What is the Kerygma,
and why must it precede catechesis?
In this short video, Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, shares his insight on the need for the Kerygma and how, once its embraced by the person, all of the teachings of the Church begin to make more sense. It all starts with the Kerygma.
Video used with permission by the Archdiocese of Detroit
“Kerygma 4 Kids was a HUGE hit today! The Catechists loved it and thought it was great for the kids. They said that the kids loved it and were extremely engaged in the content.”
Karen Kirkland
Coordinator of Children’s Catechesis at Cathedral of Christ the King, Diocese of Lexington
Kerygma 4 Kids
Grade School Edition: Kindergarten - 5th
Anita Houghton
What is it and what does it do?
Kerygma 4 Kids is a new evangelization tool for children that proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ in a unique and engaging way.
What are the benefits?
Through Kerygma 4 Kids, children will experience the nearness of God and come to understand the cross of Christ in a deep and personal way. Kerygma 4 Kids will lead the children into a deeper friendship with the risen Christ and equip them to share the Good News with others.
Structure and purpose
Kerygma 4 Kids contains one evangelization lesson for each grade. It was developed to help you incorporate evangelization into your current faith formation program. Each grade-level lesson proclaims the basic gospel message through a unique theme which can be viewed below.
Elements of Each Lesson
Each grade-level lesson (60 minutes):
- helps children discover God’s personal love for them
- includes guided meditations on Sacred Scripture to help children encounter the risen Christ
- presents an age-appropriate proclamation of the kerygma—the Good News of Christ’s salvific work
- includes animated videos and engaging activities that reinforce the Gospel message
- includes an invitation to open their hearts to a personal friendship with Jesus Christ
- provides the language to help children share the Good News with others
To get a better understanding of how a typical Kerygma 4 Kids lesson flows, check out the Grade 2 example below.
Kerygma 4 Kids
Middle School Edition: 6th - 8th
Anita Houghton
KERYGMA 4 KIDS MIDDLE SCHOOL EDITION is a series of dynamic evangelization lessons for youth grades 6 through 8. Middle School years are a pivotal time for young people, during which they face numerous changes and challenges. These lessons connect the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lives of Middle School youth.
Like Kerygma 4 Kids Kindergarten – Grade 5, Kerygma 4 Kids Middle School Edition uses guided meditation, small group discussion, and hands-on activities, to help youth encounter Christ personally and presents the kerygma – the Good News that Jesus died and rose to save us from sin – in a powerful and age-appropriate way. The Kerygma 4 Kids – Middle School Edition DVD contains all the videos for the Middle School I, Middle School II, and Middle School III lessons.
Elements of Each Lesson
Each grade-level lesson (90 minutes):
- helps students discover God’s personal love for them
- includes guided meditations on Sacred Scripture to help them encounter the risen Christ
- presents an age-appropriate proclamation of the kerygma—the Good News of Christ’s salvific work
- includes whiteboard animated videos and engaging activities that reinforce the Gospel message
- includes an invitation to open their hearts to a personal friendship with Jesus Christ
- provides the language to help them share the Good News with others
Sample lesson coming soon. See the Middle School sample materials below.
Supplement Your Current Program with K4K
Kerygma 4 Kids is a perfect way to weave evangelization into your faith formation program or Catholic school religion curriculum. The 60-minute lesson can be used to kick-off the school year or to begin the season of Lent. Kerygma 4 Kids can also be used in a retreat setting or as a supplement to a Vacation Bible School program. It’s only 1 class on 1 day, any month of the year!
Sample Lesson - Grade 2
Lesson Structure
Leader Guide
Step 1: Discover God's Love - 20 minutes
A) Show Video
B) Workbook Activity with Stickers
C) Guided Meditation
D) Workbook Activity
Step 2: Understand Sin and the Good News of Jesus Christ - 20 minutes
A) Show Video
B) Workbook Activity
Step 3: Respond and Invite Jesus Into Your Life - 20 minutes
A) Show Video
B) Workbook Activities
C) Closing Prayer
Sticker Sheet
GRADE SCHOOL THEMES AND WORKBOOK SAMPLES
Kindergarten: Jesus Is Your Light
Workbook Sample
1st Grade:
Jesus Is Your Friend
Workbook Sample
2nd Grade:
God Knows Your Name
Workbook Sample
3rd Grade:
Jesus is Your Shepherd
Workbook Sample
4th Grade:
God's Work of Art
Workbook Sample
5th Grade:
Jesus is Your Valentine
Workbook Sample
MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKBOOK SAMPLES
Middle School Leader Guide
Middle School I Workbook
Middle School II Workbook
Middle School III Workbook
MIDDLE SCHOOL VIDEO SAMPLE
For You:
You as an educators, catechist and or faith formation leader are in need of resources to evangelize in the classroom. Kerygma 4 Kids is the perfect tool for the job!
For a Friend:
When you come across a great lesson or resource to help your students you want to share it with your peers. This is that great lesson!
For Your Parish:
Order for your Religious Education, as well if you have a school and receive a bulk discount!
About the Author
Anita Houghton is a Regional Coordinator of Catechetical Programming and Formation in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Detroit, providing formation and training to lay ministers and catechists, particularly in the area of evangelization. Prior to joining the Archdiocese, she was the Director of Religious Education at St. Sylvester Church in Warren. Anita is also a part-time faculty member at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, teaching courses in Sacred Scripture.
She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science both from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Anita is also a Lay Associate of the Companions of the Cross, a Roman Catholic community of priests and lay people dedicated to the renewal of the Church through dynamic evangelization.
Anita is married and has three college-aged children. She and her husband, Deacon Mike Houghton, are members of St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township Michigan, where together they lead RCIA and other adult formation ministries.