Exclusive Preteen Curriculum

Here are 5 important qualities of preteens that make them unique. All of them are foundational to our curriculum:

1) Preteens are exploring their faith.

They question what they’ve always accepted as truth and see things from a different angle. They begin to question their faith, and maybe even experience some doubt on certain truths they have previously believed to be true.

They're beginning to think for themselves. This is actually a good thing. They need opportunities to hash out their questions and doubts.

2) Preteens are in transition from childhood to adolescence.

They're no longer kids and not quite teenagers. They're in a constant state of change and transition.

Preteens are undergoing a massive amount of changes in all areas of their lives: cognitively, physically, socially, spiritually, and emotionally.

They’re literally morphing into adolescence.

They think differently than younger kids. Their bodies are undergoing rapid growth (organs, bones, brain, etc.). Friends become a priority. They’re able to “own” for themselves a relationship with God.

3) Preteens want to "own" their relationship with Jesus.

Yes, it is possible for preteens to “own” their relationship with Jesus. They’re ready and willing!

They’re capable of:

Taking steps to nurture a relationship with God on their own.
Paying attention to what God is doing in and around them.
Developing habits like prayer, worship, Bible reading, etc.

Our job as ministry leaders is to create an environment for God to move in the lives of preteens. Our job is to help them "own" a real vibrant relationship with Jesus.

In the preteen years, your role is more like a coach rather than a teacher.

4) The role of a preteen ministry leader is similar to a coach rather than a teacher.

For many this is a shift in mindset, so let me explain...

A coach gives guidance, encouragement, and equips players to succeed in the game. But ultimately, the coach sits on the sidelines while the players participate.

A teacher instructs and communicates information to his/her students with the goal of them "getting it."

Most preteen ministry leaders think their role is to be a teacher, but that’s not the end goal.

I'm not saying to avoid teaching preteens. A coach does “teach” the players. You should teach preteens about God, the Bible, and Jesus.

But a coach goes one step further helping players put into action what he/she teaches. That’s the ultimate goal. Players will take what the coach taught, and then do it.

Usually, it’s not done right the first time. It takes a little more guidance from the coach and practice from the player.

The same is true in preteen ministry.

As you give students opportunities to pray, hear God’s voice, share their faith with friends, worship, etc... they probably won't get it all right.

But the more they do it, getting encouragement & guidance from leaders, the more natural it will become.

5) Preteens learn by doing.

Preteens learn by doing, not just listening to a message

Preteens love to play active games, participate in hands-on activities that are "cool," and need to be a part of the learning process from beginning to end.

Our preteen curriculum is loaded with fun games and hands-on activities appropriate for preteens. And of course, we provide options for those still meeting online.

Get one year of new and exclusive preteen ministry curriculum designed to help 4th-6th graders explore their faith and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.

With the exception of the first series, What's Next?, all the new preteen curriculum is currently in development. Our team is hard at work creating new series. Each new series becomes available to you one month in advance, other than Unmasked & Stuck in the Middle. See below for release schedule and recommended months of the year to use each series.

For a limited time, you also get a $200 credit to our preteen ministry store. Valid on individual series only (does not apply to bundles). So, not only do you get 1 year of our new preteen curriculum, but you also get an additional $200 worth of preteen lessons!

These exclusive series are not sold individually or in a bundle. They're only available as a one-year unit.

In order to accommodate COVID-19, all our preteen curriculum provides options to do the lessons (teaching, games, activities, etc.) online or in-person. If you're meeting in-person, all the games and activities are compliant with social distancing guidelines.

Below is an overview of the release date and recommended month of the year to teach each series.

SEPTEMBER 2020 (NOW AVAILABLE)

What's Next? (NOW AVAILABLE)
This 4-week series encourages preteens as they face the challenges of a “new normal” and trust God with their future. This series helps preteens answer these questions: Where do we go from here? What do I do now? Preteens will continue to adjust to a “New Normal” in their homes, churches, schools, and world during the next few months and beyond. This is an opportunity to help them embrace God’s hope and grace as they face the future.

OCTOBER 2020 (NOW AVAILABLE)
Unmasked: This 4-week series helps preteens discover their true identity as they remove the “mask” that hides their true selves.

NOVEMBER 2020 (Releases October 7)
Stuck in the Middle: This 4-week series helps preteens navigate the many changes experienced as they transition from childhood to adolescence.

Every Day Thanks: This 1-week Thanksgiving lesson helps preteens learn to practice gratitude at Thanksgiving and beyond.

DECEMBER 2020 (Releases November 1)
All I Want for Christmas: This 4-week series reminds preteens to focus on the gifts of Jesus, family, friends, and faith during the Christmas season.

JANUARY 2021 (Releases December 1)
Daniel: Unshakeable Faith: This 5-week series explores the life of Daniel and the unshakeable faith he displayed through extraordinary trials.

FEBRUARY 2021 (Releases January 1)
Own It: This 4-week series helps preteens to take ownership of their relationship with Jesus.

MARCH 2021 (Releases February 1)
Friendships: This 4-week series helps students navigate the world of friendships.

APRIL 2021 (Releases March 1)
Book of John: This 4-week series that takes an in-depth look at the ministry, miracles, life and death of Jesus.

MAY 2021 (Releases April 1)
Book of Philippians: This 5-week series on the book of Philippians helps students find joy no matter what circumstances they face.

JUNE AND JULY 2021 (Releases May 1)
Summer in the Psalms - This 8-week summer series dives into the Book of Psalms.

AUGUST 2021 (Releases July 1)
Counter Culture: This 5-week series shows preteens how Jesus teaches a better way of life that often seems opposite to our culture.

Get one year of new preteen ministry curriculum designed to help 4th-6th graders explore their faith and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.

In order to accommodate COVID-19, all our preteen curriculum provides options to do the lessons (teaching, games, activities, etc.) online or in-person. If you're meeting in-person, all the games and activities are compliant with social distancing guidelines.

The series are not sold individually or in a bundle. They're only available as a one-year unit.

EVERYTHING IS DOWNLOADABLE. After purchase, you'll immediately be directed to a download page AND get an email that includes a link to download all the resources. The bundle is only available as a downloadable product.

LESSONS COME IN PDF & WORD format so you can edit as needed and share with volunteers.

EACH LESSON INCLUDES:

A fun opening game
Creative teaching
Engaging small group activities and discussion questions.

Although the lessons aren't meant to be read word for word (we encourage you to make it your own), included is a detailed script for leaders to follow. In order to accommodate COVID-19, all our preteen curriculum provides options to do the lessons (teaching, games, activities, etc.) online or in-person. If you're meeting in-person, all the games and activities are compliant with social distance guidelines.

PRETEEN TARGETED. Our curriculum is preteen targeted. Our team knows preteens and what makes them tick. Every single lesson is written with the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental development of 4th-6th graders in mind.

SERIES ARTWORK includes cover image for promotional use and blank text image for making your own presentation slides.

ALL OUR RESOURCES ARE WRITTEN BY PRETEEN LEADERS like you who have a heart to see God move in the lives of students.

OUR STUFF IS TOP NOTCH. We don't just throw together an outline and sell it to you. Our team, who has been creating 4th-6th grade curriculum for over 12 years, puts a lot of time and effort creating quality lessons that are jam-packed with more than enough teaching material.

In-Person or Online Preteen Ministry
Use our curriculum when doing online preteen ministry or in person. Each series is flexible enough for either option.

Big or Small Preteen Ministry
We write our curriculum for both big and small preteen ministries. Whatever the size of your group, you can edit as needed to fit the needs of your preteen ministry.

All Denominations (and Non-Denominations)
All our lessons are theologically broad enough for all church denominations (and non-denominations). We stay central to the core truths of Christianity and don't focus on denominational differences.

Sunday School or Small Groups
Does your church have an active Sunday School program? Our curriculum is a good fit for you. If your group has more than 12 preteens, then use our curriculum as a tool to disciple them in a small group setting.

My name is Nick Diliberto. That's my wife, Jena, and I eating pizza at our favorite spot - Pizza Port.

I launched my first preteen ministry 22 years ago - in 1998. I was a young 22-year-old Children's Pastor overseeing 1st-6th grade at my church.

Our church was growing fast, and so was the Children's Ministry. We had 40-50 1st-6th graders in each one of our three weekend services crammed together in a small classroom. It was a tiny classroom, and we were bursting at the seams.

Furthermore, I noticed right away that the existing curriculum and programming was more appealing to the younger kids. The preteens had checked out. They needed something different for them.

The solution was to start a preteen ministry just for 4th-6th graders. I knew this would be an awesome opportunity to reach the older kids.

So, I jumped right in and shifted most of my time and energy on building the preteen ministry. We called it "Club 456."

The more time I spent with preteens, the more I realized how unique and awesome they were. They were loud. They had LOTS of energy. They were impressionable and open to God. They were great!

Over the years that preteen ministry became well known in our community. We reached a lot of students who would not typically go to church. We developed an amazing team of committed volunteers. God moved in both big and small ways. I was so grateful to be a part of what God was doing in the lives of 4th-6th graders.

I led that preteen ministry for nearly 10 years, then moved on to work at another church. Looking back, those 10 years were some of the best of my life.

Even now, over 20 years later, I experience a deep sense of joy and gratitude typing these words, going back in my head to the very beginning. Seeing their faces, and remembering their hearts for God. Those preteens and volunteers will forever be a part of me.

I launched this website way back in 2008 to provide creative curriculum and resources for preteen ministries around the world.

At that time, there was a huge need for curriculum and resources for 4th-6th grade ministry.

I felt like most of the curriculum out there was either too young or old for preteens.

So, I recruited an amazing team and decided to publish our own curriculum. And boy, did things take off!

After launching the website, I continued to work full-time as a Children’s & Preteen Pastor for about 5 more years. Then, in June of 2012, I jumped into doing it full-time. In 2014 I launched Ministry to Youth, a company that saves youth and children's ministry leaders time and money by creating bundles of lessons and games. We eventually incorporated our preteen curriculum under the Ministry to Youth brand.

This website is WAY bigger than me. We’ve got a diverse team of writers, editors, graphic designer, etc. that keep everything running smoothly.

Our goal is to help 4th-6th graders explore their faith and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our curriculum!

Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Sorry, the training videos are no longer available. While you're here, check out our new preteen curriculum.

ONE YEAR OF EXCLUSIVE PRETEEN CURRICULUM

Get one year of new and exclusive preteen ministry curriculum designed to help 4th-6th graders explore their faith and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.

Series are not sold individually or in a bundle, and are only available as a one-year unit.

WHAT MAKES OUR PRETEEN CURRICULUM UNIQUE?

SCOPE & SEQUENCE

THE NUTS & BOLTS

WHO IS OUR CURRICULUM WRITTEN FOR?

SAMPLE LESSON

ABOUT US