The Office of Christian Formation seeks to honor the unique gifts, challenges and opportunities that come with every age and stage in a person’s lifetime of faith formation. We introduce and provide resources for essential Christian practices that can be followed by churches, in families, by individuals young and older, in communities, small groups, classrooms and retreats. The following resources come from our office, departments within the Presbyterian Mission Agency, other agencies within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and our partner associations.
Quicksheets are 2-3 page PDF’s full of ministry ideas and links to other resources on a variety of topics in the area of Christian Formation. In addition to our Quicksheets we have recently added two additional resource types. Compass Points are 3-4 page PDF’s which offer a guide for faith in practice on a particular formation topic. Resource Roadmaps are 2 page PDF’s which offer short notes on big topics in the format of links and lists. We sometimes create Toolkits which include a Compass Point, Quicksheets, and a Resource Roadmap around the same topic or theme. We offer the following resources to support leaders and congregations:
Leadership Resources
- Opening Doors to Discipleship Website
- Expressions of Older Adult Ministry Website
- Educational Technology Tools for Expansive Ministry | Technology and Teaching
- Pondering and Planning: Resource for Faith Re-Formation | Post Pandemic Pondering and Planning
KOREAN | SPANISH - What Next?
- Trauma-Informed Ministry
- Scattered Church
- Elder and Deacon Training
Intergenerational Ministry Resources
There is a wide range of Intergenerational Formation Resources including Faith Practices, Mission and Retreat at this link.
Intergenerational Formation
Toolkits
- Care Partner Tool Kit
- Faith Practices Toolkit
- Intergenerational Mission Toolkit
- Faith and Disability Inclusion Toolkit
- Children and Anti-Racism Toolkit
- Bending the Moral Arc
Camp and Retreat Resources
- Retreat Module: Grandparent Camp
- Rest and Renewal: A Youth Retreat on Mental Well Being and Spiritual Practices
- Youth Retreat: Creation and Creation Care
- Youth Mission Work Camp Retreat: Living our Faith, Caring for God’s Many Gifts
- Gifts + Callings
- Intergenerational Retreat: Connecting with God’s Creation
- Confirmation in the Spirt, Bread for the Journey
- Rest, Re-creation, Relationships: A Maker’s Retreat
- Shine: Living as Children of God in a Restless World
Children’s Ministry Resources
- Children’s Ministry Beyond the Church Walls
- Retreat Module: Grandparent Camp
- At Home Formation Building a Child’s Home Library
- Weaving Matthew 25 through Children’s, Youth, Intergenerational, Faith at Home Ministries
- Matthew 25 Resources: Pay it Forward Challenge | Resource Roadmap
- Bible Presentation for Children
- Pastoral Care with Children Tips and Tools | Pastoral Care with Children Six Essential Ingredients
- Engaging Children in Matthew 25 | Matthew 25 Stewardship
- Supporting Children in LGTBQIA+ Families
- Singing the Faith to Our Children: Hymns and Formation
- Children and Anti-Racism Toolkit
- Creating Space for Children and their Families in Worship
- Simple Practices of Prayer at Home
- Tips for Incorporating Faith At Home – Creating Sacred Moments
- Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible and FlyAway Books – Tips for Engaging
- Talking to Children about Homelessness
- Supporting Grieving Children | Supporting Grieving Children Amid Loss | Supporting Grieving Children Resource Roadmap
- Church Family Moment
- Grandparents, Godparents and Faith
- Lessons from the Table: 5 Communion Lessons
Youth Ministry Resources
Each of these links sends you to a complete list of Quicksheet links on the topic below.
- Rest and Renewal: A Youth Retreat on Mental Well Being and Spiritual Practices
- Let Me Introduce You to Gen Z
- Youth Retreat: Creation and Creation Care
- Youth Mission Work Camp Retreat: Living our Faith, Caring for God’s Many Gifts
- Weaving Matthew 25 through Children’s, Youth, Intergenerational, Faith at Home Ministries
- Matthew 25 Resources: Pay it Forward Challenge | Resource Roadmap
- Models for Confirmation
- Gift Giving Tips for Youth and Volunteers
- When Did We See You? Presbyterian Youth Triennium Resources – Group Study Guide, Recreation Guide, Worship and Prayer Guide, Event Planning Guide
- Gifts + Callings: A Summer Camp Curriculum for Sr. High Leadership
- Prayer and Spirituality Resources
- Parents and Caregivers Resources
- Worship and Seasons of the Church
- Supporting Leaders of Youth Ministry
- Youth Group, Bible Study and Programs
- Spanish Resources
- Mission and Social Justice Resources
Youth Quicksheets Index
Young Adults/Collegiate Ministry Resources
- Ways to Care for Your Students after a Tragic Event
- Responding to Traumatic Events
- Promise and Possibility: The Movement of the Spirit through Gen Z | Spanish | Korean
- Why Presbyterians are Like That: A 10 Session Bible Study (More information and individual lesson PDF’s available at Ukirk.org)
- Theology Chats
- Planning a Retreat for College Students
- Spiritual Emotional Care: Essential Tools
- Exploring Spiritual Practices with College Students
- Connecting with UKirk Collegiate Ministries
- What’s Next After Youth Ministry
- Being Grounded, Campus Ministry and Mental Health
- Mental Health Issues on College Campuses
- Celebrating the LGBTQA+ Community
- Guide for Maximizing Social Media Use
- How to Help Students Articulate Their Values
- Worship Themes and Sermon Series
- How to Start a UKirk Ministry
Adult/Older Adult Ministry Resources
- Expressions of Older Adult Ministry Website | How to Use Expressions of Older Adult Ministry Site
- Retreat Module: Grandparent Camp
- Every Living Creature: Authentic Christian Faith in a Multi-Faith World | Spanish | Korean
- 10 Best Practices for Cultivating Belonging
- Promise and Possibility: The Movement of the Spirit through Gen Z | Spanish | Korean
- Why Are Presbyterians Like That: Bible Study and Resource for Congregations
- Bending the Moral Arc Manual – How to have courageous conversations and to take steps towards dismantling structural racism.
- Mental Health Matters: An overview of mental health issues that affect older adults. (Part One)
- Mental Health Matters: Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Part Two)
- Stay Connected Screen Free
- Grandparents, Godparents and Faith
- Grief: The importance and challenging blessing of mourning
- Tips to Address Loneliness in Older Adults
- Supporting Older Adults Through Grief
- Loneliness and Isolation in Faith Communities
- A Liturgy for Moving
- Ideas for Establishing a Card Ministry
- How to Develop a Dementia-Friendly Worship Service
- 15 Tips for Home and Hospital Visits
- Devotions: A How to Guide for Spiritual Inquiry in Elderhood
- Gray is a Vibrant Color
Webinars and Training
- Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living (Youth Component) Webinar
Watch the Webinar Recording | Learn more about Follow Me - Faith at Home Lent Practices Webinar with Traci Smith
Watch the Webinar recording | Faith Practices Video Playlist | Faith Practices Toolkit - Opening Doors to Discipleship Webinar
Watch Webinar | ODTD Quicksheet | ODTD Website
Worship and Music Resources
- Worshiping God Together: A Guide for Children and Their Parents
- Incorporating Hymns, Psalms, and Song Paraphrases
- Beyond worship: Music Resources for the Matthew 25 Congregation
- Why Do Worship Education with Congregations
- Reclaiming Daily Prayer as Part of Faith Formation
- Using Music as the Basis of Faith Formation
- Online Memorial Services
- Creating Space for Children and their Families in Worship
- How to Start a Prayer Group | Worship Books and Intergenerational Ministry | This is My Song | Holy Humor
- Church Family Moment
Special Emphasis Day Resources (Planning Calendar)
- Christian Formation Week (September)
- College and Young Adult Sunday Resources (August)
- Mr. Rogers Day Resources (March)
- Camp and Retreat Sunday Resources (February)
- Older Adult Week (May)
- All Special Emphasis Day and Planning Calendar
Curriculum Resources
The PC(USA) offers a central online store where you can find all PC(USA)-produced books, curriculum and resources in one place.
- 2023-2024 Christian Education and Ministry Resources Catalog PCUSA Store (Curriculum)
- PC (USA) Store Resources – This includes Curriculum links and other Resources.
- Matthew 25 Resource Guide – Here is a guide with books and digital resources for children, youth, and adults around three foci of the Matthew 25 vision.
- The PC(USA) Store is a comprehensive selection of PC(USA) resources that supports age and stage formation.
- The Follow Me Curriculum is for all ages and focuses on faith practices.
- The Thoughtful Christian
- To find a comprehensive list of curriculum, check out the Christian Education and Church Ministries downloadable catalog.
Quick Link Resource List for PMA and Other Agencies
Each of these is a PDF with quick links to helpful resources available from each of these areas.
- A Guide to Engaging Matthew 25 Resources
- Matthew 25 Resources and Programs
- Theology, Formation & Evangelism Resources
- Creating Safe Ministries Resources
- Office of General Assembly and Presbyterian Historical Society
- Special Offerings and Mission Engagement & Support (as well as other agency links)
- Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries
- World Ministry
- Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministries
- PCUSA Store
