Formation Resources
Included below are some of our favorite resources for Christian Formation. These will be updated from time to time, so check back often!
Quicklinks to Resource Categories:
Church at Home - The Bible Project
Resource type: Curriculum, Video Series, Online
A free resource designed for youth and families to help in these unprecedented times to continue to engage in Scripture with engaging multimedia Bible studies. Easy to understand, and very informational.
The Bible Study - Zach Windahl
Resource type: Curriculum, Bible Study, In-person
A year-long program to read the Bible and grow closer to God. Weekly reading plans covering the Old and New Testament, allows for a deeper dive into scripture with guided questions.
Faith in An Anxious World - Fuller Youth Institute
Resource type: Curriculum, Discussion Group, In-person
This 4-week curriculum is designed to help open channels of communication between young people and their peers, their parents, and the church about mental health. It integrates anxiety into conversations about discipleship and holistic, faithful living.
Books of the Bible - The Bible Project
Resource type: Curriculum, Video Series, Online
Free animated videos that explore the books and themes of the Bible. Accessible and easy to understand.
The Path Ahead: Spirituality and Purpose Later in Life
Resource type: Video Presentation, Online
View this presentation on the spirituality of aging by Elizabeth Boyd and Rev. Susan Walker at Province III's Synod and Council meeting in October 2020.
Sacred Ground Film Based Dialogue - The Episcopal Church
Resource type: Curriculum, Video Series, Online
A film and readings based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Part of the Episcopal Church's long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Can be done individually or in a church study group.
Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home - The Episcopal Church
Resource type: Personal Development, Program, Online
This Carbon Tracker is a web-based application that helps individuals, households, congregations and even dioceses to measure carbon footprints and take steps to shrink it to fit a sustainable life.
The Space Between Us - Sarah Bauer Anderson
Resource type: Book
A timely and necessary book; shows that following Jesus is our best hope for navigating the most complex issues in culture. For those who are looking to build a bridge with the people politics and religion has isolated them from, and for those who won't settle for the growing space between us and who believe there's a better way.
Dream Big - Bob Goff
Resource type: Book
A life-proven journey to rediscover your dreams and turn them into reality. Bob Goff draws on a lifetime of living and dreaming large to help you reach your larger-than-life dreams.
Ready to Rise - Jo Saxton
Resource type: Book
Ready to Rise tackles the real life issues women face — workplace harassment, sexism, low self esteem, financial woes, power battles, and old wounds — while providing meaningful wisdom from Jo’s own journey to leadership.
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry - Doug Fields
Resource type: Book
An indispensable guide to creating and maintaining youth ministry for the long run. It will help to create a solid spiritual team that builds the foundations of the Christian faith into the hearts and lives of young people.
When Relationships Matter - Reggie Joiner, Tom Shefchunas, Kristen Ivy
Resource type: Book
With the best practices, training tips, and real-life stories from ministry leaders across the country—this resource will help ministers to create an effective small group culture in your church.
Growing Young Video Series - Fuller Youth Institute
Resource type: Curriculum, Video Series, Online
In this 9-episode series, Growing Young authors Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin offer proven research and stories from churches nationwide as they guide youth leaders to think about how each core commitment can transform a church in its unique context.
It's Personal - Virginia Ward, Reggie Joiner, and Kristen Ivy
Resource type: Book
In "It's Personal," the authors provide ways to disciple young people in a way that is relational. They suggest five major strategies related to identity, worth, empathy, love and belief.
Sticky Faith - Kara Powell and Chap Clark
Resource type: Book
Describes a powerful strategy to show ministry leaders how to actively encourage their young people’s spiritual growth so that it will stick with them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith.
God's Dream - Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams
Resource type: Book
Focused on a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God or the shade of their skin. Encourages children to be compassionate, kind, and to forgive others, and includes colorful illustrations. Geared towards children aged 2-8.
The ABCs of Diversity - Carolyn Helsel and Y. Joy Harris-Smith
Resource type: Book
This book will help children learn the language of diversity, respect differences, and honor similarities. The ABCs of Diversity equips parents, teachers, and community leaders to have intergenerational and intercultural conversations about the differences between us.
Godly Play
Resource type: Curriculum, In-person
The Godly Play approach helps children to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play.
Faith in an Anxious World - Parent Podcast - Fuller Youth Institute
Resource type: Podcast, Online
Tune in to gain tools and tips to have new conversations with your teenager about anxiety and healthy living.
The Gift of Failure - Jessica Lahey
Resource type: Book
Focuses on the critical school years when parents must learn to allow their children to experience the disappointment and frustration that occur from life’s inevitable problems so that they can grow up to be successful, resilient, and self-reliant adults.
The Pandemic Population - Tim Elmore
Resource type: Book
Identifies eight strategies to help Generation Z rediscover hope after coronavirus. A timely treatment on how to lead youth in a crisis.
Websites with Additional Resources
Grow Christians - https://www.growchristians.org/
Parent Cue - https://theparentcue.org/
Building Faith - https://buildfaith.org/
Illustrated Ministry - https://www.illustratedministry.com/
Download Youth Ministries - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com
Forward Movement - https://www.forwardmovement.org/
These are just a few favorites! Search our full list of resources here.
