Children & Youth Formation

Studying James and 1 & 2 Peter

The diocesan Christian Formation Committee has put together Bible study recommendations for James and 1 & 2 Peter for Adult groups based on their ease-of-use for Formation leaders (i.e. low prep and planning to high prep and planning). These recommended studies can be used during Sunday school, mid-week formation, or anytime a church gathers to study the Bible together. For bilingual or Spanish-speaking congregations a few resources “En Español” are available in the low and medium-prep sections.

Low Prep Resources:

The Letter of James study written by Rev. Julie Hoplamazian includes a 1-page reflection on a passage from James and a set of questions for each week. The reflections are short enough that you can read the Bible passage and reflection and have time to discuss the questions all in one hour making this a great low-prep Bible study choice for your congregation. The Bible project videos on each of the three books of the Bible we are studying in 2025 are a great concise overview of each book. You could use one video a week along with the provided discussion questions for a 3-week low prep study for adults or youth in your congregation:

• The Letter of James study by Rev. Julie Hoplamazian

• Bible Project Video: James
  En Español

• Bible Project Video: 1 Peter
  En Español

• Bible Project Video: 2 Pete
  En Español

Medium Prep Resources:  

The NT Wright and Elsa Tamez books are great for groups and facilitators who are willing to do a little more prep work before each study session. The NT Wright books each include 9 study sessions although the 1 & 2 Peter book also includes one chapter on Jude. There are suggestions for group use and for group leaders included in each book. Elsa Tamez’s book includes discussion questions at the end of the book. The Bible project guides contain a lot of resources that could add greatly to a study of James and 1 and 2 Peter and stretch over the course of a few weeks but require a facilitator to go through the material ahead of time and put a study together.

• James by NT Wright

• 1 & 2 Peter and Jude by NT Wright

• The Scandalous Message of James by Elsa Tamez
  En Español

• Bible Project Guides: James

• Bible Project Guides: 1 Peter

• Bible Project Guides: 2 Peter

High Prep Resources:

The Rev. Jamie George has put together an amazing guide for individuals and groups that want to do a deep-dive into James. This resource includes daily reading and reflection and outlines for group leaders for a once a week discussion time. It would be a great resource for seasoned Bible study groups or groups that want to start a daily Bible study practice. For group facilitators that want to put together their own study on James or 1 & 2 Peter we have also included a few recommended commentaries to use to research and plan a class on one or all of these books.

• The Evidence of Faithfulness: The Epistle of James by Rev. Jamie George
• James (New Testament Guides)
• 1 Peter (New Testament Guides)
• James: An Introduction and Study Guide
• 1 Peter: An Introduction and Study Guide
• The Letters of Jude and Second Peter: An Introduction and Study Guide

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Intergenerational Formation

• Creative Ways to be Intergenerational Webinar
• Prayer Partners: Building Intentional, Intergenerational CommunityBuilding Faith’s Top Picks for Intergenerational CurriculumIntergen.org: Free intergenerational lessons that follow the lectionary
• All Together Now - interactive Sunday school lessons filled with creative ideas for mixed-age classes combined in the same room.
  
• Practical Steps to Increasing Intergenerationality  
• ‍Time to Rekindle Relationships: 9 Fall Ideas for Intergenerational Ministry
• ‍Illustrated Ministry Mini Revolutions
• ‍GenOn Ministries LIFT  
• ‍Godly Play
• All God’s Children: The Church Family Gathers: Various curriculums meant for all-ages gatherings during the seasons of Advent, Lent and Summer.
• God’s World in Community: Short, easy-to-do sessions consist of reading a Scripture passage, doing an activity based on the passage, and praying together.
• Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints Curriculum: designed for ages 8-12, would also work for an all-ages study. The curriculum asks questions such as: What is holy and good trouble? What is not? What lessons can we learn from those who have gone before on this path? How do we keep our joy and inner peace while working for a world where all can flourish? What might my contribution be?

Study Resources for Children

• Episcopal Children's Curriculum - thematic Sunday school curriculum tied to the seasons of the church year and developed by the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary.
• Godly Play - help children (early, middle, and late childhood ages) explore faith through story, gain religious language, and enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play.
• Hearts Alive Children's Church - lectionary-based curriculum to deepen a child’s personal relationship with Jesus by helping them to know him through his Word, as well as love and serve him through worship and a shared communion with one another.
• Illustrated Ministry - accessible faith-based resources for the church and home, designed to foster authentic faith engagement through creative activities and intergenerational focus.Sparkhouse - resources to engage and build faith in your community with innovative Bibles, curricula, and workshops from birth to adult.
• Lesson Plans that Work - Lesson plans written by experienced church teachers using practical approaches to respond to the needs of volunteer teachers. Designed to follow the Revised Common Lectionary and published by The Episcopal Church.
• Workshop Rotation Model This curriculum uses the approach of telling one major Bible story over several weeks through different mediums or “workshops” such as art, cooking, drama, games, etc.
  

Bible Studies for Teens

• Faith Questions: A curriculum for youth that explores questions asked by real youth about important faith topics.
• Building Faith’s Top Picks for Youth Ministry Curriculum: This list of Building Faith’s favorite curriculum options are based on theology, availability, and pedagogy. The articles in their Curriculum Center can help you identify your needs, capabilities, and hopes.
• Lesson Plans that Work: These lessons are thematic and timely as they lift up some of the important topics of the day such as racial justice and healing, creation care, and equality. They are published by The Episcopal Church.
• Journey to Adulthood: Creative, developmentally appropriate lessons centered on inclusive, relational ministry revised and updated in 2021.
• ‍Echo the Story: This is a visual oriented curriculum that engages a variety of learning styles through video, sketching, reenacting and conversation.  ‍
• Faith Lens: A weekly Bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life. ‍
• Fathom: This is a Bible study for teens that covers the Old and New Testaments in 18 studies. Each study includes four sessions.

World Missions Children's Curriculum

To engage children in the work our diocese does around the world, the diocesan World Missions Department wrote several 4-lesson studies for children, highlighting children from Kurdistan, Uganda, Guatemala, Navajoland, and Mexico. Each lesson includes a song, a Bible story, information about the country, and activities. These units can be used for Sunday school, children’s chapel, Vacation Bible School, or a family study at-home.

Click here to save a copy of the World Missions Children's Curriculum.

Other Online Resources

• ‍Building Faith: a ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary, aimed at equipping and inspiring churches and individuals for the ministry of Christian education and faith formation.
• Dandelion Marketplace: an online marketplace with a variety of curriculums and materials for children, youth, and family formation.
• PRC Book Review Blog: a website that reviews several of the latest Christian formation books. You can subscribe to Just One More Page by emailing info@prcli.org to get thereviews sent to you each month.