YOUTH MINISTRY 2016 CURRICULUM CATALOG. NEW SALE EVERY MONTH (details inside) wearesparkhouse.org

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1 YOUTH MINISTRY 2016 CURRICULUM CATALOG NEW SALE EVERY MONTH (details inside) wearesparkhouse.org

2 Dear Ministry Friends, You give your all for the students in your youth ministry to help them develop a passion for following Jesus that will last their whole lives. That means recruiting fantastic volunteers, planning meaningful events, and tracking down engaging curriculum. We know you ve got the first two down. And when it comes to the third? We ve got you covered. Sparkhouse offers a range of robust, faith-filled, Bible-centered curriculum options, each one designed to flex to your group s needs, get your students excited, and prepare your adult volunteers to lead. We invite you to call for a free sample of any of our curricula, or to visit wearesparkhouse.org to view them online. Your friends at sparkhouse, wearesparkhouse.org Call to receive a free sample pack or talk to one of our curriculum experts 2

3 Students love sparkhouse. Your leaders will too. We create groundbreaking Christian resources through imagination and collaboration. Our youth curricula take a unique and innovative approach, and all are centered on the Bible. We design leader resources that are simple to use and require minimal preparation so that you can focus on the students and their faith formation. Table of Contents Monthly Sales 5 Curriculum Overview 6-7 Colaborate Overview 8-11 Colaborate: Bible Study NEW! Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation NEW! Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation re:form Overview re:form re:form Ancestors re:form Traditions Echo the Story Overview Echo the Story Echo the Story

4 Why chooose sparkhouse? 4 Quick and ongoing engagement Teens learn more and laugh more with resources they can actually relate to. Creative approach Sparkhouse resources encourage participants to discuss, sketch, create, and share. It s anything but boring. Easy to teach With easy-to-use resources, leaders don t need a theology degree, just a passion for inspiring faith formation in youth. Real conversations for real teens Address the tough questions, encourage opinion sharing.

5 A NEW SALE EVERY MONTH! Save each month in 2016 with these great deals! MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST $15 OFF an order of $50 or more $20 OFF an order of $75 or more Buy 10 student learner resources, get a FREE Leader Guide FREE shipping on Bibles when you buy 10 or more (limited to new customers) SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Spend $75, get a FREE poster (for applicable product brands) $5 OFF all sparkhouse Bibles when you buy 5 or more Spend $100 and receive a FREE DVD (select curricula) FREE shipping on Bibles when you buy 10 or more (limited to new customers) Limit of one coupon use per month per church. Visit for each month s specific time frames and details. 5

6 Youth Comparision Chart Grades Grade 9 Grades 7 8 Grades 5 6 Video Leader Guide Learner Resources Youth Ministry Confirmation Bible Study 6 Applications Resource materials Grade levels

7 Curriculum Overview Grades 7-9 NEW! A brand-new Bible study curriculum that will engage students in compelling conversation about God and what it means to follow Jesus as they dig into the Bible. Grades 7-9 NEW! A brand new Methodist confirmation curriculum that invites students to bring their questions and curiosity about the Bible, church history, and Methodist doctrine. Grades 7-9 A Lutheran confirmation curriculum that encourages students to bring their questions and curiosity about the Bible, church history, and Lutheran theology. Grades 7-12 A hands-on curriculum series that empowers youth to explore their faith and ask the questions they have about the Bible, theology, Jesus, and the people of God. Grades 7-12 An innovative way for youth to encounter Scripture through storytelling creative, writing, drawing, and group dialogue. Call to receive a free sample wearesparkhouse.org pack or talk to one of our curriculum experts 7

8 Colaborate Challenging, Lifelong Faith Hands-on investigative learning that leads to deep engagement with the Bible, faith, and what it means to be a Christian. 8

9 Grades 7 9 Three options to help students discover the history and richness of the Bible, God, and our faith. Colaborate Students engage in compelling conversation about God and what it means to follow Jesus as they get into the Bible. Students discover the rich history of Methodist doctrine, traditions, and beliefs. Students are encouraged to bring their questions and curiousity about Lutheran doctrine and history.. 9

10 Colaborate How Colaborate Works co lab orate Framing the Problem An opening infographic in the Student Handbook sets up the tension for the lesson, explicitly unpacking and engaging students assumptions and past knowledge. After students work through the first page, they ll watch a short animated video that heightens the tension through hyperbole, stereotypes, and assumptions. It is intentionally and age-appropriately provocative to build interest and get students thinking about the topic. Teaching and Learning The center spread of the handbook equips students to work through the tension created on page one. It features an infographic that presents content in a memorable and visually powerful way, incorporating Bible passages, biblical exegesis, and historical context to help give students a stronger sense of the theology and doctrine behind each lesson. Students are invited to interact with the content by drawing, asking and answering questions, and sharing their ideas with a partner or the group. Project and Closing The final page of each lesson solidifies the concepts through two activities an individual writing activity and a more active group project. No pipe cleaners? No problem. Every project in Colaborate can be done with materials you have on hand paper, pencils, tape, scissors. You d be surprised how much stuff you can create with just these simple supplies. These activities give students opportunities to articulate what they ve discovered, share their thoughts with others, and engage with the broader church community. 10 Learn more! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/colaborate/

11 What people say about Colaborate Very appealing The handbook and leader guide are very appealing. I believe it is important for teens today to form their own opinions through study, prayer, and research. April, Youth Pastor Profound questions I couldn t get the kids to stop asking profound questions last night, our first night as a class. At the end, a seventh-grade boy, new to the church, asked, Is this going to be like this all the time? That was a lot of fun. Gail, Pastor Meaningful conversation I ve found in the three sessions that I ve done with confirmation students that the conversations are profound, deep, meaningful, and often consume so much of the time we don t get through all the content in the lessons. I m okay with that! Chad, Pastor Colaborate 8 DAYS Round-trip to the Moon Building the Titanic 3 YEARS Developing Colaborate 3 YEARS Building the Great Wall of China 200 YEARS 113 THEOLOGIANS, YOUTH PASTORS, AND CREATIVE GENIUSES INVOLVED 11

12 Colaborate: Bible Study Old Testament SCOPE AND SEQUENCE LESSON TITLE PROBLEM STATEMENT KEY VERSE CANON I don't know why the Bible is so special, why certain parts made the cut, and who had the right to decide. 2 Timothy 3:16 THE HEBREW BIBLE I don't know why the Hebrew Bible is part of the Christian Bible. Deuteronomy 6:6 GENESIS I don't know why Genesis matters when science has already disproven the stories. Genesis 1:27 EXODUS I don't understand why (or how) God plays favorites with Moses and the Israelites. Exodus 33:17 LAW I don't understand why we observe some parts of the law but not others. Deuteronomy 5:2 JUDGES I don't know what judges are at all. Judges 6:24 RUTH I don't know why Ruth would willingly become an outsider in a foreign land. Ruth 1:16 KINGS I don't know where kings fit into the story of Israel. 1 Samuel 8:7 BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY I don't get why God would free the people only to let them be captured again. Jeremiah 25:7 PROPHETS I don't understand what qualifies someone to be a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:22 PSALMS I don't know what purpose the psalms serve. Psalm 1:2 WISDOM I don't know what makes wisdom books more wise than the rest of the Bible. Proverbs 2:6 JOB I don't know why bad things happen to good people. Job 1:22 ESTHER I don't know why Esther's story matters when it doesn't mention God. Esther 4:14 THE RISE OF ROME What happened in the world between the Old Testament and New Testament? Ezra 1:3 New Testament LESSON TITLE PROBLEM STATEMENT KEY VERSE MAPS I don't know where all this Bible stuff happened. Acts 14:27 THE NEW TESTAMENT If the whole Bible is so important, I don't understand why it is split into two parts. John 12:50 JESUS I don't understand how Jesus could be fully human and fully divine. Philippians 2:5-7 MATTHEW I don t know why Matthew refers to the Old Testament all the time. Matthew 1:22-23 MARK I don t get why Mark skips stuff and ends before the story does. Mark 1:15 LUKE JOHN I'm not sure why Luke is so fixated on the Roman Empire and people on the fringes of society. I don t get why John is so different from the other Gospels and changes the order of events. Luke 2:49 John 14:10 ACTS I don t know if church today is supposed to look like the church in Acts. Acts 1:8 PAUL AND THE EARLY CHURCH I'm don't know why we hold Paul in such high esteem when he started out as an enemy of Christians. Acts 9:15 PAUL'S THEOLOGY I'm not sure why Paul's ideas are so important to Christians. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 ROMANS I don t know why Paul felt the need to cram so many diverse issues and topics into one letter. Romans 1: AND 2 CORINTHIANS I don t know why the church in Corinth seemed so messed up and confused. 2 Corinthians 5:17 GALATIANS I don t know what to do when Christians disagree. Galatians 1:6 LETTERS I don't know why so many letters are considered Holy Scripture. 1 Timothy 1:5 12 REVELATION I don t understand all the strange and scary images in the book of Revelation. Revelation 21:3-4

13 Challenging, Lifelong Faith A new Bible study curriculum that will have your students engaged in compelling conversation about God and what it means to follow Jesus as they dig into the Bible. Colaborate: Bible Study Student Handbook: Old Testament 15 lessons that trace the wild history of the people of God through all sorts of twists and turns in the Old Testament. $7.99 order 1 per student Leader Guides The Leader Guides makes it easy for any leader regardless of their theological training, or how much prep time they have to facilitate a class. We provide the Bible verses, the theological and historical background, and lots of support to guide leaders as they work through each lesson. Old Testament $29.99 order 1 per leader New Testament $29.99 order 1 per leader Student Handbook: New Testament 15 lessons that allow students to wrestle with the collection of writings that shape their faith and the faith of the Christian church. $7.99 order 1 per student DVDs These short videos use humor, exaggeration, and assumptions to tease out the problem statement of the lesson. They are intentionally a bit provocative (and ageappropriate!) to maximize the effects of problembased learning. Old Testament $29.99 order 1 per classroom New Testament $29.99 order 1 per classroom Colaborate: Bible Study Order Today! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/colaborate/biblestudy/ 13

14 Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation Methodist History & Doctrine SCOPE AND SEQUENCE LESSON TITLE PROBLEM STATEMENT KEY VERSE JOHN WESLEY: PART 1 I don t know much about John Wesley, and I m not sure why I should care. 1 Samuel 3:7 JOHN WESLEY: PART 2 I feel like faith is just something between God and me. 1 John 4:21 THE GROWTH OF I thought John Wesley started all of the Methodist churches in the United METHODISM States. Ecclesiastes 4:12 THE QUADRILATERAL I thought the Bible was supposed to be our guide in life, but it doesn t seem to address the problems I have. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 GRACE I thought grace was just another word for forgiveness. Philippians 2:13 PERFECTION God says I can be perfect, but I don t see that happening. Matthew 5:48 PRAYER I m not sure why or how to pray. 1 Samuel 2:1 FREE WILL AND THE OMINPRESENCE OF GOD If God is involved in everything, does that mean God controls everything? Psalm 139: 1-2 SALVATION I think salvation is just about going to heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 HOLY COMMUNION Body? Blood? I don t understand what s happening during communion. Luke 22:19-20 WORSHIP/SERVICE I don t know why I need to attend worship. Isaiah 25:1 THE GENERAL RULES There are already a bunch of rules in the Bible. I don t know why Wesley needed to create more. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH I didn t know there were other Methodists around the world. Philippians 1:6 BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION I don t remember my baptism maybe I should do it again. John 15:16 COVENANT MEMBERSHIP VOWS Of course I m going to get confirmed, now that I m done with class. 1 Timothy 4:12 14 Old Testament LESSON TITLE KEY VERSE CANON 2 Timothy 3:16 THE HEBREW BIBLE Deuteronomy 6:6 GENESIS Genesis 1:27 EXODUS Exodus 33:17 LAW Deuteronomy 5:2 JUDGES Judges 6:24 RUTH Ruth 1:16 KINGS 1 Samuel 8:7 BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY Jeremiah 25:7 PROPHETS Deuteronomy 18:22 PSALMS Psalm 1:2 WISDOM Proverbs 2:6 JOB Job 1:22 ESTHER Esther 4:14 THE RISE OF ROME Ezra 1:3 New Testament TITLE MAPS KEY VERSE Acts 14:27 THE NEW TESTAMENT John 12:50 JESUS MATTHEW Philippians 2:5 7 MARK Matthew 1:22 23 LUKE Mark 1:15 JOHN Luke 2:49 ACTS John 14:10 Acts 1:8 PAUL AND THE EARLY CHURCH Acts 9:15 PAUL S THEOLOGY 1 Thessalonians 1:8 ROMANS Romans 1: AND 2 CORINTHIANS 2 Corinthians 5:17 GALATIANS Galatians 1:6 LETTERS REVELATION 1 Timothy 1:5 Revelation 21:3 4

15 11 43 Engaging, Active Faith A new Methodist confirmation curriculum that invites students to bring their questions and curiosity about the Bible, church history, and what it means to affirm their baptism. Why choose Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation? For Methodists, by Methodists Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation was created by United Methodist pastors, theologians, and youth ministry practitioners who know the Bible, Methodist history and doctrine, and young people. Students are ready for more Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation provides a depth and breadth of lessons central to your students journey through confirmation. In addition to 15 Methodist-specific lessons, the curriculum includes 30 lessons on the Bible so that students can connect the rich history of Methodism with its biblical foundations. Flexibility to meet your needs Whether your confirmation program runs for a full year, six months, or a weekend, Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation gives you countless options for customizing the order of the lessons and emphasis of the content. Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation Why Worship? When we worship, we say strange things, read strange things, Don t Stop, Don t Drop, Don t Roll John Wesley was undeniably important to the Methodist movement, but ultimately, Methodism spread quickly because people heard the good news of Jesus and got excited about caring for the needs of the world. Sometimes we can look at the problems and struggles around us and feel totally overwhelmed by all there is to do. But the Methodist story shows us that we don t have to solve every problem in the world to make a difference. We can start with what s in front of us, knowing that every spark of faithful action leads to something more. Think about some ways your church is working to help people in your community. For each one, draw a candle on the page and discuss with a partner some ways you can seek out other opportunities John Wesley Barbara Heck helped is born. establish a Methodist society in New York City that eventually turned into the John Street Church, which is still there. 10 colaborate: The Growth of Methodism sparkhouse. All rights reserved. WESLEY'S CLASS SYSTEM: From his days in the Holy Club at Oxford to his efforts to gather people of faith into communities, john wesley was always looking for ways to help Christians encourage and support one another. we need each other to know how to follow God and to join hands as we work to bring light and life to the world around us. Without traditional churches, early Methodists needed a way to meet and help one another grow in their faith. Wesley developed a model that included classes, societies, and bands, each one meant to support people at different points in their faith development. Classes were for new Christians and people wanting to know more about faith. Societies were for Christians who were committed to Methodism. Bands were for people interested in seriously seeking holiness. While Wesley was constantly tinkering with the system, he did develop a kind of "rule book" for the groups to follow that centered on three big ideas: (1) Do no harm. (2) Do all the good you can. (3) Attend to the ordinances of God. If you wanted to start a group to encourage people in their faith, what three rules would you want the group to follow? Write your ideas on the torch. Talk as a class about how rules like these can help make a group stronger. What kind of rules might be less helpful or make a group weaker? THE SECOND GREAT AWAKENING: S The Second Great Awakening marked a time when American culture shifted toward religion in a big way. In the early days of the United States, religion was actually falling out of favor. But in the early nineteenth century, people started to get drawn in by groups like the Methodists who were more interested in inspiring personal piety than teaching theology. Methodism attracted people because it made room for ordinary people to get involved in the church. You didn't have to have years of training to be in leadership like you did in the Church of England. Instead, regular folks could serve the church in meaningful ways. Find out more about the early history of your church. When was it started? Have you always been in this location? Who was the first pastor? Are any of the founding families still around? Work as a group to find the answers. Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party Harry Hoosier, a former slave turned Methodist preacher, First American Conference of Preachers Formation of black preached the first Methodist Francis Asbury also came over from England to help congregations sermon on record by an African spread Methodism throughout the colonies. When American. He went on to travel Wesley writes to Francis John Wesley Asbury arrived in America, there were approximately with Francis Asbury and quickly Asbury decrying the serves as chaplain 1,160 Methodists being served by ten preachers. By the became one of the most popular genocide of Native to Georgia colony. time Asbury died, there were over 200,000 Methodists. Methodist preachers of the time. Americans Declaration of Independence Bill of Rights Thomas Coke named first Superintendent for America in The Christmas John Wesley the Methodist Church Conference the first dies. of the every-four-years Revolutionary general conferences that George Washington War the UMC still holds today inaugurated CIRCUIT RIDERS: EARLY TO MID-1800S By the mid-nineteenth century, Methodism was spreading into the south through preachers on horses, pastors who left one church to help another. The nineteenth century also marked the RAPID EXPANSION of a national church structure that helped Methodist churches feel connected to one another even when they were hundreds of miles apart. Circuit riders were evangelists who rode on horseback to bring the good news to settlements all over the growing United States. They were part missionary, part traveling preacher, part church pastor. Methodists still have something called the itinerant system, which means that pastors change churches every few years in order to help pastors serve where their gifts are most needed. How can the itinerant system help churches? What challenges could it create? Write your ideas on the lantern The African Melville Cox begins first Methodist overseas mission in Episcopal church Liberia. Jason Lee goes is formed in west to begin ministry Philadelphia. in Oregon. Turtle Fields becomes the first ordained Native American minister and sing strange things. And that s just the way it should be. Everything we encounter in our lives good and bad comes with us when we worship. Worship is where we get refueled to live lives of love, compassion, and service to God and others. All of that loving and serving pulls us back into worship with an eagerness to fill up on the kind of fuel only God can give. SPARKS AND MORE FLAMES: 1880 AND BEYOND! This era saw the greatest growth in missional outreach in the United States and overseas. Methodists built on their growth in the early part of the century and spread their efforts to embody the gospel of Jesus far and wide! Sacraments While communion and baptism don t happen during every worship service, they typically happen in the midst of one. They are two of the big reminders that we are part of God s family. One of the hallmarks of the Methodist movement in the post Civil War era was the outreach to people who were poor and marginalized. We talk a lot about helping people in need. The Methodists of this era actually did it, and they made a real difference in the United States and other parts of the world. Have you ever felt your opinion on a topic or issue was unpopular? What was the issue? Why do you hold your opinion? Write your thoughts on the flames. The Holy Spirit The presence of the Holy Spirit is the centerpiece of worship. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through Scripture, our prayers, the sacraments, and the other people in our churches to help us see God in new ways and go into the world ready to love and serve Full clergy rights are given to black preachers when Frank B. Smith is admitted to the New England Annual Conference WHO WE ARE Becoming Methodist Worship is where we re reminded of our common identity as God s people. Outside of church, we slip into the idea that we are defined by how smart we are or how cute we are or how cool our friends are. Worship pulls us back from all that noise and shows us who we really are: God s beloved children. What other groups do you belong to that have a common identity a team, a club, your family? Near the people, list three things you do or wear or talk about in one of these groups that you don t do anywhere else. Now add two things you do in church that you don t do anywhere else. Talk as a group about how these activities could help you find your identity in God. John Wesley had no intention of starting a new denomination or breaking away from the Church of England. We've gone through many changes to become The UMC you're part of today. But The United Methodist Church still bears the marks of its founder. In the space above, draw the Cross and Flame logo of The UMC (you can find one on a hymnal, a church bulletin, or just about anything else with your church's name on it). Now add some thoughts about what the cross and the flame tell you about the Methodist church. Choose one item on the timeline below and talk with a partner about why this would have been an unpopular or even dangerous decision at the time it happened. As a large group, talk about the risky decisions you'd like to see your church make. What are some ways your church or youth group is standing up for the poor and oppressed today? THAT WE ARE EQUIPPED TO SERVE Northern and southern The Deaconess movement begins. This The Uniting Convention brought the Methodists clash over slavery The African organization which continues today is three major streams of American during the General Conference, Methodist made up of women and men who want to be Methodism the northern church, the leading southern slave-holding Episcopal Zion part of the work of the church without southern church, and the Methodist states to organize what Church is formed being pastors. They focus on issues of Protestant church together in a eventually became the Methodist in New York. injustice and suffering around the world. merger that paved the way for the Episcopal Church, South. creation of The UMC in colaborate: The Growth of Methodism sparkhouse. All rights reserved. 42 colaborate: Worship/Service sparkhouse. All rights reserved Women in the Methodist Episcopal Church are given full voting rights in church matters and can now serve in leadership roles in the church THE PRESENCE OF GOD John Wesley believed that gathering together in communities of faith to pray, hear the Word of God, and take part in Holy Communion is a means of grace one of the ways God is present and active in our lives. Add to the globe a picture of something in your church a person, a part of the worship service, a symbol or place in the sanctuary that shows you God s presence. We also find the presence of God in the world around us. Add an image of a place or person or situation that helps you see God in your daily life. Worship is a launchpad, a fueling station, a food truck handing out protein shakes. Choose whatever metaphor you like, but keep this in mind: we worship to fill ourselves up so we can go back out the door to love and serve others. From the very beginning, Methodists have been about service it s in our theological DNA. That s why we have organizations like the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) working to relieve human suffering around the world and live out our identity as a missional church. Our acts of service are one of the ways we connect with God. Think about the last time you helped someone out, whether it was through a service project or volunteering or just a random act of kindness. What did that experience show you about the ways God works in the world? Write your ideas inside the globe. The Methodists merge with the evangelical United Brethren to form The United Methodist Church. The two groups had been operating side by side for decades. In worship service and : we discover Worship Styles Worship looks different in every church sometimes the same church even has different styles of worship at different times of the day or days of the week. There s no one way for us to pray or sing or Worship includes both readings from the praise God, but lots of us have a preference. Bible and, usually, a sermon based on the Bible. All of this Scripture reading shows us What elements of worship speak most to how God has worked in the past and gives us you? What makes up a good worship hope for how God will work in the future. service, in your opinion? Share It pulls us back into what God has been your ideas with a partner. saying to communities of faith for centuries: Love me, love each other, go love everyone else. When we love and serve others, we find ourselves more aware of just how much we need God as individuals and as a global community. God fills us with compassion so we can see the needs of other people. God helps us act selflessly so we can do what s best for others. And God helps us hold on to hope even when the needs around us seem overwhelming. Think about a situation going on in the world right now that seems unjust. If you could ask God to step in and change that situation, what would you say? Talk with a partner about ways you could be part of God s efforts to help and heal the people living with injustice. Together, come up with ways you hold on to hope in this situation, and write them near the hands. OUR GIFTS AND PASSIONS OUR NEED FOR GOD At this stage of your life, you might not have a clear idea of what you re passionate about or what you re good at. But the more you serve, the more you discover how God has wired you for service. Maybe you re great at organizing people, or you love to make food, or you are patient, or you have a knack for talking to kids. Those same gifts are needed in your faith community as well. These skills and passions are called spiritual gifts. When we bring these gifts with us to worship, we help our communities look more like the church of Jesus. Read 1 Corinthians 12: On the gift box, write down one gift you know you have. Talk with a partner about the ways you ve used that gift to help others. Then talk about ways that gift could be useful in your faith community. The Word of God Community One of the greatest gifts God has given us is other people. Can they be a pain in the neck sometimes? Yep. But our relationships help us learn what holiness looks like. Through relationships, we learn to be kinder, more patient, more selfless. That s why we worship with other people. Together as a community, we acknowledge all the ways we fail, and we help each other start over again. Read Matthew 18:20. Why is it helpful to practice our faith with other people? How do friends help us think differently about God? Talk about your ideas in groups of three. WHEN IS WORSHIP WORSHIP? If you and a bunch of friends get together and talk about God, is that worship? If you go to church but don t pay attention to anything, is that worship? For Methodists, worship reflects Wesley s call to watch over one another in love. The elements of worship are all designed to help us do just that. Look at the elements in the red circles. Circle the ones you can access on your own. Draw a square around those that require a community. Talk with a partner about what makes worship worship. colaborate: Worship/Service sparkhouse. All rights reserved. View the entire scope and sequence online! 15

16 Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation Student Handbook: Methodist History & Doctrine 15 lessons that take students through an overview of John Wesley s life, the growth of the Methodist movement, and some of the theology and practices which define The United Methodist Church. $7.99 order 1 per student Student Handbook: Old Testament 15 lessons that trace the wild history of the people of God through all sorts of twists and turns in the Old Testament. $7.99 order 1 per student Leader Guides The Leader Guides make it easy for any leader regardless of their theological training, or how much prep time they have to facilitate a class. We provide the Bible verses, the theological and historical background, and lots of support to guide leaders as they work through each lesson. Methodist History & Doctrine $29.99 order 1 per leader Old Testament $29.99 order 1 per leader New Testament $29.99 order 1 per leader Student Handbook: New Testament 15 lessons that allow students to wrestle with the collection of writings that shape their faith and the faith of the Christian church. $7.99 order 1 per student DVDs These short videos use humor, exaggeration, and assumptions to tease out the problem statement for each lesson. They are intentionally a bit provocative (and age-appropriate!) to maximize the effects of problem-based learning by piquing their interest. Methodist History & Doctrine $29.99 order 1 per classroom Old Testament $29.99 order 1 per classroom New Testament $29.99 order 1 per classroom 16

17 Colaborate Methodist Student Bible Designed for teenagers in grades 7-12, the Colaborate Methodist Student Bible helps youth examine the Bible through the lens of Methodist doctrine and history. As an essential component of the Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation curriculum, this NRSV Bible enriches the confirmation experience with highlighted key verses, interesting Methodist facts and quotes, and activities that help students to continue their journey each day. $24.99* order 1 per student *quantity discounts apply Capture your students enthusiasm! STUDENTS INTEREST IN CONFIRMATION 100% 50% Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation 0% WEEKS USING COLABORATE Order Today! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/colaborate/methodist/ 17

18 Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation Lutheran History & Catechism LESSON TITLE PROBLEM STATEMENT KEY VERSE MARTIN LUTHER If we follow Jesus, why do we call ourselves Lutherans? Ephesians 2 THE REFORMATION Lutheran Living Since the church is so divided, I don't understand how the Reformation could be a good thing. Galatians 3:28 THE REFORMERS I don't know how just one person like Martin Luther could totally change the church. 1 Corinthians 3:11 LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS I don't know why stuff outside the Bible is important to my faith. John 11:27 ADIAPHORA I don't know what we're reforming from/to/for. I thought the Reformation was done. How will I know when we're done reforming? 1 Corinthians 10:23 LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM I don't know why the Small Catechism matters. 1 Corinthians 15:3 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS I don't know why I should keep the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:2 APOSTLES' CREED, ARTICLE 1 I don't know if I believe in God. Psalm 8:9 APOSTLES' CREED, ARTICLE 2 I don't see how Jesus has anything to do with me. Luke 23:46 APOSTLES' CREED, ARTICLE 3 The Holy Spirit seems really ambiguous, undefined, and impersonal. (P.S. Creepy too.) Acts 2:2 THE LORD'S PRAYER The Lord's Prayer is just empty words to me. Matthew 6:9-13 HOLY BAPTISM I don t know why people should get baptized. Romans 6:3-4 HOLY COMMUNION I don t know what communion is for. Luke 22:19 CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS DAILY PRAYERS I don't understand why we need to confess if we're already forgiven. 1 John 1:8-9 I don't see the point in praying prayers that other people wrote; it seems forced, insincere, and awkward. SCOPE AND SEQUENCE 1 Thessalonians 5:17 LESSON TITLE PROBLEM STATEMENT KEY VERSE JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH I don't see why I can't take care of justification on my own. Romans 3:21-28 THE CROSS I don't understand why a symbol of execution is a central image of Christianity. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 LAW AND GOSPEL I don't know why the law still matters when we have the gospel. Matthew 22:34-40 SAINT AND SINNER I never feel like I'm a "good enough" Christian, and I don't know what to do about it. Romans 7:15-25 THE CHURCH I don't know why I have to go to church to be a Christian. Acts 2:41-47 FREEDOM OF A CHRISTIAN I thought freedom meant I was free of expectations and requirements. Galatians 5:1, 13 THE NEIGHBOR I don't need any neighbors, because I already have enough friends and family. Luke 10:25-37 GRACE I don't trust that grace is really a free gift. John 1:14-17 THE WORD I'm not sure if the words in the Bible are the same thing as The Word. John 1:1-5 BONDAGE OF THE WILL I'm not sure what or who is behind the choices I make. Luke 22:39-42 TWO KINGDOMS I thought Jesus only talked about one kingdom. Matthew 3:1-6 VOCATION I don't know what God is calling me to do with my life. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 WORSHIP I don't know how I'm supposed to feel during or after worship. Psalm 95:1-7 DEVIL I don't know what or where the devil is. Hebrews 2: DOUBT Sometimes I have doubts and I don't know if that's okay. John 20:29-31

19 Fearless Faith Formation A Lutheran confirmation curriculum that encourages students to bring their questions and curiosity about the Bible, church history, and Lutheran theology. Why choose Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation? For Lutherans, by Lutherans Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation was created by Lutheran pastors, theologians, and youth ministry practitioners who know the Bible, Lutheran doctrine, and young people. Hands-on projects create a strong connection to the content. Students will expand and deepen their understanding of concepts through projects that range from handbook-based questions and activities, to group art projects, to games and off-site explorations. Easy to Lead Not only is the accompanying Leader Guide clear and intuitive, the problem-based learning perspective means leaders don t have to be experts. Instead, they become mentors, facilitators, and co-learners. They are encouraged to share their own questions and discoveries as they guide students through the session. Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation View the entire scope and sequence online! 19

20 Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation Student Handbook: Lutheran History & Catechism 15 lessons that cover everything young Lutherans need to know, from why they re called Lutherans to how being confirmed makes a difference in their lives. $7.99 order 1 per student Student Handbook: Old Testament 15 lessons that trace the wild history of the people of God through all sorts of twists and turns in the Old Testament. $7.99 order 1 per student Grades 7 9 Student Handbook: Lutheran Living 15 lessons that dive into some of Martin Luther s theology and the church doctrines Lutherans have followed for centuries. $7.99 order 1 per student Student Handbook: New Testament 15 lessons that allow students to wrestle with the collection of writings that shape their faith and the faith of the Christian church. $7.99 order 1 per student Colaborate Lutheran Student Bible Designed for teenagers in grades 7-12, the Colaborate Lutheran Student Bible helps youth examine the Bible through the lens of Lutheran doctrine. As an essential component of the Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation curriculum, this NRSV Bible enriches the confirmation experience with highlighted key verses, interesting Lutheran facts and quotes, and activities that help students to continue their journey each day. $24.99* order 1 per student *quantity discounts apply 20

21 Leader Guides The accompanying Leader Guides are clear and intuitive, making it easy for any leader to understand and facilitate a lesson. Each Leader Guide includes Bible verses, an extensive theological and historical background, and practical support to guide each lesson, turning confirmation into a time of rich engagement with your students. Lutheran History & Catechism $29.99 order 1 per leader Lutheran Living $29.99 order 1 per leader Old Testament $29.99 order 1 per leader New Testament $29.99 order 1 per leader DVDs These short videos use humor, exaggeration, and assumptions to tease out the problem statement for each lesson. They are intentionally a bit provocative (and age-appropriate!) in order to maximize the effects of problem-based learning by piquing their interest. Lutheran History & Catechism $29.99 order 1 per classroom Lutheran Living $29.99 order 1 per classroom Old Testament $29.99 order 1 per classroom New Testament $29.99 order 1 per classroom Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation "We are to fear, love, and trust God above all things." Order Today! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/colaborate/lutheran/ 21

22 re:form re:form is a foundational faith formation series with the one-two punch of real laughs and real substance. 22

23 More laughs, More faith Grades 7 12 re:form Why choose re:form? Flexible and comprehensive curriculum Combine re:form, re:form Ancestors, and re:form Traditions in any order to design the curriculum to meet your specific youth ministry needs. Active learners excel re:form engages the brain and the body with exciting and captivating activities. The curriculum empowers youth to explore their faith from many different angles. Trusts young theologians Each curriculum option provides perspectives and raises questions that don t necessarily have one right answer. Youth are trusted to think critically about the Christian faith in each re:form session. Teachers become facilitators Leaders don t have to know all the answers. re:form encourages everyone including the teacher to get involved. The easy-touse Leader Guides make session preparation a snap. Created for churches that are looking for a flexible, customizable curriculum that can be easily configured to fit changing needs want to encourage active engagement of their teens in seeking out answers to their questions about faith View all three Scope & Sequences online! 23

24 re:form How re:form Works Encounter Every session begins by watching a short video. These entertaining and quick-witted animated videos grab everyone s attention and introduce the session questions. Engage During this phase, students will activate their brains and bodies as they dive into their Anti-Workbooks. These prompt them to build and experiment in ways that reinforce the concept, challenging them to wrestle with the session topic. Respond During the third phase, youth are encouraged to discuss and share what they believe, further cementing what they ve learned. S4 54 Creed Why did Jesus go to hell? Learn more! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/reform/

25 What people say about re:form A fresh perspective on youth ministry I think this curriculum will really help reform our paradigms, not only of the Bible and Christianity, but of life. I wish all youth, and actually a lot of adults, could experience re:form. Seth, Youth Pastor A curriculum students love You hit one out of the park with this curriculum! The Anti-Workbooks are amazing. My youth are still coming to church largely because of the videos that presented faith questions in thoughtful, fun, and creative ways. Wanda, Pastor Hands-on experience The videos tell the story of the Ancestors through humor, and the activities include exciting games and other hands-on experiences that bring the story to life. Victoria, Diocese Youth Associate re:form It s like GOD CAFFEINE for Youth Ministry 25

26 re:form Putting the POW! BACK IN POWERFUL YOUTH MINISTRY 26

27 Foundational Theology A hands-on curriculum that empowers youth to explore their faith and ask the questions they have about the Bible, theology, Jesus, and hot topics. re:form re:form Anti-Workbook The re:form Anti-Workbook provides individual and group activities to help youth engage the tough faith questions presented in the re:form session videos. This highly interactive workbook includes 192 pages of vivid illustrations and offers multiple types of engagement activities including drawing, interviews, photo reports, scrapbooking, Web searches, and an occasional thumb war. $19.99 order 1 per student re:form Leader Guide For each lesson, the re:form Leader Guide provides a theological background on the question presented in the video, offers suggestions on supporting youth as they tackle the tough questions, and includes direction for the individual and group activities in the re:form Anti- Workbook. The re:form Leader Guide includes 40 sessions of material. $39.99 order 1 per leader re:form DVD set With the re:form session videos, youth encounter a question from the historic Christian faith through creative, provocative humor, illustrations and animation. Each question is presented in simple terms to encourage exploration and discovery. The re:form DVD Set is a 2-disc set that includes 40 session videos. Each video is 5 7 minutes in length. $59.99 order 1 per classroom Order Today! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/reform/core/ 27

28 re:form Ancestors Unlikely people called by God to do amazing things 28

29 Youth Bible Study re:form Ancestors introduces youth to the heroes, villains, and everyday folks who God selected to do extraordinary things. Teens will discover that they might have more in common than they would have imagined with people like Moses and Deborah. re:form Ancestors Anti-Workbooks re:form Ancestors is a youth Bible study that explores the ancestors of our faith by exposing the real, unpolished, and unexpected personalities in the Bible. With re:form Ancestors, youth will discover the similarities between themselves and the many unlikely people selected by God to do extraordinary things. re:form Ancestors $8.99 each. order 1 per student Old Testament Anti-Workbook New Testament Anti-Workbook re:form Ancestors Leader Guides For each lesson, the re:form Ancestors Leader Guide provides a theological and biblical background, offers suggestions on supporting youth as they encounter their faith ancestors, and includes direction for the individual and group activities included in the Anti-Workbook. Each re:form Ancestors Leader Guide includes 15 sessions of material. $24.99 each. order 1 per leader Old Testament Leader Guide New Testament Leader Guide RE:FORM ANCESTORS DVDs With the re:form Ancestors DVD session videos, youth encounter an ancestor from the historic Christian faith through creative humor, illustrations, and animation. The re:form Ancestors DVDs includes 15 session videos. Each video is 5 7 minutes in length. $29.99 each. order 1 per classroom Old Testament DVD New Testament DVD Order Today! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/reform/ancestors/ 29

30 re:form Traditions Explore your Christian faith tradition MET HODIST LUT HERAN REFORMED 30

31 Denomination-specific Theology re:form Traditions prompts students to consider four questions specific to their faith in order to gain a deeper understanding of their tradition s history and why it matters today. re:form Traditions Anti-Workbooks The re:form Traditions Anti-Workbooks provide individual and group activities to help youth deeply explore their particular faith traditions. These highly interactive Anti-Workbooks include 24 pages of vivid illustrations and offer multiple types of engagement activities including drawing, interviews, photo reports, scrapbooking, and Web searches. re:form Traditions $4.49 each. order 1 per student Lutheran Anti-Workbook Methodist Anti-Workbook Reformed Anti-Workbook re:form Traditions Leader Guides For each lesson, the re:form Traditions Leader Guides provide a theological background on the question presented in the video, offer suggestions on supporting youth as they tackle the tough questions, and include direction for the individual and group activities included in the re:form Traditions Anti-Workbooks. $19.99 each. order 1 per leader Lutheran Leader Guide Methodist Leader Guide Reformed Leader Guide re:form Traditions DVDs With the re:form Traditions session video, youth encounter questions from their faith tradition through creative, provocative humor, illustrations and animation. Each question is presented in simple terms to encourage exploration and discovery. The re:form Traditions DVD is a single disc that includes 4 session videos. Each video is 7 9 minutes in length. $24.99 each. order 1 per classroom Lutheran DVD Methodist DVD Reformed DVD Order Today! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/reform/traditions/ 31

32 Echo the Story 32 Choose from two great options, a 12-week overview or 36-week deep dive, to Experience God s amazing story in the Bible through storytelling, creative reflection, and dialogue.

33 Deepen your youth ministry Why choose Echo the Story? Grades 7 12 Echo the Story Youth discover meaning and fresh insights from the biblical narrative through observation and dialogue. This approach sparks curiosity and allows connections and applications to surface naturally. To connect with different learning styles, each student chooses between the drawing and creative writing activities provided in the Sketch Journal. These activities inspire creativity, provide ownership, and prompt students to re-enter the story. Students see the Bible and God in new and different ways, connecting their story with God s story. Created for churches that want to respond to and embrace the varying learning styles of their teens are looking to guide an honest dialogue and collaborative interpretation of scripture with students 33

34 Echo the Story 34 How Echo the story Works Each session follows a six-part sequence for participants to encounter the Bible in a variety of ways: 1. Rewind The Story So Far video engages participants to briefly share something with a friend. Then, the video shows a fast-paced, animated review of the previous sessions stories. 2. Prepare Participants draw a version of the story symbol in their Sketch Journals. Then, the leader helps to create a reflective environment and encourages imaginative listening. 3. Imagine The leader reads the Bible story aloud. A carefully crafted narrative script of the story is provided in the Leader Guide. 4. Capture After a quiet moment of reflection, participants capture any aspects of the story that stood out to them, choosing between a writing or drawing activity in their Sketch Journals. 5. Remix The story is read aloud again. During this telling, participants complete an activity that helps them to retell part of the Bible story in their own creative way. 6. Connect The leader encourages participants to share their observations and insights from the story. A set of intentional questions is provided in the Leader Guide.

35 What people say about Echo the Story A fresh way to experience the Bible I was impressed with the thought and creativity behind Echo the Story. It engages my teenagers biblically and theologically in a unique approach that understands how they learn and how they long to encounter the God of scripture. Jeff, Youth Pastor Echo the Story Helps students connect with God s story The stories made me realize God is the author of my life and has a story that I m excited to discover. Michelle, Student "Deep thoughts and questions" I loved how the stories and questions made the students think beyond just the stories they have known since childhood... Almost every time we met, the discussion would lead to some really deep thoughts and questions. The challenge was great. Sharry, Group Leader THE STORY CREATIVE WRITING: six word story Instructions: On the next page is part of the CREATION story taken directly from the Bible. Read these verses two times slowly. Then come up with your own creative way to retell this part of the story using only six words. This could be a sentence or six separate words. Be creative! Genesis 1:26-31 Then God said, Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. THE STORY From the next few pages, choose a REMIX activity either drawing or creative writing and start REMIXing! DRAWING: Photo Journey Imagine you are able go back in time and watch this story happen. The only technology you have with you is an old Polaroid instant camera. 1. Use the photo frames provided to draw the six key moments you would choose to photograph. 2. At the bottom of each photo, write a caption. 3. Next to each photo, jot down a quick thought about why you would pick this moment to photograph Learn more! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/echothestory/

36 Echo the Story From creation to the formation of the church, students enter into each story imaginatively making observations, drawing, writing, and participating in group dialogue.

37 Experience the Bible in a new way Echo the Story 12 Sketch Journal The Echo the Story 12 Sketch Journal is a creative logbook of each participant s journey through the stories. The journal works in tandem with the Leader Guide and is used throughout each season. Echo the Story 12 $9.99 order 1 per student Echo the Story 12 Leader Guide The Echo the Story 12 Leader Guide is a map through each of the twelve sessions of Echo the Story 12. It details the process of each session and provides prompts and scripts that equip each leader to guide students through the 12-week study. $24.99 order 1 per leader Echo the Story 12 DVD The Echo the Story 12 DVD contains 12 videos that give students a fast-paced review of previous sessions stories. $39.99 order 1 per classroom ORDER TODAY! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/echothestory/ 37

38 Echo the Story From creation to Revelation, youth participants will find meaning and identity in the stories of the Bible.

39 Invite your youth into a larger story Echo the Story 36 Sketch Journals The Echo the Story 36 Sketch Journals are creative logbooks of each participant s journey through the stories. The journals work in tandem with the Leader Guides and are used throughout each season. Sessions 1-6 Sketch Journal Sessions 7-12 Sketch Journal Sessions Sketch Journal Sessions Sketch Journal Sessions Sketch Journal Sessions Sketch Journal Echo the Story 36 $6.99 each. order 1 per student Echo the Story 36 Leader Guides The Echo the Story 36 Leader Guides are a map through each of the 36 sessions of Echo the Story 36. They detail the process of each session and provide prompts and scripts that equip each leader to guide students through the 36-week study. Sessions 1-6 Leader Guide Sessions 7-12 Leader Guide Sessions Leader Guide Sessions Leader Guide Sessions Leader Guide Sessions Leader Guide $14.99 each. order 1 per leader Echo the Story 36 DVDs Each Echo the Story 36 DVD contains 6 videos that give students a fast-paced review of previous sessions stories. Sessions 1-6 DVD Sessions 7-12 DVD Sessions DVD Sessions DVD Sessions DVD Sessions DVD $22.99 each. order 1 per classroom ORDER TODAY! Visit wearesparkhouse.org/teens/echothestory/ 39

40 P.O. Box 1209 Minneapolis, MN sparkhouse totally gets youth. Thanks for making such great curriculum that is both on their level and challenging. They are totally into it. Sarah, St. Mark s UMC ITEM /16 SPARKING NEW LIFE IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES 8 great youth ministry options all teen approved! NEW SALE EVERY MONTH! See inside for details.