CURRICULUM CENTER: CHOOSING CURRICULUM
Choosing curriculum
Choosing curriculum is a discernment process that matches the needs, desires, and resources of a particular context with available published materials.
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What Is the “Right” Curriculum?
Looking for the “best” curriculum for children’s, youth, adult, or intergenerational formation? There are many options from a variety of publishers and denominations. The right choice depends entirely on your context and goals.
The articles below will help you identify your needs, capabilities, and hopes. We have also created interactive curriculum charts, available at the bottom of the page, to make it easier for you to search for and compare options.
We encourage you to pray for wisdom and clarity and to discern with others as you explore curriculum options to meet the needs and gifts of your community. When choosing a curriculum, we recommend taking into account the theology, biblical interpretation, context, materials, and representation of human identities and experiences of the resources.
If you would like additional support, we at Building Faith are here to help! Please get in touch with us by email.
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Curriculum Charts
Below are interactive curriculum charts 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 “youth” into the search bar, for example, the chart will list all the curricula designed for youth. 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.
Adult Formation Curriculum Chart (2026)
| Curriculum | Type | Age Group | Denomination | Description | Scope & Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animate | thematic | adults, young adults, high school youth | Lutheran (ELCA) | video-based lesson series on faith, Bible, and practices; leader guide plus participant journal | 7 lessons in each unit, 3 total units | $26.99 for leader guide, $14.99 for journal, $29.99 for DVD; $30 to purchase digital copy of individual lesson |
| Current | thematic | adults | Church of the Brethren, Mennonite USA, Mennonite Church of Canada | lesson series on seeking justice, seeking God, and seeking peace; leader guide | 3 series, each with 13 lessons | $39.99 for leader guide |
| Dialogues On | thematic | adults | Lutheran (ELCA) | video and discussion lesson series on the refugee crisis, sexuality, and race; facilitator guide, learner book, and DVD | 3 series, each with 7 lessons | $26.99 for facilitator guide, $10.99 for learner book, $29.99 for DVD |
| Feasting on the Word | lectionary | adults, young adults | Presbyterian (PCUSA) | discussion-oriented lessons on scriptures in the lectionary; leader guides for adult and young adult editions | weekly lessons, 52 total for lectionary year | $80 for adult leader guide per quarter, $160 for adult leader guide for the full lectionary year; $45 for young adult leader guide per quarter, $90 for young adult leader guide for the full lectionary year |
| Follow Me | thematic | Presbyterian (PCUSA) | lesson series on Christian practices; leader guide and participant reflection guide | 27 units, each with 4–6 lessons | $12–15 for leader guide per unit, $9 for participant reflection guide per unit; other package purchase options available | |
| Lesson Plans That Work for Youth and Young Adults | thematic | young adults, youth | Episcopal | lesson series on racial justice and climate justice with discussion and activities; digital leader guides | 2 series, each with 8 lessons | free |
| Living the Way of Love in Community / El camino del amor / La voie de l'amour | thematic | adults | Episcopal | discussion-focused series on the Way of Love practices for small groups; digital lesson plans available in English, Spanish, and French | 9 lessons | free |
| Making Sense | thematic | adults | Lutheran (ELCA) | lesson series on theological questions; leader guide, participant book, DVD | 4 series, each with 6–8 lessons | $19.99–22.99 for leader guide, $14.99 for participant book, $19.99 for DVD |
| Pilgrim | thematic | adults | Episcopal | lesson series on faith; leader guide plus books for participants on each topic in the series | 2 parts, each with 4 topics that each have 6 – 7 lessons | $16.95 for leader guide, $14.95 for participant book (lower price for ebook versions) |
| Transforming Questions | thematic | adults | Episcopal | discussion-oriented lesson series on faith; leader guide and participant guide plus supplemental book | 10 lessons | free digital curriculum; printed editions and supplemental book available for purchase |
Catechesis & Confirmation Curriculum Chart (2026)
| Curriculum | Purpose | Age Group | Denomination | Description | Scope & Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animate | catechesis | adults, high school youth | Lutheran (ELCA) | video-based lesson series on faith, Bible, and practices; leader guide plus participant journal | 7 lessons in each unit, 3 total units | $26.99 for leader guide, $14.99 for journal, $29.99 for DVD; $30 to purchase digital copy of individual lesson |
| Confirm | confirmation | youth | Methodist (UMC) | lesson series with videos; lesson plans plus guides for directors, students, mentors, and parents | 39 lessons organized into 6 units | $139.99 for starter kit; items also can be purchased individually |
| I Will, with God's Help | confirmation | youth, adults | Episcopal | lesson series on creed and Baptismal Covenant; leader guide, mentor guide, and participant journals | 6 lessons, adaptable for 6 – 12 sessions | $26.95 for leader guide, $13.95 for mentor guide, $13.95 for journal (lower price for ebook versions) |
| Making Disciples | confirmation | youth | Methodist (UMC) | mentoring model for confirmation preparation; coordinator guide, mentor guide, and participant journal | 13 sessions | $18.99 for coordinator guide, $17.99 for mentor guide, $13.99 for journal (lower price for ebook versions) |
| My Faith, My Life | confirmation | youth | Episcopal | book written for youth about Episcopal faith; leader guide also available | 9 chapters, adaptable for 6 or 10 sessions | $24.95 for youth book, $22.95 for leader guide (lower price for ebook versions) |
| Pilgrim | catechesis | adults | Episcopal | lesson series on faith; leader guide plus books for participants on each topic in the series | 2 parts, each with 4 topics that each have 6 – 7 lessons | $16.95 for leader guide, $14.95 for participant book (lower price for ebook versions) |
| Practicing Our Faith / Practiquemos nuestra fe | confirmation | youth, adults | Episcopal | lesson series on The Book of Common Prayer; leader guide plus books for participants; both English and Spanish versions available | 26 lessons | free digital leader guide, $22 for book (discount for bulk purchases) |
| Professing Our Faith | confirmation | youth | Presbyterian (PCUSA) | lesson series for confirmation; teacher book plus student notebook | 35 lessons, adaptable for 8 sessions or an academic year | $50 for teacher book, $7 for 8-session student notebook, $11 for 35-session student notebook |
| StoryMakers Teen Zines | catechesis or confirmation | youth | unaffiliated | interactive zines with lessons on faith; teacher guide plus student zine for each series; 2 zines available in both English and Spanish | 6 series with 10 – 12 lessons each | $20 for zine (discount for bulk purchases), $45 for teacher guide |
| Transforming Questions | catechesis | adults | Episcopal | discussion-oriented lesson series on faith; leader guide and participant guide plus supplemental book | 10 lessons | free digital curriculum; printed editions and supplemental book available for purchase |
| Will You? | catechesis | adults | Episcopal | lesson series on the Baptismal Covenant; participant book with daily devotions and leader guide | 5-week study | free leader guide, $12 for participant book (discount for bulk purchases) |
| Your Faith, Your Life / Tu fe, tu vida | confirmation | adults | Episcopal | book on Episcopal faith; available in both English and Spanish | 10 chapters | $26.95 (lower price for ebook version, higher for large print English version) |
Youth Ministry Curriculum Chart (2026)
| Curriculum | Type | Age Group | Denomination | Description | Scope & Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animate (2012 – 2014) | thematic | adults, high school youth | Lutheran (ELCA) | video-based lesson series on faith, Bible, and practices; leader guide and participant journal | 7 lessons in each unit, 3 total units | $26.99 for leader guide, $14.99 for journal, $29.99 for DVD; $30 to purchase digital copy of individual lesson |
| Connecting Faith and Justice (2018, updated annually) | lectionary | middle school youth, high school youth | Methodist (UMC) | weekly lessons with scripture, prayer, guided discussion, and activities focused on social and ecological justice in faith; digital downloadable leader guide | weekly for entire year, with three years of lessons for lectionary cycle | free |
| Current (2021 – 2023) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | Church of the Brethren, Mennonite USA, Mennonite Church Canada | lesson series on seeking justice, seeking God, and seeking peace with activities, scripture, discussion, and prayer; leader guide | 3 series, each with 13 lessons | $39.99 for leader guide |
| Echo the Story (2014) | story | middle school youth | Lutheran (ELCA) | engagement with scripture across Old and New Testaments through storytelling, wondering, reflection, and art; leader guide, youth sketch journal, and DVD | 12-session version and 36-session version | 12-session version: $31.99 for leader guide, $11.99 for youth sketch journal, and $39.99 for DVD; 36-session version: $17.99 for leader guide per set of 6 lessons, $8.99 for youth sketch journal per set of 6 lessons, $24.99 for DVD per set of 6 lessons |
| Fathom (2017 – 2018) | story | middle school youth, high school youth | Methodist (UMC) | multiple series of Bible studies for youth; leader guide and student journal | 4 lessons in each series, 18 series total | $9.99 – 14.99 for leader guide, $6.79 for student journal; digital bundles also available |
| Feasting on the Word (2022 – 2024) | lectionary | tweens (grades 5 & 6), middle school youth, high school youth | Presbyterian (PCUSA) | weekly lessons engaging lectionary scriptures with discussion, group games, activities, and prayer; leader guide with worksheets | weekly for entire year, with three years of lessons for lectionary cycle | $80 for youth leader guide per quarter, $160 for youth leader guide for full year |
| Follow Me (2020 – 2024) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | Presbyterian (PCUSA) | lesson series on Christian practices; leader guide | 27 units, each with 4 – 6 lessons | $30 – 35 for leader guide per unit (lower price for digital format) |
| Generation Why (2014) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | Church of the Brethren, Mennonite USA, Mennonite Church Canada | topical lesson series for engaging scripture and contemporary issues that affect youth lives; leader guide with handouts | 15 series, each with 5 – 6 lessons | $18.99 – 20.99 for leader guide per series (lower price for printed format) |
| God, Gospel, and Gender (2024) | thematic | tweens (grades 5 & 6), middle school youth, high school youth | Episcopal | book that offers LGBTQIA+ affirming explorations of scripture for youth; no additional leader guide | 8 chapters that can be used for 8 or 16 lessons | $15.99 – 16.95 for book (lower price for ebook version) |
| Journey to Adulthood (2021) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | Episcopal | multi-year program on self, society, and spirituality in Christian faith and life; leader guide with additional resources | 3 modules with weekly lessons that are designed for different ages | $199 – 599 for subscription (sliding scale by church size) |
| Lesson Plans That Work for Youth and Young Adults (2021) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth, young adults | Episcopal | lesson series for engaging justice through scripture, discussion, and activities; digital lesson plans for leaders | 2 series with 8 lessons each | free |
| Reach (2026 – present) | thematic | high school youth | Church of the Brethren, Mennonite USA, Mennonite Church Canada | lesson series for youth to explore how faith and scripture can connect with their lives; leader guide | 4 units currently available, each with 6 lessons; more units forthcoming in 2026 and 2027 | $34.99 – 64.99 for leader guide (sliding scale cost based on youth group size) |
| Shine (2020 – present) | story | middle school youth | Church of the Brethren, Mennonite USA, Mennonite Church Canada | lessons engaging both Old and New Testament scriptures with discussion and activities; leader guide and youth devotional | 39 weekly lessons for academic year, with a total of three years of lessons | $20.99 – 57.99 for leader guide per quarter (sliding scale cost based on class size), $13.99 for youth devotional per quarter |
| StoryMakers NYC Teen Zines (2023 – 2025) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | unaffiliated | interactive zines with lessons on faith; teacher guide and student zine for each series; 2 zines available in both English and Spanish | 6 series with 10 – 12 lessons each | $20 for zine (discount for bulk purchases), $45 for teacher guide |
| Teen Compass Faith and Wellness (2016) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | unaffiliated | series focused on helping youth explore and practice wellness from a faith-informed perspective; leader guide and teen notebook | 26 sessions organized into 8 units with 3 lessons in each | free in digital format, $10 for print version of teen notebook |
| Tell Me about the Bible (2024 – 2025) | thematic | middle school youth, high school youth | unaffiliated | lesson series for Bible study that bring progressive theological perspectives to scripture and encourage reflection and creative engagement; leader guide | 2 volumes, each with 4 lessons | $34.99 – 49.99 for leader guide per volume (sliding scale based on church size) |