Looking for the “best” intergenerational ministry program? There are a variety of options from different publishers and denominations. The right choice depends entirely on your context and goals.
Below is a list of Building Faith’s preferred program options based on theology, availability, and pedagogy. The articles of our Curriculum Center can help you identify your needs, abilities and hopes. Looking for more support? Contact us via e-mail.
How to use this list
For each “top pick” program, we provide the name, publisher, publication date, program content, and a brief summary. We have done our best to include useful information such as:
- how the program works
- digital media options
- additional accompanying documents
- availability of age-matched study programs for children, youth or adults
We have organized the options in alphabetical order by name under three types of programs (inspired by this “5 Types of Sunday School Curriculum” article):
- based on the lectionary and scriptures
- relationship building
- thematic and seasonal
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.
Top Picks Based on Lectionary and Scripture (Updated 2025)
1. God’s world in community
This course is designed for short intergenerational training sessions. Lessons include a scripture reading, a group activity, and prayer. They can be used for in-person gatherings, online programs, or home training.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: GenOn Ministries2021 – 2023 (not affiliated with any specific church denomination)
- Content: The program is available for purchase by theme (“Advent”, “Lent”, “Creation Care”, etc.); there are 7 standalone sessions in each resource that are linked together by a common theme
2. Living the Word: Cross+Gen Education (Revised Common Lectionary Or Narrative lectionary)
Living the Word (RCL) is an intergenerational program that follows the Revised Common Lectionary and the Church Year. Lessons highlight gospel readings and church seasons or feast days, and incorporate additional lectionary readings into session activities. Living the Word (NL) is similar but follows this particular lectionary.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: Éditions Esprit et Vérité2023 – present, new publications each year (not affiliated with any specific church denomination, but the Theological Guidelines declare that “Our Spirit and truth: children resources are written from a Lutheran (ELCA) perspective”; see Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
- Content: The program is available for purchase by year or by season (fall, winter, spring); the price is based on the number of participants
3. Mini revolutions
This program includes lessons that draw on the lectionary scriptures, the liturgical year, and “micropractices.” Each lesson includes a Bible passage, discussion questions, an activity, coloring, micropractice, and prayer. This program is designed to be flexible enough for training elementary-aged children, intergenerational groups, or adaptation to youth groups.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: Illustrated Ministry2023 – present (not affiliated with any specific church denomination)
- Content: This is a monthly subscription digital product; individual months can be purchased separately
Top Picks for Relationship Building (Updated 2025)
1. Living together in faith (LIFT)
This program integrates meals, learning, worship and play to build relationships and community across generations. Sessions are self-contained and designed for 45-60 minute meetings. The program is available in units of 4 sessions or complete series of 12 sessions.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: GenOn Ministries2021 – 2022 (not affiliated with any specific church denomination)
- Content: The program is available for purchase in sets (3 units of 4 sessions each) or as individual units
2. LOGOS
This program is designed for weekly intergenerational gatherings aimed at deepening relationships with God and each other. Classes include Bible study, recreation, lunch and worship. Although this program can also be scripture-based, we have placed it on this list because its primary focus is on building intergenerational relationships.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: GenOn Ministries2016 – present (not affiliated with any specific church denomination)
- Content: The program is available for purchase in batches of 4 complete sessions; many additional resources are also available, some for purchase and others for free
Best Thematic and Seasonal Picks (Updated 2025)
1. All God’s Children: The Church Family Comes Together
This program is designed for intergenerational gatherings during special events, including liturgical seasons, summer, and retreats. Each resource includes 5 to 7 sessions. Lessons offer themed decorating suggestions, meal menus, Bible studies, activities and prayers.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: GenOn Ministries2013 – 2022 (not affiliated with a specific religious denomination)
- Content: The program is available for purchase by theme (“Advent”, “Lent”, “Summer”, etc.); prices, number of sessions and length of sessions vary
2. Current
This program consists of three different thematic series that include intergenerational lessons as well as age-specific lessons for preschool and elementary school children, middle and high school youth, and adults. The series available are: “Seeking Justice Together”, “Seeking God Together” and “Seeking Peace Together”. Each includes 12-13 flexible sessions that explore the theme. The program includes educational resources, participant pages and reading theater for each session.
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)
- Content: Each guide includes a full quarter of session plans with reproducible student pages, teaching resources, and reading theater for each session.
3. Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living
This program emphasizes the life of Jesus and integrating faith practices into daily life. It offers 27 units spread over three years with courses suitable for intergenerational sessions as well as young children, multi-age children’s groups, young people and adults. Intergenerational courses are part of the “Guide to the Congregation” in the school program. Each unit includes an intergenerational lesson that can be used in conjunction with the age-specific teaching materials or on its own. The Congregational Guide also offers ways to connect the program to worship and other areas of Church life.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: Growing Faith Resources2020 – 2024 (Presbyterian Church (United States))
- Content: The Congregational Guide aspect of this program is available for purchase by subject (“Lamentation”, “Doing Justice”, “Praying”, etc.)
4. Troublemaker saints and unconventional saints
This program accompanies the book “Troublemaker saints and unconventional saints» by Daneen Akers (Watchfire Media, 2019). It aims to help participants explore the “sacred troublemaker” and learn about people who have been “troublemakers” in the practice of love and justice.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: Watchfire Media2021 (First part), 2024 (Part two)
- Age group: intergenerational (classes are designed for children ages 8-14 with activity options for younger and older participants)
- Content: The program has two parts: Part I: “Long Live Good and Holy Troublemakers,” which includes 11 lessons about different people from the book and a concluding lesson, “What Kind of Holy Troublemaker Are You?” “, and Part II: “We are made of stories and stardust”, which includes an introductory lesson, “Let’s make some serious trouble: An invitation to serious trouble?” as well as 11 lessons about different people from the book plus a bonus concluding lesson, “What Kind of Storyteller Are You?” ” Lessons are designed for 30-40 minute sessions with options to extend the session.
5. Intergenerational learning programs and activities
This program provides intergenerational training on a variety of topics related to Christian faith, theology, ethics, liturgy, and Christian practices. Topics include “Christian Practices,” “The Creed,” “Jesus and the Disciple,” “Justice, Peace, Care for Creation,” “The Moral Life,” “Advent,” “Lent” and more. Each series includes 5 to 12 sessions.
Additional Information
- Publisher and date: Lifetime Faith Associates2003 for “Church Year”, revised editions of all other subjects except “Christian Practices” in 2021 – 2022, first edition of “Christian Practices” in 2021 – 2022 (the founder’s experience is Catholicbut sessions are created for use in any Christian church unless otherwise noted)
- Content: The program is available for free download
Editor’s note: This article was last published on July 26, 2023. It has been revised ized, updated and republished on August 18, 2025.
The image shown is of Skalekar1992 on Pixabay
