Written by: Justin, Next Gen Director
It’s Sunday afternoon. You’ve just heard the sermon, sang in worship, picked up your kids, and caught up with a few friends. Now you’re in the car driving home, or gathering around the table for lunch. Maybe it’s a Sunday night pick-up after Youth Group. These quiet transition moments are fantastic opportunities to check in with your kids about what they are learning in our Next Gen Ministries.
Where to Find What We’re Learning
If you’d like to follow along with our curriculum and topics, here is where you can find all the details:
Kidway & Sunday Morning Middle School
- Take-Home Sheets (Kidway): These physical sheets include the Scripture, Story Point, Christ Connection, Key Passage, Big Picture Question, and a QR code for extra family resources.
- Weekly Text Sign-Up: Receive a direct link to online lesson content each week. Subscribe here to receive weekly texts. (Note: If you don't have a Lifeway account, you will be prompted to create a free account to access the materials.)
- Weekly Youth Email: The Youth Staff sends out a weekly update that includes a recap of what kids learned in Sunday Morning Middle School. Subscribe to the Parents' Email here.
Youth Group (Middle & High School)
- Weekly Youth Email: Stay up to date on what is being covered during evening Youth Group sessions. Subscribe to the Parents’ Email here.
- Fall Series — Under Authority or Under the Influence: This fall, our students are exploring how a Biblical foundation shapes how we approach modern world issues, challenging them to live out their faith daily.
- Sep 20: The Christian & the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12–27)
- Sep 27: The Christian & Work/School (Ephesians 6:6–7)
- Oct 4: The Christian & the Bible (James 1:22–27)
- Oct 11: The Christian & Dating (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Oct 18: The Christian & Politics (Romans 13:1–7)
- Oct 25: The Christian & the World (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)
Conversation Starters by Age Group
Use these simple questions to prompt conversations on the drive home or over a meal:
Toddlers & Preschoolers
- "What story did you hear today?" (Our curriculum calls this the Story Point)
- "Was there anything about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit in your lesson?"
Elementary Kids
- "What story did you hear today?" (Story Point)
- "How did you see God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit in the lesson?" (Christ Connection)
- "What games did you play today? How did they connect to the story?" (Our activities tie directly into the day's story)
- "What memory verse are you working on? Can you say it for me?" (Key Passage)
- "What missions project or missionary are you talking about this month?"
- "What book of the Bible are you reading right now?"
- "Was there anything in class today that you didn't quite understand?"
Middle Schoolers
- "What story did you hear today?" (Story Point)
- "How did you see God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit in your lesson?" (Christ Connection)
- "What book of the Bible are you studying?"
- "Was there anything discussed in class that you had questions about?"
High Schoolers
- "What topic or lesson did you focus on tonight?"
- "What did you talk about during your small group time?"
- "What Scripture passage did you look at together?"
- "What was something new you learned, or something you were reminded of?"
- "Did you have any questions about what was shared?"
A Quick Note for Parents
We know that sometimes kids won't have much to say, or they’ll give you a one-word answer like "nothing." Don't get discouraged! Simply building the consistent habit of asking creates an intentional, open door for future conversations. Even if a deep talk only happens once or twice a month, it makes a meaningful impact.
Next Steps & Follow-Up: Consider reading the week’s story together at bedtime or answering questions as a family, connecting what they learned back to the Gospel and Christ’s broader redemptive story.
If you have any questions or want more ideas on how to disciple your kids at home, feel free to reach out to the Next Gen Team, we would love to support you!
