A new school year always comes with a rush of mixed emotions for me. Of course, there is some relief to get the schedule and routine back in the house not just for me, but for the kids. There is some tension with said kids who are not as “relieved” to have school coming back (and “denial” that summer is coming to an end). And of course – throw in some anxiety because of all the “things” – supplies that need to be bought, forms that must be signed, back to school meetings or tryouts that must be attended… and maybe that last beach trip to squeeze in.
If you are also in youth ministry, Bridges to Orthodoxy hopes to help you with the curriculum planning. Every year we try to compile Orthodox resources we find. See that list HERE.
As for BtO specifically, we have a great 2025-2026 scope this year and we hope you keep looking back. Occasionally, I will get an email asking me if we had any units with particularly good feedback or my personal favorites, so I figured I would dedicate this post to my personal top 5 favorite units over the years (and it was hard to choose).
It's that time of year again! Just like last summer, we've compiled a list of pan-Orthodox resources, some free, some not free - a variety of ages, to help you find the right resources for your youth ministry effort. While we LOVE Bridges to Orthodoxy, we always stress that curriculum is merely a tool - it is not "magic" and it is certainly not "handcuffs." Take the time to precisely define the mission statement of your youth ministry effort and that will help you figure out what tools you need to further that mission. Don't use a hammer when you need a screwdriver for the job.
