Though small in stature, preschoolers are big in fun! It’s easy to discount their abilities, yet there are so many preschool Bible adventures to be had with young children at your church. Even as their busy brains develop and make new connections, little ones really can befriend Jesus and learn to love and follow him. Caring for them is so much more than childcare. It’s discipleship preschool style!

What a privilege it is to know, love, and teach preschoolers!

Between the ages of 2 and 6, the human brain increases from 70 percent of its adult weight to 90 percent. That’s four critical years when preschoolers improve in a variety of skills. That’s why preschool is the perfect time to help young children grow in friendship with Jesus!

Here are 5 key pieces to the discipleship preschool style puzzle!

1. Teach age-appropriate preschool Bible stories with one key Bible Point.

When considering which parts of God’s story to share with preschoolers, we first ask, “What does this story tell about God?” After all, God is the main character of every story in the Bible! We teach children stories from the Bible to help preschoolers meet God and his special Son, Jesus.

Consider this quote from The Bible Story Handbook by John and Kim Walton. John is an Old Testament professor, and Kim is a veteran Sunday school teacher and curriculum developer. They co-wrote this book to resource and help people who teach and minister to children—like you and me! They write:

“We tell Bible stories so that students of all ages can know God better. As they come to know God through his stories, they will know better how to be in relationship with him and how to imitate him in their lives. This means that our primary concern in teaching any story from the Bible is to explain what the story tells us about God.”

When considering sharing a Bible story with preschool friends, we ask,

• “What does this story tell us about God?”
• Then we ask, “When will knowing this truth help a preschooler?”

If we can’t think of a situation or it’s very, very far into the future of their lives, then it may not be time for that part of God’s story just yet.

2. Play the preschool Bible story.

Preschool ministry is all about purposeful play. Consider this quote from a model preschool minister Mr. Fred Rogers:

“It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.”

This sentiment is backed by research. According to an article on HeartStart.gov, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a report about how important play is. They listed some of the benefits of play. Here are three:

• Play supports healthy brain development.
• Play allows children to safely explore their fears and practice adult roles.
• Play is a way that children build relationships with their peers and caregivers.

At this age, simply telling a Bible story may lead to wiggles and wandering away. But playing a Bible story? That’s different. Play helps to keep preschoolers’ attention, and it involves them through hands-on learning.

(By the way, experiential learning is important for elementary kids, too! If you’d like, you can check out the article, “Why Kids Shouldn’t Sit Still and Listen.”)

When we connect Bible stories to play, we help preschoolers know God more. They’re literally “playing out” faith in everyday life. Playing the Bible story is the best way to help preschoolers learn about God through his Word.

Over the years, Group has incorporated play into preschool Bible lessons for Easy VBS. We’ve used finger puppets, pom poms, beach balls, parachutes, blocks, cups, even bubbles! These objects become roads Jesus walked along, sheep the Good Shepherd found, the walls of Jerusalem, and the Jordan River!  We’ve had so much fun connecting the Bible story to play!

3. Read aloud from a Bible.

Preschoolers see a lot of screens, probably too many screens, in fact. So, let’s show them a real book about our real God! When Sunday school teachers read from the Bible, they show kids what it looks like to love and honor God and his Word.

As we read, we treat the Bible with love. We smile as we hold it. We read with expression and care. When we do, we’re teaching preschool kids a lot.

Think of the preschoolers you teach. What do they learn about God or the Bible as they watch you read to them from a Bible?

They intrinsically learn about your love for God. Your care for the Bible. They notice that the Bible makes you happy. And that reading the Bible is fun! All because you’re modeling these magnetic aspects of faith and friendship with God.

Reading from the Bible sets a tone for our classrooms. It creates a physical image for an invisible God. Opening and reading from a Bible, shows God’s specialness—yes, I made up that word. 😊 And God’s authority.

Here’s the catch: We read some words from the Bible. But we don’t read all of them to preschoolers. Rather, we pre-choose short sentences or parts of the Bible story to read aloud.

P.S…My First Hands on Bible is a great resource to read with preschool friends. Glance over its table of contents to see some wonderful, age-appropriate Bible stories for preschoolers.

4. Look for words or ideas to explain in a simple way.

As you read from God’s Word, pause and explain new vocabulary. Even the most kid-friendly Bible translations are written at a third grade, sixth grade, or eighth grade reading level. (Check out this Bible translations list from christianbook.com.)  Preschoolers’ brains are getting ready to learn and remember new words. So help them! Pause to explain words like “grace,” “refuge,” and “salvation.”

There’s certainly a lot to explain in the Bible! But lest we get overwhelmed and overly talky, remember that “short and sweet is really neat” for our young friends.

Preschoolers’ attention spans don’t accommodate long explanations. So keep things simple and trust that there will be time to explore Bible context more as preschoolers grow. Right now, our young friends are trying to absorb a lot—it’s OK if they don’t know what leprosy is or the cultural reason Naaman didn’t want to dunk in the river.

For now, it’s most important for them to know that the Bible is special and God is powerful!

5. Repeat Bible truth over and over and over again.

Repetition cements learning. So say the one key Bible truth over and over again.

For example, when kids arrive and play, say, “God is powerful!”

Sing about God’s power.

Eat snacks that provide power as you think about God’s power.

Play games! Hop! Dip toys in water! Even play Duck, Duck, Goose. Each activity can playfully connect to Naaman’s story and God’s power.

Even a little video can help. Especially when the video connects to an age-appropriate character preschoolers love. Watch this example! Kody the Kodiak bear will help young friends find power from God!

Preschoolers love to do things over and over and over again! Just watch them line up those Hot Wheels cars, go up and down a slide, or hear their favorite song. So go with it! Repeat the Bible Point over and over again all throughout your lesson. Repetition helps truth from God’s Word really stick!

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Perhaps discipleship preschool-style isn’t just about our teaching. Preschoolers teach us about God, too. Their growing faith reveals God’s heart. Their simple understanding centers us on the topics that Jesus says matter most—loving God and loving others.

Looking for more preschool Sunday school lessons? Check out Simply Loved and find out how simple and rewarding teaching preschool Bible lessons can be!