God's grace erases all sins and forgives us
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners. However, most
children do not understand God's grace. This short Bible lesson is
designed to help children recognize the healing ...
Object lesson: Jesus will return to seperate
the good from the bad.
Preparation: For this object lesson you'll need
two clear, hard plastic 16-ounce tumblers, model airpl...
The Point: To be
compassionate, we must set aside our own concerns.
Best for: Grades 3 and up
Scripture: Luke 10:30-37
Supplies: You'll need Bibles, a plastic ...
If you've ever visited a construction site, you know it's a busy
and active place. Each day brings new developments and progressive
changes as builders work toward the finis...
A fun snack based on the story from the book of Genesis on the
life of Esau and the importance of being honest.
Theme: Honesty
Verses to Devour: Genesis 27:21-23
Sup...
Theme: Friends
Text: Proverbs 27:10
Preparation: Gather children and their families
at the front of the church. Have families stand to one side.
The Message: We're g...
Theme: Christmas
Preparation: You'll need two red-and-white candy canes
for each child. Get J-shaped candy canes with one large red stripe
and three smaller red strip...
Create an altar by draping a bedsheet or blanket over a table.
Lay real or artificial fruits and vegetables on the altar. Also lay
a stuffed sheep or a picture of a sheep on...
*Theme: Halloween
*Text: John 18:1-6
*Preparation: None needed.
*The Message: How many of you get scared at Halloween?
Halloween can be a scary time because of al...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You don't have to be famous for Jesus to love you. Jesus doesn't
discriminate. However, we often do. How can we help kids include
everyone at church?
Theme: Discrimin...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Christmas is the celebration of Christ coming to earth as a
baby.
And then there was light!
Easter is the realization of why Christ came. It's a time of
reflection on ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Jesus showed his followers how to truly "walk the talk" of
Christianity by joining together with him. To begin this lesson,
put one teaspoon of each of the following substan...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Kids Prayer Walk:
Take a walk around your church grounds or neighborhood with the
kids. Stop every 50 steps and invite the children to look around
for:
something to ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Children's Devotion: You'll need a marble for
each child and a Bible.
The Message: (Have each child put a marble in
his or her shoe. For the next two minutes, have childr...
Children's Ministry Magazine
With school coming to an end, it's a great time to have
kids look back at times they knew God was present...
Read aloud Isaiah 41:10. Put up a large piece of butcher paper...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A simple way to teach children how God is able to meet all of
our needs.
Grades: K-3
Theme: Jesus' miracle
Text: John 6:5-13
Preparation: You'll need a snack-size
...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You'll need one 24-inch length of string or yarn for each child.
You'll also need scissors.
Form pairs and give each pair two strings. Tie the first child's
string to his...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Show your children's minstry the meaning Independence
Day with this fun Bible breakfast.
Serve a breakfast before Sunday school to show children what
kind of breakfast th...
Children's Ministry Magazine
For this zesty activity, you'll need salted and unsalted
tortilla chips, a Bible, napkins, and salsa...
Give each preteen unsalted chips in one hand and salted chips in
t...
Children's Ministry Magazine
In this special section, you'll find ways to help kids overcome
fear, serve others, develop character, pray for others, and much
more.
Disciplemakers
Theme: The Great ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A sweet way to teach kids the importance of sticking together.
You'll need 3-foot-long red string licorice and a children's
Bible.
The Message: (Have children stand in pa...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Celebrate Grandparent's Day by inviting a group of
grandparents to join your class...
Have kids prepare questions to ask grandparents the week before
their scheduled visi...
Lori Haynes Niles
This children's message is aimed at kids in grades
3-6...
Theme: God's Dependability
Text: Psalm 71:3
Preparation: Dissolve 2 cups cornstarch in 1 cup
of water. If th...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Kids must navigate many obstacles as they grow in the Christian
faith. This Bible activity will challenge kids to listen to God's
voice in a chaotic world.
Help kids ...
Lois Keffer
Building friendship through prayer is a fun children's ministry
activity that will reinforce the incredible power of prayer.
Form pairs. Pair younger children who don't wr...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Teach your children about Jesus with this Christian alternative
to Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns During this time of year, you can
teach your children about Jesus with this Chr...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Object Lesson: Kids will enjoy this race to
help them remember that it's what's on the inside that counts.
Stuff: Unhusked corn and a Bible.
Place corn on a table ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A lesson that will help show your children's ministry kids how
to see others the way God does.
Scripture: James 2:5
You'll need two adult volunteers and a Bible. Have o...
Show kids how to understand God's love on Martin Luther
King Day.
Theme: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Text: 1 Samuel 16:7
Best for: Younger Children
Preparation: Yo...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Teaching kids about the power of prayer could be as
simple as sending a postcard to the President.
Theme: President's Day
Text: Psalm 17:6 Best for: Grades 2-6
Prepara...
During the month of January, celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s
"I Have a Dream Speech" with children. Kids will create a classroom
mural portraying their hopes and drea...
Reader Submitted
In honor of the United States' Presidents' Day, celebrate the
Christian character of a great American leader. For each child,
you'll need six pennies, a strip of 3x11-inch c...
Reader Submitted
A Valentine's Day craft and object lesson that will show God's
love to someone special.
By Debbie Trafton O'Neal
Objective: Kids will show love to someone
special.
...
Reader Submitted
A Valentine's party focused on encouraging kids to love one
another as God loves them.
By Debbie Trafton O'Neal
Agape love is God's unconditional love. Have a Valentine...
Sprout a seed this spring as a reminder of the new life
we have in Jesus.
You'll need seeds, paper towels, plastic baggies, water, and a
Bible.
Have your family member...
Use this idea to help kids visualize the ways they can serve
Jesus. Trace kids' hands and shoes onto white paper, and then cut
out the shapes. Have kids write or draw on the...
Theme: Christ's Exaltation As King
Text: John 1:4
Preparation: For each child, you'll need a
1-inch piece of cardboard tube (from a paper towel roll),
spray-painted gol...
Janice Long
An object lesson that deals with anger and the power of
forgiveness.
Theme: Anger
Text: Ephesians 4:26
Preparation: You'll need one inflated, tied-off
balloon for eac...
Children's Ministry Magazine
All Ages
Theme: Taking care of creation
Text: Psalm 104:24
Preparation: You'll need a Bible and a container
of M and M's candies or Skittles.
The Message: (Form three g...
Sue Kahawaii
Here are 10 wonder-filled, hands-on experiments for
kids -- to illuminate God's powerful presence in kids'
lives.
Faith and science have a lot in common. Bo...
Lori Haynes Niles
An engaging object lesson that will teach your
children's ministry kids the importance of accepting
Christ.
FOR GRADES 3-6
Theme: Unity in Christ
Text: Romans 15:5-7...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A Mother's Day devotion for all ages.
Theme: Mother's Day
Text: Proverbs 31:28-31
Preparation: In a box or paper sack, place
different kinds of gloves. You'll also need ...
Reader Submitted
Use this devotion with children to focus on fathers and other
men who encourage children.
Form pairs. Give each pair a book. Have one partner walk across
the room and bac...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Theme: Freedom in Christ
Text: Romans 6:20-23 in an easy-to-understand
translation.
Preparation: You'll need a ball of string or
yarn, and scissors.
The Message:
...
Carolyn Caufman
Fun activities to help children understand and value
freedom.
1. Color Codes Take three children out of the
room while you explain this game. Give each child in the c...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Learning of God's provision through a tasty Bible activity and
treat.
Theme: God's provision
Text: Matthew 14:14-19
Preparation: Bring a basket with whole graham
cracke...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Theme: School
Text: Proverbs 1:5
Preparation: None needed.
The Message: It's time for school again! Who's
excited to go back to school?
I have homework for you toda...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Theme: Peer Pressure
You'll need Jump5's song "Pressure" from the Accelerate
album (Sparrow Records), a CD or cassette player, and a Bible.
Form trios. Have kids stand ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
For a tasty way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, have your
kids make mini-pumpkin pies. You'll need premade custard crusts
(available in grocery stores), spoons, bowls, ...
John Duckworth
The easy-to-read dialogue has delivery cues built right in; just
read the capitalized words with emphasis to avoid "monotone
syndrome," and to make sure everyone catches the...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Several years ago, we asked over 900 kids to tell us what they
liked best about Sunday school. One of their top answers was
snacks.
So, if you really want to capture kids...
Reader Submitted
Discovering God is a sweet experience no matter how old you are.
This devotion is designed to help children remember to look and see
God's hand in everything from creation t...
Serving as the President of the United States of America is no
easy task. This devotion demonstrates the need for each of us to
pray for our leaders every day, not just on P...
Kids often need help understanding that God protects us and
keeps us safe. This devotion shows how God's love will protect us
in all things.
•Theme: God's protection
•T...
As your class prepares for the National Day of Prayer, have them
consider all the things that they would like to tell God-and the
things in their lives that they are tha...
A fun devotion to help kids celebrate fathers and
recognize our heavenly father on Father's Day.
Preparation: You'll need a Bible, colorful
stickers, and a 2X24-inc...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Teach your kids about real freedom -- freedom from sin and how
to avoid letting it weigh them down -- on Independence Day.
Theme: Independence Day
Text: Romans 6:18
...
An engaging back-to-school devotion that will teach kids the
importance of faith and the Fruits of the Spirit. (Some assembly
required. banana not included.)
Theme: Back ...
Grandparents and grandchildren have always been special to each
other-even back in Bible times. This interactive devotion and craft
are designed to honor our grandparents.
...
Children's Ministry Magazine
This fun-filled addition for your Thanksgiving-themed Sunday
school lessons is a sweet way to teach kids the true meaning of
Thanksgiving. Disclaimer: No turke...
A great devotion that will teach kids that Jesus can be the
light of their life...especially at the times when they are afraid
of the dark.
Theme: Christmas
Text: ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Don't fight it...A Bible activity that will show
children Jesus' perspective on fighting.
Jesus once prayed to his father that his followers would all be
one. That meant ...
Group Books
Simple Supplies: A Bible, a lunch box, a whole
apple, and apple slices
What are some things we need to stay alive? Let children
respond. What are some of your favorite fo...
Group Books
Theme: God has a plan for everything.
Bible Reference: Psalm 89:11
Simple Supplies: You'll need a Bible, a globe (you
could substitute a world map), and globe stickers.
...
We can give God our worries.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
Sometimes kids have grown-up-sized problems: where to get their
next...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A fun Bible activity to highlight how God hears our
prayers.
Topic: Prayer
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:27
Game Overview: Kids will record their voices, then
listen as th...
This game will demonstrate to kids that how they look has little
to do with who they really are.
Supply List
paper plates, one per child;
markers, crayons, pens;
...
Use this Bible activity to help your Sunday school
students learn how to handle conflict.
Topic: Conflict
Scripture: Titus 3:1
Game Overview: Kids will bounce a ball...
Theme: Mother's Day
Scripture: Proverbs 1:8-9
Overview: Children will honor their mothers by
creating paper chains describing some of the things their mothers
have taugh...
Group Books
Theme: Jesus understands how we feel.
Simple Supplies: You'll need a Bible, an adult
volunteer to play the role of Jesus, and "religious" Band-Aids. If
you can't find rel...
Group Books
Items to Pack: A Bible, a marble-sized piece of
Silly Putty for each child, and several pages of newspaper comic
strips.
Tour Guide Tip: Collect comic pages for several
...
Parable Discovery: Parable of
the Prodigal Son
Sit in a chair, and have the children sit on the floor facing
you. Open your Bible to Luke 15:11-24. Show the children your...
Praise the Lord (from the Ready-to-Do Children's
Ministry Messages Kit (Group Publishing, Inc.))
Basic Belief: Worship
Theme: We can celebrate our love for God with
prai...
God's Master Plan
Creation: Genesis 1-2
Why did God go to all the trouble of creation?
The main reason was that God wanted to have a relationship with
you! You can ...
Use this simple object lesson to explain how believers offered
prayers of praise to God through burnt offerings and sacrifices in
the Old Testament, and how times, and sacri...
"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful
songs." Psalm 100:2
Supplies: You'll need a Bible, a CD of praise songs,
and a CD player.
Form pairs. Say:...
We celebrate our love for God every week in church, and we can
celebrate God in other ways too. This song-filled object lesson is
a great way to teach kids how to praise and...
A children's devotion on knowing the TRUTH
note: Please do not allow kids to eat more
than just a pinch of salt. Eating large amounts of salt may cause
digestive distress...
God's second commandment warns us against putting idols before
God. This object lesson will help your kids evaluate what idols
exist in their lives.
Items needed:
*Pla...
This dynamite devotion and object lesson teaches kids that when
we're weak, Christ is strong. With this knowledge, why would any
Christian ever worry?
Verses to View:...
Keep growing! That's God' message to Christians of all ages.
Luke 8:15 says that those who listen to and obey God's Word will
bear fruit for God's kingdom. Children need to ...
As kids begin a new school year, give them lessons in the best
subject of all -- God's love
Every new school year brings with it excitement and anticipation
-- as much f...
Courtney Wilson
OH, THE LESSONS THEY'LL LEARN!
Additional Story Ideas
Using Dr. Suess Books to Teach Bible Truths
HAPPY WITH WHAT WE HAVE
From the Book-"You shall not covet…...
EUTYCHUS MONOLOGUE
Dress up in biblical garb to deliver this one-person play, adapted
from Acts 20:7-12.
"I heard this guy screaming. I thought, why's some guy screamin...
Patricia Giunta
Use this allegory to teach children to work together: They'd
never heard of teams before-it was always each man for himself in
the land of Od.
Once, a long time ago, in ...
*Theme: Communion
*Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
*Preparation: Bring a McDonald's "Happy Meal"
box. Put enough bread for all your kids, a container of juice, and
a Ha...
Clay Cooper
Jesus used familiar objects to teach spiritual truths in his
parables. You can use the same method with your children-the safe
way.
That is, you can find all sorts of obj...
BIBLE STORY
FISHERS OF MEN
Make a "fishing pond" by placing a circle of blue fabric on the
floor. Lay small rocks around the pond. Cut out large construction
paper fish an...
*Theme: God's provision
*Text: Matthew 14:14-19
*Preparation: Bring a basket with whole graham crackers
covered by a napkin and one whole graham cracker on top of the...
Our children's ministry department leads a children's worship
service the Wednesday night or Sunday morning before or after
Thanksgiving. This meaningful part of our worship...
Theme: The church
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Preparation: Bring cookie dough in a bowl, a
cup of flour, an egg, a large spoon, and a plastic spoon for each
child.
...
Bible Devotion for GRADES K-6
•Theme: Pleasing God
•Text: Matthew 3:13-17
•Preparation: Use a white crayon to outline a
dove on a sheet of white construction paper. ...
Janel Kauffman
1. All Around Us-Give each child a balloon.
Have children each blow up their balloon, but not tie it off.
Ask: What's inside your balloon? How do you know that?
What is a...
*Theme: Confession
*Text: Genesis 3:1-13
*Preparation: Bring a cover such as a large tarp,
a sheet, or a parachute.
*The Message: Let's see if we can hide from God.
...
Easter Lesson
Before class, make smiling faces with a permanent marker on room
temperature green grapes (enough for everyone in class). Also, make
angry faces on about on...
Objective: Children will learn that God cares for the
birds and for them.
Stuff you'll need: Two jar lids for each child, two long
nails with heads, stale doughnuts, stri...
Debbie Trafton O'Neal
1. Mannerades-For every two children, write on a 3X5
card a simple situation that requires manners; for example, "You're
at the library with your cousin, and a friend comes ...
Debbie Trafton O'Neal
A quick primer to develop little Miss and Mr.
Manners of your kids.
1. Open Door-When children each arrive, have someone
stand at the door, open the door for them, give t...
Best for ages 4 to 12
You'll need: Bibles, cups of water, black
pepper, and dish soap
Form groups of four, and give each group a Bible, a cup of clean
water, and a...
Best for ages 6 to 9
You'll need: Bibles, paper, markers, scissors,
plastic straws or pencils, and tape
Form pairs, and have partners brainstorm ways to keep Jesus
fir...
Best for ages 6 to 8
You'll need a Bible, 1 large sponge per child, markers,
scissors
Set out the supplies. Instruct your kids to draw a shape such as
a heart...
Best for ages 7 to
12
You'll need a Bible, hard-boiled eggs, and washable markers
Give every child an egg, and allow kids to decorate the outside
of the shells. As the...
Lift the
lid off kids' true identity as children God loves and
treasures.
You'll need a box with a removable lid, a small mirror, paper, and
markers. Before kids arrive...
