Choosing what to use to help you carry out the extraordinary task of helping children form their faith can be a daunting task. However, with the right questions in hand and a deep knowledge of your ministry, you can discern what is right for you and the children in your ministry.
The purpose of children’s faith formation resources is to provide children with the tools they will need to increasingly identify themselves as children of God and to be in ministry as Christians—both now and throughout their lifetime.
Providing such tools for children is not a simple task, for the needs of children vary according to their circumstances and experiences.
The needs of children are multicultural; they are economic; they are related to time and place and circumstances. The needs of children differ according to their learning styles, their abilities, and their individual stages of physical, mental, and spiritual development.
And most of all, the needs of children are always growing and changing.
In addition, we must remember that the needs of children cannot be met without also providing for the needs of the adults who nurture children—parents, teachers, pastors, and the entire congregation.
When setting out on this ever-important task of engaging children and their adults in faith formation, certain characteristics help you discern resources that are valuable to your ministry.
This includes finding resources that use Bible stories that help you teach what you want to teach, resources that contain engaging and inspiring activities, and resources that help children connect their faith to their everyday lives.
- Well-Chosen Bible Stories
One of the most important considerations when choosing faith formation resources that work for you and your ministry is not only the types of stories that are included but also how the stories are used to teach children about God, themselves, the Christian church, and the world around them.
There are many stories to choose from the Bible, many of which are more appropriate/easier to teach to children. But just as important as what a resource teaches from the Bible, consider how Bible stories are used to teach faith concepts.
As you look at a scope and sequence of Bible stories for any particular resource, consider these questions:
* What do these Bible stories teach us about God or Jesus?
* What do these Bible stories tell us about ourselves as humans?
* Is God the hero in this story, or are humans shown as the heroes?
You know your context and ministry better than anyone, so as you answer these questions, you will be able to discern if a resource is a good fit for you.
- Activities that Engage and Inspire
While choosing what to teach is the first hurdle in selecting faith formation resources, determining how to teach faith concepts is just as important.
In an increasingly technological world, with children’s and families’ attention being pulled in many different directions, it can be challenging to plan for and facilitate faith formation events and activities that children and families choose to participate in over all the other many options in their lives.
Depending on your level of experience in education, it may also be challenging to know if the activities in a faith formation resource are engaging and appropriate for the children in your ministry.
You know your context. Resources that have a variety of activities (games, crafts, movement, music, discussion, and so forth) may be a good fit for you so that you can pick and choose what you know will be exciting and fun for the children you minister to and will reach children with a variety of learning styles.
Resources with limited supplies may be a good fit for you if you are confined by your space or access to supplies. Resources with a media component may or may not work for you based on what is available to you on Sunday morning or any other time you are engaging in faith formation with kids.
No matter what you choose, look for resources that will have the biggest impact through the types of activities that are included.
- Real Life & Home Connections
Resources that we use in Sunday School, VBS, or in other ministry programs with children can be incredibly impactful, but the reality is that we are limited to the short amount of time in which children are present with us. This means that any resources we use to help children form their faith has to extend beyond our walls.
When choosing faith formation resources, it is important to consider not only how these resources help children engage with faith in the moment, but how they help children (and the adults who love them) apply their faith to their lives.
Determining how you want to help faith formation extend into the home will help you discern what resources are right for you.
When looking at resources, ask yourself these questions:
* Do any of the activities or Bible stories help children apply their faith to their daily lives?
* Is there a specific take-home piece that I can send home?
* If not, is there any part of the resource that could be converted into something to send home with children?
* Is there anything included in this resource that will help parents or caregivers find help for their own faith and life skills, empowering them to model and speak about their faith with their children?
There are many other details that may affect whether you choose to use a particular faith formation resource, such as logistics, price, time, or other factors beyond your control.
Whether you choose to purchase resources or are led to develop your own, asking yourself the questions outlined above can help you select or create resources that have a lasting impact in children’s lives.
Megan Teegarden-Ranjit is a team lead editor for Cokesbury Kids, a division of The United Methodist Publishing House, which equips people with resources that help them come to know and deepen their knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, learn to love God, and choose to serve God and neighbor. Learn about their Big Faith resources and VBS at CokesburyKids.com and CokesburyVBS.com.
