Homeschooling: Our First Week at Riddle Academy

This week (home) school began for my son and me.  I put “home” in parenthesis because even though we have school at home everyday, it is still school.  Some people may question whether homeschoolers really do anything.  There may be some out there who don’t, but I believe the vast majority wishes to educate their children to the fullest extent; that is my desire. We began this week slowly, trying to get into the routine of getting

16 Tactics for Getting More Kids in Sunday School

Traditional Sunday School has fallen on hard times. Some churches are changing focus, while others are just losing out to pillow time. Whatever the reasons, low attendance is a big discouragement to Sunday School teachers. Maybe you’ve seen this first hand. You work hard to prepare a relevant, kid friendly, biblical faithful lesson. You arrive early to set up the classroom and spend a few minutes in prayer. Then you wait. And wait. And wait. 10 minutes

Jonah Gets Mad at God (Children's Sunday School Lesson)

This lesson is based on Jonah’s response to God’s mercy to the Ninevites from Jonah 4.  Jonah had experienced God’s mercy and was given a second chance in his life.  Jonah was unmerciful in his response to God’s compassion and mercy to the repentant Ninevites.  The lesson uses Matthew 18:21-35 to bring in a New Testament Scripture as a parallel passage to teach the truth that God has shown sinners great mercy and believers should respond to

Bulletin Insert: 10 Reasons To Bring Your Child To Sunday School

What follows is a bulletin insert I created for my church. I wanted to write out some benefits of Sunday School attendance as an encouragement for families. I kept the list simple so it would print on a half sheet of paper. Directions: Simply click on the preview image to download this file as a printer friendly PDF. I’ve also upload it as a Word document if you would like to tweak it for your own church.

KJV Sunday School Lessons

At my church, we use a variety of Bible Translations. But I am constantly getting emails from readers who need Sunday School Lesson only in the KJV. One easy solution is to edit our free lessons and simply use the King James Version. Most of the content would only require an easy change of wording and you can have hundreds of free lesson plans using the KJV. Click here to see all the King James Version Bible

"Work" Sunday School Lesson (for Labor Day)

Have you ever taught children what the Bible says about the value of work? Then you might enjoy this simple lesson plan that explains why our jobs matter to God. Children need to understand that working hard  glorifies God. Work is one way we love our neighbors and fulfill our purpose in life. These truths are relevant in all of life. I first wrote this for my children’s church, but it would work well as a labor day Sunday

Preschool Bible Lesson: God's Strength is Everlasting

This is the sixth lesson plan in our series for preschoolers about knowing God. Each lesson is based on a passage from Isaiah 40 and will help younger children grow in their knowledge and love for God. Be sure to read the series introduction for teaching tips and explanation of the lesson format. This lesson is targeted for older preschool children, age 4 and age 5 years old. It would serve well as a preschool Sunday School

Sunday School Lesson: Jonah Returns to God

This Bible lesson is a continuation for the study of the Book of Jonah.  It was prepared with older elementary students in mind.  The focuses of this lesson is repenting from sin and turning back to God.  The lesson can be simplified for younger children with a focus on how God hears and answers our prayers.  It can also be used for Children’s Church. You can also browse all our free Jonah lessons and resources. Bible Story: Jonah

Preschool Bible Lesson: God Knows Me

Try this lesson with your toddler or preschool Sunday School class at church. The children will learn that “God knows me.”  This precious truth will lay a foundation for more learning about God and having a relationship with them. With a little modification, you could use it in a variety of Bible teaching settings.  This lesson is based on David’s reflection on God’s wisdom and omniscience which is recorded in Psalm 139. Simply follow the directions below.

Sunday School Lesson: Jonah's Undersea Accommodations

This is the second lesson created for the study of Jonah.  This particular lesson deals with dying to self and living for Christ.  The lesson may be more appropriate for students who have been believers and are maturing in their faith.  The lesson clearly presents the Gospel so students who are unsaved can be exposed to the salvation message.  The lesson can be simplified for younger students by focusing on the truth to say no to sin and yes

Sunday School Lesson: Jonah Runs From God

This lesson is based on the the first chapter of the Book of Jonah.  It focuses on how a person’s disobedience to God causes difficulty in the lives of others.  Despite knowing his mission from God, Jonah allowed prejudice and fear to control his actions. This lesson plan was prepared for older elementary Sunday School, but you modify it to use as a Children’s church lesson and simplified for younger students. As always, be creative and teach for

Adopted into God's Family: Sunday School Lesson

This is a Sunday school lesson is about being adopted into God’s family based on Galatians 4:4. It can be adapted for use in a preschool classroom or elementary aged classroom. The lesson is followed by a paper doll self portrait craft activity. Feel free to modify this Bible lesson for your own ministry setting. Be creative and make it personal for the children in your class. Bible Passage: Galatians 4:4 Bible Story Title: Adopted into God’s Family

Paul and Barnabas (Children's Sunday School Lesson)

This lesson is a continuation of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey.  In this lesson they experience rejection to the message of the Gospel and also see many respond with faith as they hear the message.  The lesson can be used in Children’s church and also simplified for younger students. Be creative and adapt this lesson to fit your own Sunday School class and teaching style. Bible Story: Paul and Barnabas share the Good News in Pisidian

Preschool Bible Lesson: Our God is Mighty

This is the third lesson plan in our series for preschoolers about knowing God. Each lesson is based on a passage from Isaiah 40 and will help younger children grow in their knowledge and love for God. Be sure to read the series introduction for teaching tips and explanation of the lesson format. This lesson is targeted for older preschool children, age 4 and age 5 years old. It would serve well as a preschool Sunday School

Four Tasks To Do After Vacation Bible School

Your VBS has come to a conclusion. After all the “de-decorating” has occurred one may think all he or she is left with are some traces of hay or sand, that yellow tacky left behind on the walls from posters, snack crumbs under the chairs, and all that leftover craft supplies that seem to always accumulate in that same corner until around Christmas time. But is there more to the aftermath of VBS? Listed below are some

God Made Me: Preschool Bible Lesson & Craft

Try this simple Bible lesson for preschoolers. It will help them learn that God created every part of them. It would work well for a Preschool Sunday School lesson or any ministry setting for younger children. This preschool lesson also includes a simple craft idea. You could modify this lesson for older children or other ministry settings. Bible Story: God Made Me Scripture: Psalm 139:13-14 Target Age Group: Ages 2 – 4 Learning Context: Any small group

Peter Walks on Water: Preschool Lesson & Craft

This is a Bible lesson for younger children from Matthew 14. In this story, Jesus calls Peter to come out of the boat and walk on the water. Children will learn about trusting Jesus even when we can’t see clearly. This preschool lesson also includes a simple craft idea. You could modify this lesson for older children or other ministry settings. Bible Story: Peter Walks on Water Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 Target Age Group: Age 4 – 6

Review: Cullen's ABC's Free Online Preschool Program

What is Cullen’s ABC’s Online Preschool Program? Cullen’s Online Preschool Program is a series of twelve complete preschool days that you can use with your own child(ren) or a group of children to offer them a complete preschool in the comfort of your own home. Who is Cullen? According to her website Cullen’s ABC’s, Cullen: …has been working with young children since 1994; falling in love with her profession from the start. Her career began as a

Peter and Cornelius Sunday School Lesson

This lesson is taken from the story of God revealing to Cornelius a Gentile and to Peter a Jew, His plan to remove barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles.  Students will learn how God began to guide Peter to understand His plan to allow Gentiles to receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Even though Peter doesn’t fully understand he obeys the instructions God gives him.  This lesson was prepared for a Sunday School class but can

Night or Day Vacation Bible School Schedule?

A reader recently emailed me asking for advice about her VBS schedule. I thought it was a good question so I wanted to share a few quick thoughts here on the website. This is not an exhaustive discussion, so please share your ideas in the comment section below. You can also check out a helpful conversation about this on the Kidology forums. Here is what the reader wrote: This will be my first year directing VBS and our theme

Sheep PROTECTED by a Shepherd: A Preschool Bible Lesson

This is a lesson plan intended for preschool children, ages 2-5.  It is designed for a children’s church or Sunday School, but can be adapted to meet your particular ministry setting. It is the third in our series for preschoolers titled Jesus is My Good Shepherd. The first lesson plan (Sheep LOVED by a Shepherd) in this series taught students that they were like sheep, loved by a Shepherd.  The second lesson (Sheep SAVED by a Shepherd)

"Father Of Compassion" Sunday School Lesson from Psalm 103

This is a free Bible lesson for children teaching them about their Heavenly Father, the Father of Compassion.  It was first prepared for a Children’s Church setting but would work well as a Sunday School lesson also. Through a study of Psalm 103, the children will discover that God’s love is evident through His deeds over the course of history.  They will illustrate His compassion through artwork, act out His compassion through a game of charades, and

Father’s Day Sunday School Lesson

Use this lesson plan to teach about Father’s Day in your Sunday School. Dads are so important in God’s plan for the family, but in today’s world some kids simply don’t have that benefit. This lesson is sensitive the tough situation some kids face. It points to our Father God as the ultimate dad – because all human fathers fall short. “The One Perfect Father” Sunday School Lesson for Father’s Day This is a lesson is designed

“Taming the Tongue” James 3:1-12 Sunday School Lesson

Print off this Sunday School lesson about using the tongue to honor God. It is based on James three and will help children see that God is pleased when we speak in right ways. God himself is our example on righteous speech. This lesson was intended for a Sunday School classroom setting but could also be modified for a children’s church lesson about the tongue. Bible Truth: Good speech can honor God – using the tongue.Scripture: James