Making it Real and Relevant is a lectionary based youth ministry program that uses contemporary music, movies and videos to connect faith formation with daily life. It provides lessons that are aligned with the Revised Common Lectionary with the goal of addressing the characteristics of spiritual development of older youth. These goals are to:
These LECTIONARY BASED LESSONS were originally developed for 9-12th graders while the TOPIC BASED LESSONS (see God Talks!) were designed for younger youth. However, churches have found that both versions work with all ages and they choose the version best suited to their needs or preferences. Some congregations choose to use both programs with different age groups--especially since only a few of the lessons are shared. This enables them to provide six years of programming. Learn about the topical program, God Talks! HERE.
Lessons are provided from the fall through Pentecost Sunday. The author's church did not have youth ministry on the fourth Sunday of Advent, so she has not provided lessons for that week. In some years where a season is longer than normal, there will be some Sunday's without a dedicated lesson (e.g., Epiphany). Most churches use lessons from a Sunday when they don't normally have a youth ministry meeting (e.g., the Sunday after Thanksgiving, spring break, etc.).
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NOTE: This program was developed by the author for her church in the early 2000's so the music and movies are from that era.