By Chuck Peters
Evaluating and selecting a kids ministry curriculum for your ministry can feel like a daunting task. For many of us, the process can seem overwhelming. The good news is that with a few guidelines and some key questions to ask, choosing a children’s ministry curriculum doesn’t have to be a headache. Here are 13 key considerations to help you choose the right curriculum for kids ministry in your church.
Brand Promises
Most every kids church curriculum will spell out the brand promises and distinctives on its webpage that explain how studies are approached and/or what the resource is designed to accomplish. This may include things like “a whole-Bible chronological approach,” “gospel-centered studies,” “book-by-book studies,” “instilling a biblical worldview,” or “helping kids find identity in Christ.” Look for brand promises that align best with the mission and purpose of your ministry and filter out those that don’t. If you don’t have a clear and compelling “why” for your ministry, check out this article:
https://kidsministry.lifeway.com/2021/08/16/clarify-your-why-5-reasons-to-revisit-your-mission-statement/
Teaching Content
What we teach our kids matters. A lot. James 3:1 warns, “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.” For most ministries, the kids ministry curriculum used becomes the backbone of the core teaching and culture of the ministry. As you research a resource, look on its webpage for the scope and sequence that outlines the study plan. This is typically accomplished over a three-year time period. It’s best to take your time to choose carefully and then commit to finishing out the full three-year scope and sequence before changing resources.
Reputation and Affiliation
Consider the reputation and affiliation of the publisher who creates the Christian kids curriculum you are evaluating. Some publishing companies are held in high regard for their commitment to creating trustworthy, biblically sound material, but not all have that reputation. It is worthwhile to consider who writes the resource and whether it aligns with the core doctrinal teachings of your church or denomination. You don’t have to use your own denominational publisher, but that is a consideration. Although Lifeway is the denominational publisher for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the doctrines it adheres to (as spelled out in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000) align well with many different denominations. Lifeway curriculum is regularly used by more than 50 different denominations, including non-denominational churches. Look for Facebook communities for the brands you are considering. Many users share honest feedback about the kids ministry teaching resources they use.
Session Flow and Format
Look for a kids ministry curriculum that matches the way you meet and how you format your program flow. You may start in a large group for opening games and teaching, then break into age-graded small groups for discussion and application, before returning to large group for dismissal. Or you may meet in a more traditional Sunday school format where kids go directly to age-level rooms. Make sure the resource you are considering matches the way your ministry functions.
Technology
Assess the technological requirements of the children’s ministry curriculum. Some resources utilize digital media and music files that require computer and A/V equipment, while others can be run entirely from a printed leader guide. Make sure your kids’ spaces have the ability to play and display teaching and worship content as it is delivered in the resource.
Age Groups
Consider how you group kids by age. Do you need broadly graded resources for preschool and elementary? Do you prefer younger and older preschool or younger and older elementary groupings? Or do you require narrowly age-graded material with unique lessons for each grade? Make sure the kids church curriculum you choose aligns with your preferred structure.
Art Style
Assess the art style based on your teaching preferences. Some kids ministry curricula use cartoon-style illustrations, while others use more realistic artwork to emphasize that the people of the Bible were real people. Your philosophy on art style is an important consideration.
Leader Prep
Consider the amount of preparation time required of leaders. Some curriculum for kids ministry is designed as low-prep or no-prep, while others expect leaders to read and prepare in advance. Choose a resource that matches the expectations you have for your volunteers.
Bible Translation
Bible translation can be an important factor when choosing a children’s ministry curriculum. Whether your church uses the King James Version (KJV) or prefers a more readable translation like the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), ensure the translation aligns with your church’s preference. Pay attention to what is used in leader guides, on-screen graphics, posters, and activity pages.
Modifiability
Very few leaders use any kids ministry curriculum exactly as it comes. Most leaders modify lessons to adjust timing, re-sequence activities, or add contextual application. While many resources are not designed to be modified, some intentionally support customization. Lifeway’s Hyfi, for example, is a digital-only resource designed to offer multiple options and allow leaders to rearrange content easily.
Delivery
Many kids ministry teaching resources offer print or digital delivery options. Print resources are often beautifully designed but require shipping, inventory availability, and physical distribution. Digital resources are instantly accessible, require no shipping, and can be printed locally or shared electronically with leaders.
Training and Support
An often overlooked consideration is whether the kids ministry curriculum includes onboarding and ongoing training. All Lifeway Kids and preschool resources offer free onboarding webinars and include short, weekly podcast episodes to reinforce weekly takeaways and Scripture verses, making preparation easier for leaders.
Cost
Although cost appears last on this list, it is often one of the most significant concerns. While stewardship matters, choosing the cheapest kids church curriculum is not always the wisest decision. Consider the overall value, including content quality, theological reliability, and included media or music. Many resources use tiered pricing based on church size or offer discounts for annual subscriptions or multiple age levels. Choose a resource that is attainable and sustainable for your ministry budget.
As the Director of NextGen Publishing for Lifeway, it is important for me to offer as much help as we can for leaders looking for the right resource for their church. I’d like to highlight two web pages that we have created to make researching our four curriculum brands, The Gospel Project, Bible Studies for Life, Explore the Bible, and Hyfi, as easy as possible. Teachkids.lifeway.com is a web page that lets you see, show, share, and compare our lines side by side with digital flipbooks of sample sessions, complete study plans, and underlying values and frameworks in one easy place. On that page, you will find a link to our brand-new Curriculum Compass assessment that asks you seven questions to help match your preferences to our resources.
One of the most important things I recommend when it comes to choosing curriculum is to be careful and prayerful. Seek God’s lead and His wisdom as you consider your options, and do your homework so you can have confidence in whatever resource you select.
Chuck Peters is Director of Lifeway NextGen, overseeing Lifeway Kids and Lifeway Student publishing. He is the co-author of Flip The Script: Disrupting Tradition for the Sake of the Next Generation, and host of the ETCH NextGen Ministry Podcast. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck and his wife Cris have served in Preschool, Kids, Student, and Groups Ministry for many years in New Jersey, California, Florida, and Tennessee. Before joining Lifeway, Chuck had a prolific career in television and video production. He is a 3-time Emmy Award Winning producer, director, writer, and on-screen host. Chuck is driven by a passion to equip and inspire ministry leaders.
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