Editor’s Pick: Resources For Next Generation Ministry

Discipling our children is an especially urgent matter because our character is substantially formed during our early years. Sanctification is a lifelong process, but kids who experience meaningful community in a Scripture-saturated ministry get a head start. That’s why, historically, the church has used catechisms to teach people about the faith when they’re young.

Some children’s and youth ministry leaders have a strong sense of calling, years of experience, and a deep understanding of child development theories. More often than not, however, especially in smaller congregations, the people leading the next-generation ministries love kids and are willing workers but don’t have a lot of training in theology or psychology. Christian parents want their kids to grow up with a robust faith, but may need a little help to create a theologically saturated home. Thankfully, helpful resources come out every year that take doctrine seriously and have a vision for ministry to children that goes well beyond keeping them safely entertained on Sunday mornings.

I’ve highlighted two recent books that help parents and ministry leaders learn to disciple their kids more effectively; these are foundational, “how-to” resources for adults serving the next generation. The last three recommendations are discipleship resources written for kids that can be distributed by churches for specific needs, used as part of a curriculum, or leveraged by parents for the spiritual formation of their children.

1. Sam Luce and Hunter Williams, How to Teach Kids Theology: Deep Truths for Growing Faith (New Growth Press, 2025) (TGC Store | Amazon)

Instead of telling parents and teachers what to say about theological topics, this book teaches readers how to think about what they say when teaching kids theology. How to Teach Kids Theology isn’t a curriculum, but it’s a foundational text for equipping staff and volunteers in next-generation ministries.

For example, one of the biggest challenges in teaching theological truths at different stages of development is figuring out the difference between simplification and distillation. Simplification tends to water down theology in a well-meant attempt to introduce big ideas by removing substance that’s too complex. In contrast, distillation removes everything but the essentials. Simplification skips hard stories, like the death of the firstborn in Exodus 11–13. Distillation tells the story in an age-appropriate way but highlights God’s mercy in saving his chosen people.

This book encourages parents and teachers to learn Scripture’s big story and gain theological fluency. It also shows how to evaluate curricula, recognize the main points of a lesson, and teach any Bible story from the text.

2. Matt Markins, Mike Handler, and Sam Luce, Forming Faith: Discipling the Next Generation in a Post-Christian Culture (Moody, 2024) (TGC Store | Amazon)

This book encourages “slow, consistent application of truth over decades” by parents and children’s workers. It shows how to help staff and volunteers build relationships with children and youth so young people can learn biblical truth and learn to follow Jesus. In a culture that often prioritizes the glamour of Disneyfied entertainment, the authors commend a Mister Rogers approach to ministering to young people so they feel they belong, learn what to believe, and discover how to become a faithful Christian.

This isn’t just a book on running an ideal kids’ ministry at church. The authors offer concrete suggestions for uniting home and church as partners in discipling children. They recommend resources like The New City Catechism. They also encourage parents to say no to some activities, prioritizing engagement in the local church over other opportunities. The book is written primarily for ministry leaders, but it’d benefit parents too.

3. Champ Thornton, 10 Questions About Salvation: 30 Devotions for Kids, Teens, and Families (Crossway, 2025) (TGC Store | Amazon) and Beth Broom, 10 Questions About Pain and Suffering: 30 Devotions for Kids, Teens, and Families (Crossway, 2025) (TGC Store | Amazon)

I’m excited about the first two installments of Crossway’s 10 Questions series. The reading level is suitable for a tween to engage independently, but the content would benefit the whole family.

Each book is written as a 30-day devotional, with three days exploring each of the 10 questions. The books define key terms for understanding doctrines, with a glossary in the back for quick reference. The questions and answers are also summarized in the back of the book, which will make this a useful tool when specific questions arise in life, or just to reinforce the ideas over time.

These short devotionals would be a great way to jump-start family worship or encourage independent discipleship. But parents won’t want to skip the opportunity to learn these theological truths along with their children.

4. Cory Brock, Track: A Student’s Guide to Scripture (Christian Focus, 2025) (TGC Store | Amazon) and Colin J. Fast, Track: A Student’s Guide to Reading and Applying the Bible (Christian Focus, 2025) (TGC Store | Amazon)

Since 2020, Christian Focus has published 24 books in the Track series. These short books—under 100 pages—are accessible for students. The books are grouped into three categories: doctrine, Christian life, and culture.

The three tracks make up a dense web of interconnections. For example, A Student’s Guide to Scripture is in the doctrine track and focuses on authority and trust, teaching what we should believe about the Bible. In the Christian life track, A Student’s Guide to Reading and Applying the Bible covers some of the same ideas but surveys the overall content and genres, while teaching students how to read Scripture for deeper understanding.

The series includes topics like anxiety, the church, body image, gaming, and justification. The books are useful for distributing to students, for group study, or for independent discipleship.

5. Paul David Tripp, 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of the Christian Faith That Will Change Your Life (Crossway, 2025) (TGC Store | Amazon)

Tripp’s book isn’t a complete systematic theology, but it does introduce 12 key theological topics in clear and accessible language. Young Christians can learn about Scripture, God’s holiness, creation, and other key doctrines of the faith. In each section, he offers a summary statement of the belief (paraphrased from the Westminster Confession of Faith), grounds it in key scriptural passages, and then explains why it matters. Thus, when considering God’s sovereignty, Tripp counsels readers in overcoming anxiety and fear based on understanding God’s nature and acts.

The format of this book makes it a good choice for teens to use on their own as a devotional resource. Students should be encouraged to use the reflection questions to internalize the truth. The adults in their lives can use the provided questions to draw the teens into discussion.