Curriculum Resources and Ideas
Finding the right curriculum for your Children’s Ministry programme can be a challenge. And while there are many quality resources available, not all are created equal! PCFM have compiled a list of some the resources that have been recommended and used by various ministry leaders throughout the PCANZ. While this is not a comprehensive list, by any means, hopefully it will help you to determine which resources will work best for your ministry setting.
If you have found a curriculum or resource that you’d recommend to others, please feel free to email us at childrenandfamilies@pcanz.org.nz so that we can include it in the list!
Lectionary-Based Resources
If your church follows the Common Lectionary in its worship services, a Lectionary-based curriculum is a great way to ensure your children’s ministry programmes are following the same themes and scripture as the wider church whānau.
LIVING STONES
Includes: Separate books for 3 age levels plus the Complete Resource book for worship services.
Suitable for: Pebbles (3-5yrs), Rocks (6-10yrs), Boulders (11-14yrs) and Complete Resource Book (all ages)
The Complete Resource Book explores the texts of Common Worship, teases out the meaning and opportunities inherent in them and then offers abundant ideas, suggestions and encouragement.
Lesson outlines and activity ideas including photo-copiable worksheets are in the age level separate books: Pebbles, Rocks and Boulders.
Pricing: From $42.99 per book
Available for purchase: https://churchstores.co.nz/products/9781840033984-living-stones-rocks-yr-b
SERMONS4KIDS
Includes: a talk based on one of the Lectionary readings for each week and follow up Colouring Pages, Puzzles, Games, Songs, and Other Activities related to the message.
Also on the website is an index of sermons for the complete three year cycle and more than 40 PowerPoints including the wonderful artwork of Henry Martin.
Suitable for: All ages together in church. Free activity sheets are easy to download and print. Set up a low table, crayons, felts, nice paper and activity sheets etc for children to work on during the sermon.
If children are going out to a programme you will need games, songs, prayers and craft options for a whole programme.
Pricing: Free
Subscription option available for a yearly fee of $249 USD
Available at https://sermons4kids.com/
ROOTS Resources
Includes: a weekly programme with prayers, activities, bible exploration and application.
Suitable for: A wide variety of ages and ministry contexts. The ROOTS resources are adaptable for many situations, so a great option if you have a wide range of ages together, or are needing a curriculum with good flexibility.
Pricing: A yearly subscription is required to access the resources. Starting at £64.
Available at https://www.rootsontheweb.com/
Long Range Resources
If your church is looking for a curriculum that will span a year or more, that will cover a wide range of themes and topics, a long range resource might work well for you.
Light Curriculum
Includes: Teacher manuals and children’s activity magazines (optional). Produced quarterly. Covers the major Christian festivals each year and a range of other Bible Stories and themes over a four year cycle. Supporting resources – music CDs, timeline and web resources for each series.
Suitable for: Age based groups -Bubbles (under 5s), Splash! (5-8s), Xstream (8-11s), The GRID (11-14s). Light is very clearly Bible-focused. It helps children and young people to understand
the Bible and Christian faith and encourages them to develop a personal relationship with Christ. Splash! and Xstream follow the core Light syllabus, Bubbles adapts as needed for the younger age group and The GRID relates the Bible to young people’s contemporary issues.
Pricing: $95 per syllabus (52 sessions)
Available from https://www.sunz.org.nz/shop/
Mustard Seeds
Includes: faithful, creative and effective Bible teaching material for children’s and youth ministries. A subscription-based curriculum, that covers a wide variety of topics
Suitable for: toddlers, 3-11 years and 11-18 years.
Pricing: From £10 per month, depending on size of ministry.
Available from http://www.mustard-seeds.net
Theme-Based Resources
Ranging in length from 4-10 weeks, the following resources are great for leaders wanting to pick and mix themes and topics to fit into the term calendar.
Mosaic Curriculum
Scripture Union offers Mosaic, a resource similar to the Light curriculum, for contexts where a wide range of ages learn together.
Pricing: $15 per manual (12 sessions)
Available from https://www.sunz.org.nz/shop/
