Building Faith’s Top Picks for Adult Christian Training Program

How to use this list

For each “top pick” program, we list the name, publisher, publication date, age range, program content, and a brief summary. We have done our best to include useful information such as:

• how the program works
• number of lessons included
• digital media options
• additional support resources
• material available in Spanish and French
• availability of corresponding study programs for other age groups (children, youth, intergenerational)

We have organized the options alphabetically by name under two program types (based on this “5 Types of Sunday School Curriculum” article):

• lectionary based
• thematic

Additionally, we have focused this list on Christian training curriculum that churches can use with adults throughout the year. While some of the options below may work well in various settings and with different age groups, the list does not offer seasonal programs or resources designed specifically for Bible study, confirmation, home settings, or intergenerational training. For adult Bible study resources, check out our Best Choices for Adult Bible Studies Program. For adult catechesis and confirmation options, see our Best Choices for Catechesis and Confirmation Program. For intergenerational program resources, visit our Best Choices for Intergenerational Program. For seasonal resources, a good starting point is our Articles by subject page.

THE program name provides a link to the program website. THE publisher name links to their “About” page where you can learn more about their theological approach. If you follow the link for each church denominationyou can consult their statement of belief.

As always, when choosing a program for your context, consider theology, biblical interpretation, context, material, and representation of human identities and experiences to determine which program might be best suited for your context.

Best choice based on lectionary (updated April 2026)

Feasting on the Word

This program centers around the exploration of biblical stories through the lectionary cycle. The teaching resources for young adults and adults are part of a set of training programs for the whole Church so that children, youth and adults can engage with the same lectionary scriptures in age-appropriate ways. In 2024, the program began moving to an undated format, meaning that lessons from each lectionary year can be reused every three years. The full scope and sequence includes 52 lessons for each grade (linked here for Year B/C, Year C/AAnd Year A/B), and the majority of sessions focus on the Gospel readings with selected readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms interspersed. Lessons in the adult program include group dialogue, scripture reading, activities, and prayer, and lessons for young adults offer a series of conversation prompts designed to be flexible for a variety of contexts. You can access sample lessons on the program website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: WestminsterJohn Knox2022 – 2024 (Presbyterian Church (United States))
• Age group(s): young adult and adult
• Content: This program is available for purchase by age group for each season (fall, winter, spring, summer) or year-round in print or digital format; This is a leader’s guide, and the adult version of the leader’s guide includes resource sheets

Best Theme Picks (Updated April 2026)

1. Animate

This program aims to facilitate formative learning, conversation, critical and creative thinking, and practices on central dimensions of Christian faith and life. It is designed for adults of all ages. The program addresses three main themes: Faith, BibleAnd Practices (see links for each staff and sequence). Each topic contains 7 lessons featuring videos with church leaders and scholars as well as journals to spark group discussion. You can view sample documents on the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Sparkhouse2012 – 2014 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
• Age group(s): adults; we think this could also be beneficial for high school youth (grades 9-12)
• Content: This program is available for purchase by subject in print or digital format; this involves a facilitator guide, participant journal and DVD; courses can also be purchased individually

2. Current

This program provides opportunities for in-depth exploration of the fundamental dimensions of the Christian life. The program is tailored to four age groups – preschoolers, primary school children, youth and adults – as well as intergenerational groups so the entire community can participate in a common training program. It consists of 3 different series: “Seeking justice together” “Seek God together,” And “Seek peace together” (see links for each scope and sequence). Each series contains 13 lessons, and the adult lessons include prayer, spiritual practices, scripture reading, discussion, and activities. You can view sample lessons on the program website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: co-published by Brothers Press And MennoMedia2021 – 2023 (Church of the Brothers, Mennonite Church in the United StatesAnd Mennonite Church of Canada)
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: This program is available for purchase as a unit or series in digital format or as part of a “whole church bundle”; it consists of a leading guide

3. Dialogues enabled

This program offers three different course series with the goal of fostering generative group conversations on social justice topics. The series includes “The refugee crisis” “Sexuality,” And “Race“, and each series contains 7 lessons (see links for the scope and sequence of each topic). Lessons include preparatory readings, group discussions, personal stories, opportunities to practice dialogue techniques, short videos, and group activities. You can view sample lessons on the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Sparkhouse2018 – 2019 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: This program is available for purchase by thematic unit; this involves a facilitator’s guide, learner’s book and accompanying DVD

4. Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living

This program is designed to help adults discover key Christian practices for a life of faith. The adult program is part of a Church-wide training series so that children, youth, and adults can all simultaneously explore the same Christian practices in age-appropriate ways. Practices include “All Welcome,” “Pray,” “Do Justice,” “Worship God,” and many more. The full scope and sequence consists of 27 units spanning three years, and each unit involves 4-6 lessons on a specific practice, or approximately 38 lessons per year. The program for adults includes a reflection guide for personal or group use as well as an animation guide for groups. Lessons include scriptures that illuminate the practices, multiple activity options, and discussion questions about the practices and prayer. You can download a sample lesson from the program website and also view videos about the program on the program website. Growing Faith Resources YouTube Channel.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Growing Faith Resources2020 – 2024 (Presbyterian Church (United States))
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: The program is available for purchase per unit in print or digital format, and it consists of a leader’s guide and a participant’s reflection guide; Accompanying infographic posters are also available

5. Lesson plans suitable for youth and young adults

This program provides young adults with opportunities to engage in justice through scripture, group learning and discussion, individual and group activities, and prayer. It consists of two series of courses of 8 sessions, including one on “Racial justice” and another on “Climate justice.” The program offers age-specific classes for youth and young adults. You can see the full scope and sequence of each series and also access all lessons for free in the topic links.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Faith Formation Department of the Episcopal Church2021 (The Episcopal Church)
• Age group(s): young adults; corresponding courses available for middle and high school students
• Content: This program is available free of charge by age group in digital format; this involves lesson plans for leaders; additional resources and recommended readings for racial justice are also available

6. Living the path of love in community / The path of love / The way of love

This program allows adults to discover the seven practices of the Way of Love in small groups and to discern ways to integrate these practices into their lives. These are 9 courses for sessions planned to last 90 minutes with the possibility of sharing meals for an additional 30 minutes. Lessons include prayer, group discussions, reflection and writing activities, and worship. You can access the full program for free via these links: “The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life” (English), “The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life» (Spanish) and «The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life” (French).

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: The Episcopal Church2018, revised 2019
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: This course is available free of charge in digital format; it consists of a facilitator’s guide that includes printable resources for participants

7. Make sense

This program engages adults in reflection and conversation about major theological issues. Full scope and sequence consists of 4 different series on the themes of Scripture, the Christian faith, the cross and Martin Luther with 6-8 lessons in each series. Lessons include preparatory readings for participants, short videos, group discussions and activities, scripture study, and suggested activities for participants throughout the week. You can view a sample lesson on the program website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Augsburg Fortress2009 – 2017 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: This program is available for purchase in series in printed format; This consists of a leader’s guide, a participant’s booklet and an accompanying DVD

8. Pilgrim: a course for the Christian journey

This program provides both an introduction to the Christian faith and training to deepen Christian discipleship. It contains 2 steps, “Follow” and “Grow”, and both steps cover 4 topics with 6-7 lessons for each topic, totaling over 48 lessons. Topics include the baptismal covenant in “The Book of Common Prayer,” the Lord’s Prayer, creeds, the Bible, and much more. Lessons involve prayer, reading scriptures withdivine lessonthoughts to read and discuss, and ways to continue participating in the lesson during the week. You can view a sample lesson on the publisher’s website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Church Publication2016 (The Episcopal Church)
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: This program is available for purchase by subject in print format; This is a participant’s book for each topic and a leader’s guide

9. Transformative questions

This program is designed to help adults answer key questions about faith and life. It seeks to create a space to ask questions and to train and transform through this question. The program includes 10 lessons on different issues with an additional lesson on the Episcopal tradition, and topics covered include questioning faith, who Jesus was, how to read the Bible, what happens after death, and much more. Lessons include presentations from leaders and small group discussions with the option to extend a 60-minute session with a 30-minute meal together. You can access a sample with scope and sequence as well as the full program in digital format for free on the program website.

Additional Information

• Publisher and date: Forward movement2015 (The Episcopal Church)
• Age group(s): adults
• Content: This course is available free of charge in digital format; it is a facilitator’s guide and a participant’s guide; The participant’s guide and a companion book titled “Truthful Questions” are also available for purchase in print format

Adult Curriculum Table (April 2026)

Below is an interactive program table that you can use to find specific features and compare program options. You can search by age group, religious denomination and any other characteristic named in the table. If you type “Lutheran” in the search bar, for example, the table will list all the curricula from ELCA-affiliated publishers. Similarly, you can type “Spanish” to specify resources in the Spanish language. You can also follow the links on the program names to the publishers’ websites to learn more about each option.

If you prefer to have a broader view of the chart, it is also available on our Curriculum Center page.

Editor’s Note: This article was last published on August 23, 2023. It was revised, updated, and republished on April 29, 2026.

The image shown is of Susan Q Yin on Unsplash