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:
Current Webinars and Training
- Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living (Youth Component) Webinar
This is a focused session on the Youth component of Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living. We have partnered with Presbyterian Youth Workers Association and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation for you to have an opportunity to learn how this was designed with youth in mind and how real and relevant it is for today’s youth. Enjoy a walk-through of the youth component from one of the editors and hear from writers as well.
Watch the Webinar Recording | Learn more about Follow Me
- Faith at Home Lent Practices Webinar with Traci Smith
In this webinar author and pastor Traci Smith talks about simple practices for at-home faith formation during Lent or anytime. Traci’s newest book is Faithful Families for Lent, Easter and Resurrection. There are also 6 short videos she created for use by your households which highlight the faith practices of storytelling, hospitality, service, prayer and retreat. You can learn more about these practices in our Faith Practices Toolkit.
Watch the Webinar recording | Faith Practices Video Playlist | Faith Practices Toolkit
- Opening Doors to Discipleship Webinar
Opening Doors to Discipleship (ODTD) began as an ecumenical partnership between five Reformed denominations that developed a training and learning website for church leaders. The Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) recognized that contemporary Christian Education is at its best when we listen to diverse voices, collaborate with one another, and share our collective wisdom. Therefore, the new ODTD site was designed by a group of writers who represent these values and was created in partnership with the Office of Christian Formation. Learn more about the content of the website around the three doors of Leadership, Reformed Theology, and Educational Practices and ways to engage it below.
Watch Webinar | ODTD Quicksheet | ODTD Website
Leadership Resources
- Post Pandemic Pondering and Planning – A Resource for Faith Re-Formation
- What Next?
- Re-Formation Resource Roadmap
- Trauma-Informed Ministry
- Scattered Church
Intergenerational Ministry Resources
There is a wide range of Intergenerational Formation Resources including Faith Practices, Mission and Retreat at this link.
Intergenerational Formation
Toolkits
- Faith Practices Toolkit
- Intergenerational Mission Toolkit
- Faith and Disability Inclusion Toolkit
- Children and Anti-Racism Toolkit
- Bending the Moral Arc | Courageous Conversations| Watch the Video
Camp and Retreat Resources
- 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
- 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.
- When did we see you? – Presbyterian Youth and Triennium Worship, Recreation and Group Study 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
- NEW – 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
- Returning to “Normal” Post Pandemic: Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Grief with Students
- 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
- Bending the Moral Arc Manual – How to have courageous conversations and to take steps towards dismantling structural racism manual.
- Courageous Conversations Resources – This is a companion to Bending the Moral Arc Manual.
- 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
- Supporting Older Adults During COVID-19
- Grief: The importance and challenging blessing of mourning
Worship and Music Resources
- 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)
- 2023 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.
- 2022-2023 Christian Education and Ministry Resources Catalog PCUSA Store (Curriculum)
- POINT Resource Library – 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 Mission
- Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministries
