group discussion, journaling, and prayer to enable youth to reflect on what wellness means in relation to Christian faith and to create goals for practicing wellness. The curriculum is designed for a minimum of 26 sessions, and the scope and sequence contains 8 units on different components of wellness with 3 lessons in each unit. You can view sample lessons on the curriculum website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Living Compass, 2016 (not affiliated with a specific church denomination)
• Age group(s): middle and high school youth; similar resources for adults are also offered
• Contents: This curriculum is available in digital format for free; it involves a leader guide and teen notebook; notebooks can also be purchased in print format

Youth Ministry Curriculum Chart (May 2026)

Below is an interactive curriculum chart that you can use to search for specific features and compare curriculum options. You can search by age group, church denomination, and any other feature named in the table. If you type “Lutheran” into the search bar, for example, the chart will list all the curricula from publishers affiliated with the ELCA. Similarly, you can type “Spanish” to specify Spanish language resources. You can also follow the links on the curriculum names to the publishers’ websites to learn more about each option.

If you prefer to have a wider view of the chart, it is also available on our Curriculum Center page.

Editor’s Note: This article was last published on July 28, 2025. It has been revised, updated, and republished on May 5, 2026.

Featured image is by Chang Duong on Unsplash