A lesson example for download is included on this page.

First, let me say that teaching children scripture is one of the most important things we will do as parents and leaders. Our children are the future leaders and workers of tomorrow and they will be God’s light and witnesses to a very dark and lost world. We must keep eternity in mind and something as simple as a child’s Bible study can have a huge impact.

What’s so special about this curriculum? Are other curricula ineffective or wrong? Does the curriculum even matter for children at early ages?

I’ll explain how this curriculum is different, and no, it doesn’t mean other curricula has no use; it’s needed. And yes, curriculum matters especially for children at early ages. We want children of all ages to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it, and be awed by our Great God. We want them to know Christ and grow in Christ.

Secondly, after 40+ years as a ministry leader, teacher, administrator in Christian Education and Sunday school director, I’ve learned some things. Most parents and leaders shy away from engaging in meaningful Bible study beginning as early as kindergarten. Much of our lessons, studies, curricula, and such don’t engage in what we categorize as Bible study. Why? We think they are too young. Hence, we fill the classroom time with many other things.

This curriculum begins with a scripture verse. Let’s compare this curriculum with a basic Sunday school lesson.

Basic Lesson:

• Read a story to the class.
• The story is about a particular Bible character.
• Engage the children/students with key Bible truths about the character.
• Use scripture or a verse in the lesson.
• Reinforce the lesson with an activity, coloring sheet or memory verse.

This Basic Lesson is good, and it is needed in our homes and churches today. If you are doing this, you are doing a good thing.

Curriculum from Children’s Bible Teacher:

• Choose a topic or Biblical character you would like to teach your child or student.
• Select a portion of scripture you will use for the lesson.
• You read the scripture. Have them read the scripture.
• Define or explain the main terms of the verse.
• Show how those terms apply to the topic or Bible character.

Example: The Bad Report – Joseph Tells the Truth

Note: The lesson series does not begin with a particular story of Joseph pulled out from his life, it begins at the beginning of Joseph’s life for context and background. This is important in so many ways, one being this – context is needed in order to build toward that amazing story about his coat of many colors, his dream, his presumed death and the victory God gives him in the end.

Reading:

Gen. 37:2, “Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, ‘Dan & Naphtali’ and the sons of Zilpah, ‘Gad & Asher’, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.”

Have them look at the verse and answer the questions.

In verse 2, how old is Joseph?

Answer: 17.

Write out the names of Joseph’s four brothers.

Answer: Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Note: In this example, they are learning to look at and read the verse several times. This is very important. It is also lacking in our lessons. We want them to focus on the verse and let the Spirit of God work in their heart.

Discuss: What might Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher have done, so that Joseph had to give his father, Israel, a bad report about them? 

Answer: It doesn’t say but later in Genesis, Israel tells Gad that invaders will invade him and he tells Naphtali that he will struggle with others. 

1. The 4 sons may have been treating Joseph harshly which fits in with the rest of Genesis.
2. They may have had trouble with the people of the land. 
3. They might have attacked someone or fought over animals or land. 
4. We can’t be sure.

Have you treated others harshly or caused someone trouble? Discuss. If so, what should you do?

Was Joseph wrong to tell his father what they did? Discuss: (being truthful is a good character trait or labeled a tattletale)? Answer: no. Matthew 18:15-16, “¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.“

Should you say something if you see evil taking place? Answer: yes, tell someone you trust.

What would you do if you were in Joseph’s shoes and someone attacks you, verbally or physically? Tell someone you trust and tell God.

Do you believe Joseph was telling the truth? Joseph doesn’t lie in any part of the Genesis story. In John 8:32, what is Jesus? “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Do you often tell the truth? Or, do you sometimes tell the truth? Discuss. Be like Joseph and like Jesus.

Note: this is one example to show we use the scripture to dictate or lead the lesson. You read the verses then they read the verses. You define the terms in the verse (which we have done for you) and have discussions about them. You show how it applies to the main character or topic (which we have done) and then apply the verse to their particular need or life.

Our/Your Goals:

• To teach children God’s Word one verse at a time.
• Help them learn how to navigate it.
• Learn to apply it to their hearts and lives.
• Learn how to do meaningful intentional Bible study (look up definitions for terms; do background studies to explain the verse in detail (I have done that part)).
• Know God and Jesus Christ deeper (the Holy Spirit works through good Bible study).
• Discover the path God has for them.

Children can learn Biblical truths at a very early age and God’s Word should be the most important subject for them. God’s Word is inspired, and the Holy Spirit speaks to hearts when we delve into it.

It is important they learn how to use the Bible, read the verse, and discuss it. This curriculum is designed in such a way any parent or leader, expert or novice, can lead your children or students in meaningful intentional life-changing Bible study.

There’s a lot more to say about this type of curriculum. Check out the Teaching Tools page (coming soon).

Here is a lesson sample for you to download and print out. Scripture verses drive or dictate the lesson or Bible study. God does the rest.