Using Head to the Heart in a Three-Year Cycle

Using Head to the Heart in a Three-Year Cycle

The Head to the Heart system is built around a mixture of learning, service, and play. It is that combination that elevates Head to the Heart from simple instruction into true youth and family ministry. Most churches schedule two or three learning events per month, then mix in a fellowship or service event. There is always the question of what to do during Lent (the subject of a separate article), but most churches cover between 15 and 20 themes each year.

Head to the Heart offers 91 lessons across 11 theme sets, far more than any church would attempt in a single year. So what does a reasonable three-year scope and sequence look like?

If your program includes three grades, say 6th, 7th, and 8th, think of Head to the Heart as a round-robin approach. A three-year sequence rotates through the material so that by the end of the cycle, all students have been exposed to the same content. Keep in mind that the key is processing each theme at a grade-appropriate level in small group, which works best when groups are sorted by grade. If your small groups mix grades, the round-robin won't be quite as clean, but revisiting material can be beneficial too. Every church should do what suits them best. Here is one sample three-year scope and sequence:

Year One: Old Testament and The Life of Jesus

If you and your kids are new to Head to the Heart, start here. These lessons are story-based, easy to teach, and easy for kids to unpack, especially when the system is new to them. Depending on the number of theme events you have available, you may want to trim a lesson or two, but covering the Old Testament and the Life of Jesus in Year One gives you plenty to explore.

Year Two: The New Testament and Martin Luther and the Small Catechism

Following Year One with the New Testament keeps things in chronological order. From there, spend time on the life and legacy of Luther and the basics of the faith in the Small Catechism. If you are not of the Lutheran tradition, Head to the Heart also includes three-lesson sets on Wesley and Calvin that may fit your needs better.

Year Three: The Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer

You will have touched on these subjects in passing before. Year Three is the time to really dig in. Both topics generate strong discussion as kids unpack and sometimes wrestle with the deeper meaning and challenge of the Commandments and the Lord's Prayer.

Other Theme Sets, Other Settings

The three-year cycle above is simply a suggestion. Even after working through those lessons, you will have plenty of material left on the table.

Think of the remaining themes as well suited for a retreat, or for high school or adult education ministry. Adults are just big kids. The same engaging, hands-on learning that works with students works with adults too.

The Confirmation Promises theme set is designed for kids on the cusp of Confirmation Day, taking a close look at the specific promises they will be making. These themes work especially well as the basis for a Confirmation Day retreat.

Whatever you decide, Head to the Heart gives you the flexibility to approach learning in whatever way works best for your church. The real value lies in the combination of fellowship, service, and learning, and Head to the Heart Confirmation gives you the tools to cover all three.