Traditional models often separate large group teaching from small group discussions, making it hard for students to stay engaged. Make It Middle School blends both formats, using short bursts of teaching followed by immediate discussion. This micro-learning approach keeps students engaged, helps with information retention, and makes it easier for leaders to facilitate conversations.

The method focuses on bite-sized, interactive learning rather than long sermons. It encourages students to really process Scripture through discussion and interactive activities in real-time.

The structure is simple. Each session contains 3 boxes and 3 circles. Boxes are the message/lesson. Circles are what happens in groups!

Box 1 is followed by Circle 1. Box 2 is followed by Circle 2. Then Box 3 is followed by Circle 3.

• BOX 1: Make it Fun – The communicator connects the students to the topic through story, activity, or some type of cultural reference.

• CIRCLE 1: Make it Fun – Immediate group discussion and/or hands-on activities to reinforce learning.

• BOX 2: Make it Clear – The communicator gives any necessary context and breaks down Scripture, landing on the point of the entire message.

• CIRCLE 2: Make it Clear – Immediate group discussion and/or hands-on activities to reinforce learning.

• BOX 3: Make it Matter – The communicator provides clarity on what this means for them as a middle schooler, and why it matters in their everyday life.

• CIRCLE 3: Make it Matter – Immediate group discussion and/or hands-on activities to reinforce learning.

This method is meant to replace the large group teaching portion and the designated small group time, while keeping icebreakers, games, and worship in place. Welcome, worship, and games would typically happen before the teaching segment. The interactive teaching and small group discussions happen in a back-and-forth format, resetting student attention and enhancing learning.

The model is extremely flexible and has been tested in both large (400+ middle schoolers) and small (4 middle schoolers) church environments.

Large churches may need to consider soundproofing and different room setups, such as using tables, or breaking into smaller circles, using multiple communicators, or leveraging video-based teaching or the role of a volunteer leader if groups meet in individual rooms.

Small churches with fewer volunteers can make and utilize pre-recorded video teachings or leverage high school students as discussion leaders.

Seating can vary based on church size and setup. Some churches use tables, chairs, benches, or just simply sit on the floor.

Others adjust based on seasonal challenges, like avoiding floor seating in winter due to salt and water from snow.

No worries! Consider during those summer months leveraging the At Home curriculum led from you up front rather than led from a group leader around their circle.

This model allows for some flexibility, such as having high schoolers lead middle schoolers in the discussion times, alongside their adult leader. Additionally, you could edit the content in the Discussion Guide to be more developmentally appropriate to your high school groups, while still giving the same message to the entire group.

Yes! The curriculum is designed to be flexible. Churches with smaller youth groups, or small groups meeting independently from large group can adapt it by having the leader of the group teach and lead discussions rather than a central teacher or communicator.

Unlike traditional youth ministry content, this format doesn’t rely on heavy themes or complex sermon series. Instead, it focuses on core topics like books of the Bible, biblical figures, and key felt need concepts (for example: friendship, identity, and mental health). The emphasis throughout this curriculum is on breaking things down rather than dumbing them down. Additionally, this curriculum is intentionally designed for middle schoolers based on their specific stage of development—physically, culturally, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

It actually makes it easier for small group leaders because they no longer have to recap the message or re-engage distracted students. The communicator or host facilitates the back-and-forth discussion, keeping students engaged while small group leaders focus on guiding conversations.

A best practice is to provide more discussion prompts or activities than a group will likely have time for, allowing leaders to select what fits best. If some groups finish early, they can move to a separate area or transition smoothly to the next segment.

Churches can create a “safe space” where students and leaders can continue deeper conversations at the leader’s discretion.  

Alternatively, some churches may decide to dedicate the final discussion circle to a more private setting on a regular basis.

Season 1 of MIMS Curriculum focuses on interactive teaching, but in future Seasons we hope to begin including pre-recorded video teachings.

Some churches may choose to record their own videos featuring familiar leaders to enhance engagement and streamline content.

Parents (or guardians/trusted adult/mentor) engage in a 30-minute conversation with their student once a week, using the guided discussion tools or the corresponding Faith Conversations podcast episode.

No worries! The curriculum includes a context key, which helps parents understand the material before engaging with their student. Alternatively, they could listen to the corresponding Faith Conversations podcast episode, where they will be guided through the conversation together by the host.

We believe parents/guardians WANT to have faith conversations with their middle schooler! Some parents are already doing this, some don’t know how to talk about it in a way that engages a middle schooler, and some just don’t feel equipped to lead that type of conversation. That’s where we come in.

The At Home component provides:

• 10 thirty-minute conversations per quarter (40 per year)

• 1 thirty-minute guided discussion per week

• Printable journal pages

• Simple prompts so parents/guardians don’t need to be Bible experts

• An audio podcast for flexibility and versatility

The goal is always for a parent and kid to connect relationally over a conversation about faith. It’s really not about having all the right answers!

The At Home topics align with the At Church messages. They are not the same scripture and point, but aligned with the series topic.

However, they are not so closely linked that they can’t provide flexibility for parents/guardians to choose what best fits their child’s needs.

For example, each quarter, parents will be provided with 10 weeks of content that include a variety of topics. At church, they may start with the series on Matthew, but the parent may choose to dive into the series on friendship At Home first if that’s more of a felt need for their kid at that time.

Absolutely! While the program is designed to integrate with church teachings, parents/guardians can still use the materials at home even if their church doesn’t adopt the At Church curriculum. Some churches may challenge parents to use it, while others may allow individual families to opt in on their own.

That is why we provide the At Home curriculum to be purchased independently. When it is purchased independently it is licensed for one family unit to use.