On July 1, the refresh of our beloved Spark: Activate Faith curriculum begins! Find out what changes, what stays the same, and why!

spark refresh logo

Our refresh of Spark will address three main areas: the Spark Bible, leaflets, and leader guide updates. The change in Bible translation to the NRSVue led us to audit our entire Sunday School curricula through a refreshed lens. Keep reading for the summary of changes and more in-depth answers.

Click here to go to Summary and Dates

Click here to jump to the May 20 Webinar

Leaflets: Now Downloadable Only

Leaflets are now downloadable through a one-time purchase or an updated subscription to Sparkhouse Digital Deluxe (SHD+). This means leaflets no longer include stickers and sticker activities.

Why? Research with hundreds of Spark customers showed us that children’s ministry leaders prefer downloadable leaflet files you can print yourself over purchasing printed leaflets. The download format accommodates fluctuating numbers from week to week, reducing waste. (You won't have to download stickers. All the sticker activities are replaced with other ways to interact with leaflets.)

Leaflets

Refreshed Spark leaflets are downloadable only. We will not sell print leaflets with this refreshed content, only downloadable ones.

Leaflets that included stickers for Ages 2-3, PreK-K, and Grades 1-2 no longer do so.

For all refreshed leaflets, sticker activities have been replaced with new and engaging ways for kids to interact with the Bible stories.

You can access downloadable leaflets two ways. Subscribe to Sparkhouse Digital Deluxe (SHD+) or purchase digital leaflet downloads from our webstore.

Sparkhouse Digital Deluxe (SHD+): This new tier for SHD Children allows subscribers to download and print Spark: Activate Faith leaflets. Pricing for this tier begins at $399 for groups of 1 to 25 students and will be available on July 1.
Digital Download purchase from webstore: Downloadable leaflets for each age level will be priced at $29.99 for each quarter. Make as many copies as you need each week and say goodbye to surplus leaflets at the end of the quarter.

*Our current stock of printed leaflets and accompanying Leader Guides are all 25% off while supplies last. Use promo code SPARKTHANKS.

Spark Bible: Now NRSVue

The Spark Bible now uses the NRSVue translation. Our best-selling Spark Bible used the NRSV translation. The copyright holder of this translation notified us that we needed to revise our Bible to use the NRSV Updated Edition. So we did! And now we have for you the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition of the Spark Bible. It’s new! It’s revised! And now it’s updated!

Spark NRSVue

This full text Bible now includes the text of the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition.
All feature content now reflects changes to these texts. For example, when students read the story of Naaman, they'll read that he has a skin disease, not leprosy.
Additionally, some feature content has been changed to reflect updated language. For example, when student read about the Hebrew people in Egypt, they'll read that they were enslaved people, not slaves.

Spark NRSVue Paperback and Hardcover editions will be available to order on August 3, 2026.

Content Refresh: NRSVue, imagery, and non-sticker activities

Content is refreshed to reflect the NRSVue, replace outdated imagery and language, and adjust leaflets to non-stickering activities.

Along with updating Bible references to reflect the NRSVue text, we made other changes, like updating leaflet activities, using new photos, adjusting language, and adapting activities.
These updates are being made to Spark Lectionary, Spark Classroom, and Spark All Kids – NOT Spark Rotation.

Spark Leader Guides
Leader Guides for the lower three grade levels describe new interactive leaflet activities that replace the sticker activities.

Leader Guides for the upper two grade levels reflect changes to Bible text based on the NRSVue.

Spark Leader Guides are still available to purchase in print and on Sparkhouse Digital.

Leaflet Images
Does your Sunday School class ask “What’s this?” while pointing at the photo of a flip phone on their leaflet? This Spark Refresh updates images that no longer connect with kids.

What is staying the same?

Most things! This refresh allows us to update the ancillary resources and core Bible translation, but does not impact the lesson structure and patterns that you know and love!

Every lesson still includes a range of activities that follow the four-part lesson format.
Lesson extras are still available on Sparkhouse Digital and in a $14.99 Digital Download (instead of the previous CD-ROM).
All Lesson Prep Videos are still available, and now they are FREE on our Sparkhouse webstore and on Sparkhouse Digital.
Your beloved Spark Story Bible is the same!

Webinar

An Overview of the Spark: Activate Faith Curriculum Refresh

Wednesday, May 20, at 2PM CST

Spark: Activate Faith has been a Sunday School curriculum rockstar for years. But even rock stars need a little freshening-up now and then. In this 30-minute webinar, our Sparkhouse developers will share what they have done to give Spark some new spark, keeping it the Sunday School standard that it's been for years to come. Rock on!

Summary

Spark Bible

Our Spark Bible now uses the NRSVue translation. Book intros and feature content reflect the updated translation.

Leaflets

Spark Leaflets will be available only as digital downloads and will no longer be available in print form for physical purchase.
Spark leaflets can be purchased as digital downloads on our webstore or through a new tier of Sparkhouse Digital called Sparkhouse Digital Deluxe.
Sparkhouse Digital now offers a Deluxe version of its Children's subscription, with pricing starting at $399 for groups of 1 to 25.

Content Refresh

Downloadable leaflets have been modernized by updating language, photos, and NRSVue Bible passages.
All sticker activities for Ages 2-3, PreK-K, and Grades 1-2 leaflets have been replaced with interactive activities that do not use stickers. These changes reflected in Leader Guides.

General

Spark Refresh updates are for Spark Lectionary, Spark Classroom, and Spark All Kids, NOT Spark Rotation.
These changes will not impact the lesson flow you know well for every Spark Lesson: Gather, Open the Bible, Activate Faith, Send.
Our current stock of printed leaflets and accompanying Leader Guides are all 25% off while supplies last. Use promo code SPARKTHANKS.
A webinar on May 20th with the Spark developers will explain what has gone into this refresh.

Dates to Know

Webinar: May 20, 2pm CST
Refreshed Content release: July 1
Downloadable Leaflets available: July 1
Leader Guides available: July 1
Sparkhouse Digital Deluxe launch: July 1
Spark NRSVue Bible release: August 3
25% off 1st edition Spark Leader Guides and leaflets with SPARKTHANKS: Now until inventory is gone.

Questions?

If you have questions about this refresh, please reach out to our friendly Sales and Service team!

Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CDT

Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Refreshing Spark: Activate Faith for NRSVue, downloadable leaflets, and more!