Resources to help children and teens hear the Gospel, respond to Jesus, and grow in discipleship. Choose according to their age, questions, and readiness, with time for prayer, conversation, and ongoing accompaniment.
The kerygma is the proclamation of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, and the invitation to respond to him. Children and teens need to hear this Good News in language they can understand and connect with their own lives.
Young people can experience God’s nearness, receive his love, grow in friendship with Jesus, and share what they have received. Give them room to wonder, ask questions, and respond freely.
“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14
Begin with Family and Lived Faith
Children encounter faith through the people closest to them: how adults pray, forgive, serve, and speak about Jesus. Parents and grandparents need opportunities to receive the Gospel themselves and support in sharing it through ordinary family life.
Help families name moments of grace, pray together, and talk honestly about their relationship with Jesus. Parish and school formation can support these relationships while also accompanying children whose families are less connected to faith.
For parents, catechists, and youth leaders, begin with this question: What difference has Jesus made in your life? Recognizing the Gospel’s movements in your own story helps you speak from lived experience.
For the adults who accompany young people, see Kerygma Resources for Adults & Small Groups.
Share the Gospel with Children
Use stories and lessons that make the Gospel clear, then allow time for children to ask questions and pray.
Picture book: The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross
BY: CARL LAFERTON AND CATALINA ECHEVERRI
This illustrated book traces the Bible’s story from Eden through Jesus’ death and resurrection to God’s new creation. It introduces children to God’s love, the separation caused by sin, and the way Jesus opens for us to be with God. Use it for family reading or a shared story in faith formation, pausing to hear what children notice.
Best fit: Children who enjoy picture books, accompanied by a parent or catechist.
Planning tool: Kerygma Storybooks Chart
BY: LOYOLA PRESS
This chart pairs the five movements of the kerygma with Scripture passages, traditional prayers, and children’s books. Use it to choose a story that opens conversation about a particular movement, then connect that story explicitly with Jesus and the Gospel.
Best fit: Parents, catechists, and teachers planning family reading, classroom conversations, or sacramental preparation.
Book: Dragon Slayers
BY: JOYCE DENHAM
Writing as Sir Wyvern Pugilist, Joyce Denham uses dragons, knights, and spiritual armor to explore Christian faith and the challenges of following Jesus. Its imaginative approach can engage adventure-minded children and open conversations about temptation, forgiveness, courage, and dependence on Jesus.
Best fit: Elementary and middle school readers. Use alongside clear Gospel proclamation and Catholic teaching when discussing sin and Reconciliation.
Explore the companion study guide for leaders and teachers →.
Lesson plans: Kerygma 4 Kids
BY: ANITA HOUGHTON
Kerygma 4 Kids offers grade-level lessons that proclaim the Gospel through Scripture, guided meditation, videos, and activities. Each lesson invites children to discover God’s personal love, respond in friendship with Jesus, and find language for sharing the Good News. Use it within existing parish or school formation.
Best fit: Kindergarten through eighth grade. Elementary lessons are approximately sixty minutes; middle school lessons are approximately ninety minutes.
Video & prayer resource: Kerygma for Kids
BY: OPENLIGHT MEDIA — DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST
This resource presents four movements of the Gospel story: creation, sin, God seeking us, and salvation in Jesus. Videos are accompanied by prayer, guided Scripture reflection, coloring pages, and other downloadable materials. Consider it for family faith formation, a classroom, or a parish group where children can watch, reflect, and pray with an adult.
Best fit: Children ages eight and older. Available through a course purchase or Openlight Media Plus membership.
Film & discussion series: Alpha Youth
BY: ALPHA
Alpha Youth creates space for young people to explore life, faith, and purpose through videos and conversation. The current series includes ten episodes over eight weeks, exploring Jesus, salvation, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and Christian community. Consider it when your team can offer hospitality and listen openly to young people’s questions.
Best fit: Primarily ages thirteen to eighteen; assess suitability for younger participants.
Small group series: The Invitation
BY: YDISCIPLE
This four-session Catholic series helps teens explore what it means to follow Jesus, hear the Gospel, and grow within Christian community. Approximately fifteen-minute videos are paired with discussion, activities, and prayer. Leader training, participant guides, and parent sheets support the adults accompanying the group.
Best fit: Ongoing teen small groups, with separate leader guides for ages eleven to thirteen and fourteen to eighteen. Available through purchase or subscription.
Film & discussion series: The Search Begins
BY: AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE
Adapted specifically for teens, this seven-episode series connects questions about identity, meaning, happiness, suffering, and God with Jesus and his invitation to relationship. Teen commentary and shorter segments create opportunities for conversation with parents, teachers, youth ministers, and peers.
Best fit: Middle and high school students exploring why faith matters, particularly in parishes or schools with Formed access.
Small group study: CCO Discovery
BY: CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
Discovery is a six-week study that presents the Gospel simply and invites a personal response to Jesus. The leader guide supports intentional small group conversations. Consider it for older teens ready to explore the Gospel directly, with a leader who can adapt the conversation to their experience.
Best fit: Older teens and young adults; review the materials for your group’s maturity and reading level.
Small group experience: The Rescue Project
BY: ACTS XXIX
This eight-week experience combines Gospel proclamation with a meal, conversation, prayer, and a half-day retreat. The provider identifies it for ages twelve and older. Consider it for teens ready to engage the whole Gospel story with consistent adult accompaniment. Preview the content and follow the provider’s guidance for the more challenging material in chapters three and four.
Best fit: Ages twelve and older, with prepared facilitators. Videos and digital hosting resources are free.
Share the Gospel in a Personal Conversation
Use a simple aid when a young person is open to hearing more about Jesus. Listen to their questions and allow them freedom in how they respond.
Gospel booklet: The Ultimate Relationship
BY: CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
This short booklet helps you share the Gospel clearly and personally, with an invitation to respond to Jesus. Use it in a conversation with a young person, allowing space for questions rather than rushing through the pages. The provider’s training videos demonstrate how to use it.
Best fit: Middle school and high school youth, with attentive adult accompaniment.
Explore The Ultimate Relationship
Also available in Spanish and as a free digital download.
For parents, catechists, and youth leaders preparing to proclaim, Kerygma in Your Own Words offers practice with one real person in mind.
Open a Conversation with a Video
These videos can prompt reflection with teens. Preview them for your group, connect them with a clear proclamation of Jesus, and allow participants to choose what they share.
Music video: How He Loves — Spanish
Use this Spanish-language music video to open reflection on God’s love and a young person’s response to Jesus. Begin with what participants noticed, then offer a question for private prayer or voluntary conversation.
Ask: “What stood out to you?” or “What would you like to bring to Jesus in prayer?”
Best fit: Middle school and high school youth, particularly Spanish-speaking groups.
Video: Falling Plates
BY: CRU
Falling Plates uses visual imagery to open a conversation about life, brokenness, and Jesus. Let participants describe what they saw before offering an interpretation. One or two open questions can help you hear their experience and recognize where further conversation might be welcome.
Ask: “Which image stayed with you?” or “What questions did this raise for you?”
Best fit: Middle school and high school youth.
Choose a resource that fits the young people entrusted to you, and plan how their questions and responses will be accompanied afterward. Keep parents and caregivers connected with what children are hearing and give families simple ways to continue the conversation at home.
Have a resource to recommend? Let us know.
Continue exploring the kerygma
Return to the Gospel proclamation, make space for personal encounter, and explore how to help others receive and respond to Jesus.
