Today is World AIDS Day, established by the World Health Organization in 1988. While government and non faith-based organizations may be making a big deal (or at least raising awareness) about AIDS Day, often the Church sits silently on days like this. That’s too bad. When we fail to speak and act on behalf of the suffering we miss opportunities to engage students in our ministries and communities in seeking justice.

Today at FYI we wanted to point you to a few free resources to help you engage AIDS—perhaps today, or perhaps as you plan for the next few months:

1. A few years ago we wrote a curriculum in partnership with World Vision and Youth Specialties designed to help engage youth ministries to learn about and act on the injustices surrounding the global AIDS epidemic, most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It’s still available as a free download on our website to use in your ministry.

2. We also created a year’s worth of monthly ideas for use in worship, prayer, and small groups to engage kids around AIDS, poverty, and other global concerns. It’s all available for free download, too.

3. World Vision offers ideas specifically geared to college student ministries here, which can easily be adapted to high school or middle school ministries.

4. Beyond youth ministry, last year we partnered with World Vision and the Willow Creek Association to provide this free curriculum resource for adult small groups and families.

Be sure to let us know what else you’re doing to engage youth and families around AIDS and helping them act with justice toward those who suffer from HIV/AIDS.