Teaching the Christmas Story to kids can be so much fun! It may even be the most wonderful time of the year! This round-up blog is filled with creative ideas to bring the stories of Gabriel’s visit to Mary, Jesus' birth, the shepherds and angels, and the wise men to life. From kid-friendly videos and crafts to activities and easy-to-follow lesson plans, you'll find everything you need to make teaching the Christmas story fun, meaningful, and memorable. Whether you're teaching in Sunday school, at a faith-based school, or home, these ideas will help children connect with the true meaning of Christmas.

What is the Christmas story in the Bible?

The Christmas Story tells the events of Jesus’ birth. It begins with a long-held prophecy of His arrival and then explains His miraculous conception and humble birth in a stable. It also describes those who came to worship Him after His arrival.

In the Bible, the birth of Jesus fulfills many prophecies throughout scripture.

This story is sometimes known as the Nativity Story. The word “Nativity” means “birth.” It refers to the circumstances surrounding a person’s birth. Most commonly, people use the word ‘nativity’ to describe the birth of Jesus. 

Four print-and-go lessons that make it EASY to teach the Christmas Story.

Don’t miss these scripted lessons, printable crafts, and take-home coloring pages, which make it easy to teach the nativity story to children in preschool through third grades.

(Find the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version HERE.)

Grab the Preschool/Kindergarten Version

Gabriel Visits Mary

For many people, Gabriel’s visit to Mary is the grand beginning of the Nativity story. This is the point where Mary learns that she is pregnant, and sets the story of the nativity in motion. This blog has plenty of engaging activities to help students learn this story, including reading comprehension passages, YouTube videos, and angel crafts.

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem

The birth of Jesus is the main event of the Nativity - the fulfillment of the promised Messiah. Don’t forget to talk about how Jesus wasn’t actually born in a barn, as is often depicted in Christmas stories. The Jesus is Born blog gives some great background information about Jesus’ birth. There are also many great crafts to engage kids in this story. Check out these Nativity Bible Lessons for Kids for ideas, including a traced-hand manger scene.

The Angels Visit Shepherds

Do you know why it was so significant that Jesus’ arrival was announced to shepherds first? The Shepherds and Angels blog breaks down some culturally significant background information for this story. It also has great crafts ideas and videos to accompany your lesson.

The Wise Men Visit

The story of the wise men concludes the Christmas story. When teaching about the wise men, don’t forget to tell the kids, that even though there is a Christmas song called “We Three Kings”, there might not have been three wise men. The wise men blog breaks this number down, and explains why we commonly think there were only three of them. It also has great kid-friendly ideas for teaching this nativity Bible story.

Regardless of the emphasis many put on Santa Claus, Christmas presents, and Christmas trees, the Nativity story is the central story of Christmas. Take time to teach your kids this story; they will remember it their whole lives. There are so many great activities that can make the Nativity engaging for preschool and elementary-aged kids.

The Christmas Bible story of the Shepherds and Angels is a joyful story that helps get kids excited about the Christmas season. This story highlights the angelic announcement to the shepherds and their journey to meet the newborn Savior, making it perfect for keeping younger kids engaged. There are plenty of creative ideas for kid-friendly videos, fun crafts, interactive worksheets, and easy-to-follow lesson plans that bring this story to life.

The Story of the shepherds and the angels

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”. These famous words are sung in various forms in Christmas songs during the holiday season and come from the story of the angels appearing to the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-20 tells the story of the Shepherds and Angels. The shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem, watching their flocks at night. Suddenly, a heavenly host of angels appeared to them. They told the shepherds of the arrival of the newborn Jesus. The shepherds immediately went to find Jesus and spread the word about him.

The Shepherds and Angels Bible Lessons

Are you looking for an easy way to teach about the Angel’s Visit to Shepherds? Grab a scripted lesson and printable craft perfect for 3-8-year-olds.

(See the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade Version HERE!)

Shop the Preschool/Kindergarten version

Background Information About The Shepherds

Shepherds were considered among the lowest people in society. Given that culture was based on status, this meant that most people looked down on shepherds. Yet, despite this, God chose the shepherds to be the first people to hear about Jesus. This is a beautiful reminder that God doesn’t care what society says about people. God thinks everyone is important!

Printable Crafts: The Shepherds and Angels

For a simple way to teach this Christmas Bible story, use our print-and-go lessons about the angels and shepherds.   These engaging lessons need almost no preparation and include a scripted lesson plan, a printable craft or activity, and a take-home worksheet to keep caregivers in the loop.

Pasture Scene Christmas Craft for Preschool

A printable Christmas craft for preschool and kindergarten. 

This printable Stars in the Sky craft is perfect for preschool. Kids will cut and paste the shepherds and angels onto the background. Then use stickers to decorate the night sky above the shepherds and their sheep.

Sheep Craft for Older Kids

A printable Bible craft for kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. 

Your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders will love this sheep made from folding paper like a fan. Using the template pieces provided in the bigger kids Bible lesson, kids will assemble a little sheep by accordion-folding a strip of paper and affixing the head and tail pieces to either end of the folded paper.

More Shepherd, Sheep, and Angel Crafts

• Be sure to check out my blog post “Gabriel and Mary - The Christmas Story” for several fabulous angel craft ideas, including a hand-print angel.

• Trueway Kids has a cute shepherd craft, with an accompanying YouTube instructions video.

• For a more involved, probably multi-day craft, check out this Christmas story craft idea from Let Their Light Shine.

Reading about the Nativity

Reading about the Symbols of the Nativity Story might help older kids make connections and form a deeper understanding of the story. This lesson includes reading from the Bible, comprehension questions, and a final craft to tie it all together.

YouTube videos about the shepherds and angels

• Saddleback Kids has a short video about Jesus and the Shepherds.

• Crossroads Kids’ Club has a great video describing how Jesus’ birth is part of God’s great story. It dives into the Old Testament with information about sin entering the world and how Jesus was part of God’s plan to fight sin. This video also includes an angel appearing to Mary, an angel appearing to Joseph, and the heavenly host appearing to shepherds.

• Crossroad Kids’ Club lands it again with another great video called Storytellers: Shepherds and Baby Jesus. This video describes why shepherds were so important, even though many people looked down on them. 

• For a 30-minute show of the whole Nativity story, check out The Beginner’s Bible “The Nativity”.

NEED MORE CHRISTMAS LESSONS?

Want to continue the series? This lesson is part of a four-lesson set designed to be taught in the weeks before Christmas.

The shepherds were the first people to meet Jesus and worship him. This is a wonderful story to invite students into worshiping Jesus too. Whether in Sunday School, in a faith-based school, or at home, there are plenty of ways to engage students in the Nativity story.

Teaching the Christmas Bible story, Jesus is Born, to kids is a heartwarming way to share the true meaning of Christmas. This beloved nativity story captures the miracle of Jesus’ birth and provides a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about God’s love in a fun, engaging way. There are plenty of creative teaching ideas, kid-friendly videos, interactive crafts, and simple activities to help children understand and remember the significance of the Nativity.

The Story

Luke 2 records the story of Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem near the end of Mary’s pregnancy because they had to register for the census. While there, the time came for Mary to have the baby. When Jesus was born, Mary laid him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them. 

‘Jesus is Born’ Bible Lesson

Are you looking for an easy way to teach about the birth of Jesus? Grab the scripted lessons and printable craft that is just perfect for kids!

(See the Preschool/Kindergarten Version HERE)

SHOP THE 1ST, 2ND, AND 3RD GRADE VERSION

Background Information About the Birth of Jesus

We celebrate Christmas (AKA the birth of Jesus) on December 25, but this is probably not the actual day Jesus was born. The Roman Catholic Church started celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336 CE to replace a pagan holiday, and we continue to celebrate Christmas on this day.

Many people know the story of Jesus being born in a stable, but the Bible doesn’t say this. It says Mary lay him in a manager because there was no guest room available. In Bethlehem, people did not use wooden stables, like those so often depicted in books and movies. They kept their animals in caves or the lower level of their homes. So it is more likely that Mary gave birth in a cave or the lower level of a house where animals were kept.

Printable Manger Crafts

Dive into this Christmas Bible story with our print-and-go lessons about Jesus’ birth.  These engaging lessons need almost no preparation and include a scripted lesson plan, a printable craft or activity, and a take-home worksheet to keep caregivers in the loop.

Manger Scene Craft for Preschoolers

A Christmas Bible craft for preschoolers. 

For a simple cut-and-paste manger scene, check out ‘Jesus is Born' for preschoolers. Using the template pieces provided, kids will assemble a simple manger with Jesus lying on the hay.

Manger Scene Craft for Bigger Kids

A Christmas Bible craft for 6, 7, and 8-year-olds. 

For 1st, 2nd and 3rd-graders, this traced-hands manger scene is perfect. Kids will trace their hands and arrange the handprints to form the hay of the manger. Then Jesus will be laid atop the hay.

More Crafts for the Birth of Jesus

• Check out No Time for Flashcards’ nativity scene. Kids will cut out various shapes and arrange them to form the nativity scene.

• This Popsicle Stick Manger by The Keeper of the Cheerios is a classic kids’ craft.

• For a more preschool-friendly version of the popsicle stick manger, don’t miss this nativity craft from the Farmhouse Mama.

Reading about the Nativity

Reading about the symbols of the Nativity Story might help older kids make connections and form a deeper understanding of the story. This set of Bible-based reading passages, comprehension questions, and final craft looks at the Biblical story of Christmas and focuses on the main characters and symbols found within.

CHRISTMAS WORKSHEETS

For easy printable activities, check out Christmas Morning Work for Kindergarten or these Bible-based Christmas worksheets for older kids.

YouTube videos about the story of Jesus’ Birth

• Saddleback Kids has a short video about the birth of Jesus.

• This is another Saddleback Kids video that animates Luke 2:1-20.

• Crossroads Kids’ Club has a great video describing how Jesus’ birth is part of God’s great story. It dives into the Old Testament with information about sin entering the world and how Jesus was part of God’s plan to fight sin. This video includes an angel appearing to Mary, an angel appearing to Joseph, and the heavenly host appearing to shepherds.

• Don’t miss The Birth of Jesus by Minno—Bible Stories for Kids. This video discusses the Old Testament promises God made to Abraham and how Jesus is the promised Messiah.

• For a 30-minute show of the whole Nativity story, check out The Beginner’s Bible “The Nativity”.

NEED MORE CHRISTMAS LESSONS?

Want to continue the series? This lesson is part of a four-lesson set designed to be taught in the weeks before Christmas.

The story of Jesus’ birth is the pinnacle of Christmas. Whether the teaching is happening in Sunday School, faith-based schools, or at home, these ideas will help learning the Nativity story more fun and memorable for kids.

Teaching the Bible story of the angel Gabriel's Visit to Mary to kids is a wonderful way to introduce them to the joy and wonder of God's plan. This powerful Christmas Bible story of the angel Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary offers rich opportunities for engaging lessons, creative crafts, and hands-on activities that bring the message to life. In this post, you’ll find simple yet effective teaching ideas, fun crafts, and easy-to-follow lesson plans that can be used in Sunday School, in faith-based schools, or at home. These ideas will engage children while helping them understand the significance of Mary's faith and obedience to God's plan.

The Christmas bible Story - Gabriel and Mary

Luke 1:26-38 tells the story of Gabriel’s visit to Mary. Mary was a virgin and had been promised to marry a man named Joseph. Gabriel, an angel from God, appeared to her and told Mary she would give birth to God’s Son. Gabriel told her that she was to name the baby Jesus. Mary marveled at the angel’s words and trusted God.

The EASY way to teach this Christmas Bible lesson.

Are you ready to lead a Bible lesson on Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel? Click to grab our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts.

Grab the preschool/kindergarten version here.

grab the 1st-3rd grade version.

background information about Mary and Gabriel

While it might not be appropriate to go into the details and definition of the word ‘virgin’ depending on your teaching context, there are some other interesting things about this story to teach the kids.

• Women in Bible times were married young, so Mary was likely a teenager when Gabriel appeared to her. 

• Gabriel is an angel. Angel means ‘messenger’. Gabriel appears three other times in the Bible - twice to Daniel (Daniel 8:15-26 and Daniel 9:21-27), and he appears to Zechariah in Luke 1:11-22. He might have appeared more, but the angels go unnamed in other Bible stories.

printable Christmas crafts

Dive into this Christmas Bible story with our print-and-go lessons about Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel.  These engaging lessons need almost no preparation and include a scripted lesson plan, a printable craft or activity, and a take-home worksheet to keep caregivers in the loop.

Angel Craft for Preschool

A printable angel craft for preschoolers and kindergarten students. 

Create a simple angel by tracing hands and using the hand-prints as wings. For easy instructions and templates for the craft, check out ‘An Angel Visits Mary’ Bible lesson for preschool and kindergarten.

Angel Craft for Bigger Kids

A printable Christmas angel craft for bigger kids. 

Your kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade will love this printable angel craft. Use the template pieces provided in ‘An Angel Visits Mary’ (the bigger kids’ version) and have kids cut and assemble the angel.

more bible christmas crafts

The following crafts and activities would pair nicely with a Christmas Bible lesson that touches on this part of the nativity story.

• For a similar craft, including video instructions, check out The Little Crafties “How to Make Paper Christmas Angel Craft”

• Crafty Morning has a cute idea for Paper Plate Christmas Angels. Be sure to check out her website for step-by-step instructions. This craft is appropriate for both preschool kids and older kids.

• For another simple angel craft, check out Our Kid Things’ “Cupcake Liner Angel Craft”.

YouTube Videos about the story of Mary

These YouTube videos are a great way to help your kids understand the story in a whole new way. As always, please watch the video(s) in their entirety before showing them to your class.

• This video by Crossroads Kids’ Club is a detailed introduction to Mary. The video includes information about who she is, Gabriel’s visit, and how she cared for Jesus as he grew. The story goes into more depth than just the story of Mary and Gabriel, but kids might find this information interesting. Most importantly, this video points to Jesus!

• This Saddleback Kids video depicts the story of Mary and Gabriel. It also includes information about Mary and Joseph.

• For a 30-minute show of the whole Nativity story, check out The Beginner’s Bible “The Nativity”.

Need more Christmas lessons?

Want to continue the series? This lesson is part of a four-lesson set designed to be taught in the weeks before Christmas.

Are you seeking an engaging Bible lesson for kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades this Thanksgiving? Teaching the story of Jesus Healing Ten Lepers is a powerful way to help kids understand the importance of gratitude. This miraculous healing not only shows Jesus' compassion but also highlights the significance of giving thanks, as only one of the ten healed lepers returned to express gratitude. Discover creative ways to teach this story through kid-friendly videos, engaging activities, fun crafts, and lesson plans. These resources will help children grasp the key lessons of thankfulness and the joy of expressing gratitude to God.

The Story of the healing of ten lepers

In Luke 17:11-19 we are told the story of when ten lepers approached Jesus as he was traveling on his way to Jerusalem. Along the road, ten lepers approached Jesus and said, “Jesus, have mercy on us.” Jesus told them to go and present themselves to the priest. As they were walking away, they were healed! Only one of the men returned to thank Jesus, throwing himself at Jesus’ feet with gratitude. 

Thanksgiving Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for an easy way to teach about gratitude this Thanksgiving? Grab a scripted lesson, easy activity, and printable craft perfect for 3-8-year-olds.

(See the preschool/kindergarten version HERE!)

shop the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version

What is Gratitude and Why is it Important? 

Gratitude is feeling thankful and appreciative of the good things in your life. It is taking time to stop and think about things that you can be thankful for, such as physical items, people, and even life circumstances.

The most common way to express gratitude is by saying “thank you” and showing appreciation with your actions. However, showing gratitude for a gift isn’t just saying “thank you; it’s also treating the gift with care.

What the Bible Says About Gratitude

The Bible clearly outlines that gratitude is important. Here are just a few verses:

• “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-2

• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV. 

  • God gives good gifts, and He is worthy of our thanks!

brainstorm things to be thankful for

For many kids, the question, “What are you thankful for?” can be quite overwhelming. I suggest breaking it down into categories to help your kids think through all of the blessings in their lives. I like to talk about…

• People we are thankful for

• Things in nature that we are thankful for

• Things in our house that we are thankful for

• Things in our community that we are thankful for

• Something we are thankful that we can do

Try writing these down on a piece of paper or adding them to a thankful tree. This particular tree template is a part of this Thanksgiving Lesson for 1st-3rd Grade.

Printable Thankful Craft

After we have brainstormed everything we are thankful for, it’s time for a printable craft! In this craft, kids will cut out the pieces to make a flower. On each petal, they will write (or draw) one thing that they are thankful for. This printable craft is included in both the Preschool/Kindergarten thanksgiving lesson as well as the 1st-3rd grade version.

more activities to build thankfulness and gratitude

• Sing Songs: There are some awesome songs about giving thanks to God. Here are a few examples:

• Thank You, Lord, for Making Me by Vince Parlow is a delightful song for preschool-aged students.

• Thankful from Roar! VBS by Group Publishing

• Elevation Worship’s Grateful

• Elevation Worship’s Praise

• Thank You Cards: Take a moment to write (or draw) a thank you card to God, telling Him all the things you are thankful for

• Thankfulness Popcorn: Do a quick activity where kids crouch on the ground. Then, they take turns popping up like popcorn and saying something they are thankful for. The beauty of this activity is kids can take multiple turns or stay silent, but it will help them brainstorm ideas.

• Thankful Journals: Take time to have kids write about or draw pictures of what they are thankful for.

YouTube videos About the Ten Lepers

When teaching the story of Jesus Healing the Ten Lepers, it’s always fun to have a video on hand. These are some of the best video versions available.

• Check out Crossroads Kids Club’s God Story: Jesus and the Ten Lepers for a great story overview. The video also delves into ways to say thank you.

• Crossroad Kids Club has another video about this story, entitled "We can thank God!" This slightly longer video explains the importance of giving thanks and also explains the story of the Ten Lepers.

• The Thankful Leper by Saddleback Kids is a short video about the story.

Whether it’s at home, in a faith-based school, or Sunday School, thankfulness is such a beautiful concept for kids to learn and the story of the Ten Lepers is a great reminder of the importance of showing gratitude to God.

The Fruit of the Spirit is a familiar concept to Christians and, as Christ-followers, these are qualities we should be shining into the world. It can sometimes feel daunting when it comes to teaching our children Biblical truths, but it doesn’t have to be. So here are some fun ideas and crafts for teaching children all about the Fruit of the Spirit.

What is the Fruit of the Spirit?

To start, the Fruit of the Spirit is not a checklist of things that we should be. The Fruit of the Spirit are qualities that God grows in our hearts as we deepen our relationship with Him. Choosing to stay close to God can help us to show the Fruit. Just like a friendship takes time to strengthen and deepen, we need to put the time in to strengthen and deepen our relationship with God. This can be done when we sing worship songs, pray, read the Bible, and attend church. 

Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (NIV). I learned the word “patience” instead of “forbearance”, and depending on which translation of the Bible you use, it will say “patience”. 

Everything You Need to Teach the Fruit of the Spirit

Are you ready to teach the Fruit of the Spirit? Grab 9 scripted lesson plans and engaging printable crafts with this set of lessons perfect for preschool to third grades. (See the 1st-3rd grade version here.)

shop the preschool and kindergarten version

How do you explain Fruit of the Spirit to kids? 

The Holy Spirit transforms us to be more like Jesus. The Fruit of the Spirit are things that Jesus exhibited while here on Earth. 

In our Fruit of the Spirit 9-lesson set, we use seeds and dirt as an object lesson to teach this concept. (A full script and materials list is available in the complete lesson plans).

As a group, plant some seeds in little pots of dirt. Remind students that plants need sun, water, soil, and air to grow. It takes time, and plants don’t magically appear moments after planting a seed. Similarly, the Fruit of the Spirit requires time to grow. When we spend time with God, the Fruit of the Spirit grows in us.

kid-friendly fruit of the spirit definitions

The 'Fruit of the Spirit' teaching posters break down the definitions of each characteristic into kid-friendly terms. They're included in BOTH the preschool/kindergarten and 1st-3rd grade lesson sets. 

Many of the Fruit of the Spirit are concepts kids will understand because they are words they have heard and used. Some words will require some extra explanation. For example, what is the difference between kindness and goodness? What is the difference between gentleness and self-control?

Love: Caring about someone, helping them, and keeping them safe.

Joy: Gladness knowing that God is in control of all the details. He is always with us!

Peace: Living together with other people in harmony.

Patience: Waiting calmly and keeping going when things are hard.

Kindness: Being thoughtful and putting the needs of others first, even when they are not being kind to you.

Goodness: Showing others kindness, generosity, and love for the right reason.

Faithfulness: Being trustworthy and standing up for what is right, even when it is hard.

Gentleness: Being calm and tender in what you say and do. It is making sure that what you say and do does not hurt others or yourself.

Self-Control: Listening and doing what God wants you to do, rather than doing what you want to do.

They’re also available in the 1st-3rd grade version.

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videos about the fruit of the spirit

These age-appropriate YouTube videos are a great way to supplement your lessons on the Fruit of the Spirit. As always, I suggest watching them in their entirety before playing them for your class. Keep an eye out for tricky YouTube ads.

• Uncle Charlie Ministries - Fruit of the Spirit Song - A fun, fast-paced song to teach students the Fruit of the Spirit

• Crossroad Kids’ Club God’s Story: Fruit of the Spirit - This short video gives a good overview of the Fruit of the Spirit and explains the importance of thinking, talking, and acting like Jesus. 

• Crossroad Kids’ Club also has videos for each Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

• Douglas Talks are fabulous videos that define and give examples of each Fruit of the Spirit. Check them out: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

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Nine weeks of hands-on fruit of the spirit lessons and crafts

Incorporating stories, visuals, crafts, and activities is a great way to engage students while they learn about the Fruit of the Spirit. This is true for both preschoolers and bigger kids.

Crafts from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version. 

Our complete Fruit of the Spirit units include Bible stories, printable crafts, coloring pages, and a take-home page so parents and caregivers can be welcomed into the teaching. This Fruit of the Spirit unit for Bigger Kids includes the same features but also includes the crafts and activities that are appropriate for older children, and journal writing pages.  

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fruit of the spirit Crafts and Activities

There are a myriad of crafts and activities that can go along with teaching the Fruit of the Spirit. Here are just a few examples:

• Find specific Bible stories to pair with each of the Fruit. For example, pair the story of the Good Samaritan with love. Pair the story of Paul and Silas in jail (Acts 16:16-36) with joy. From there, choose activities and crafts that match the specific Bible story.

• This Simple Home has some fabulous Fruit of the Spirit object lesson ideas. One of the ideas is to make a real fruit salad, but have vegetables ready to dump in. Kids will be dismayed that vegetables might go in the fruit salad. Explain that these represent things that do not come from God - things like anger, gluttons, and greed.

• The Sunday School Network has a cute idea for creating a fruit loop bracelet to help students learn the Fruit of the Spirit.

• Draw or Paint a Fruit of the Spirit tree. Have kids create a tree using crayons, pencils, or paints. Then draw various fruits and label them with the Fruit of the Spirit.

• Children’s Ministry Deals has created a list of hands-on games for each Fruit of the Spirit. For instance, they suggest playing a game of Apple Tower when learning about self-control. This is a game where players stack apples on top of each other to see who gets the tallest tower. Apple Tower takes control, just like it takes self-control to do the right thing. Be sure to check out their other ideas!

Galatians 6:9-10 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (NIV). So let’s teach our children how to shine Jesus to others through the Fruit of the Spirit.

I spend a lot of time reading Bibles designed for little kids. It’s partially because I have a 5-year-old at home, and partially because I write and design Bible lessons for preschoolers. I’ve read at least a dozen kids’ Bibles cover-to-cover, and they aren’t all created equally. I’m often asked if I can recommend a favorite Children’s Bible for preschoolers and kindergarten students, so I thought I’d put together a post of my current favorites.

Please note: None of the links in the post below are affiliate links. Most link to the publisher or official website for each book.

What do you look for in a children’s bible?

The first thing I look for in a children’s Bible, especially when reading to kids kindergarten-age and younger, is text that can easily be understood by younger kids. Is the theology broken down in a way kids will understand? Are the sentences simple enough that I’m not having to recap the story at the end of every paragraph?

It’s also important to me that the children’s Bible is written with age-appropriate takeaways from each story. While all of scripture is God-breathed, some of the stories and ideas are best suited for older children and adults. My 5-year-old is easily frightened and tends to fixate on the scarier parts of a Bible story, so we look for a kids’ Bible that doesn’t dive too deeply into the ‘scary’ moments of the Bible.

52 Weeks of Preschool Bible Lessons

Looking to make the Bible come alive for 3-6 year olds? These preschool Bible lessons and printable crafts are the perfect compliment to any children’s Bible.

see it on etsy

Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by sarah young

The Jesus Calling Storybook is hands-down my favorite kids’ Bible. The storytelling is excellent, it’s easy to read, and it summarizes stories in a way that is perfect for preschoolers. It does such a great job at keeping the stories age-appropriate. I was particularly impressed with how the story of Abraham and Isaac was written. It highlighted God’s mercy and the foreshadowing of the Lamb of God without completely terrifying my 5-year-old.

Most stories also end with a section that is very similar to the adult versions of ‘Jesus Calling’. These short passages are written in first-person from God and help to explain the main takeaways. My daughter loves them!

The Beginner’s Bible from Zondervan Kids

This Beginner’s Bible is a classic. I believe I even had a version of it in my childhood home in the 90’s. It’s been around forever, and for good reason! This is the very first Bible I ever read to my daughter. It does a great job of retelling most of the Bible in very simple terms. It doesn’t do any interpretation of the stories, or connect them to the larger story of Jesus, but it’s a great starting point for preschoolers. I highly recommend this one for kids in the 2, 3, and 4-year-old range. It’s a great starter Bible and the perfect way to introduce these stories for the first time.

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones

The Jesus Storybook Bible is one of the most popular kids’ Bibles on the market, and with good reason. The book beautifully retells many classic Bible stories in a way that connects them to the overarching story of Jesus and redemption. It’s a beautiful book for both children and adults.

That being said, I don’t recommend it for kids under 6 or 7 years old. The stories are long, sometimes too long for a preschooler’s attention, and it draws connections and parallels that go above their heads. If you already have this version, I’d hang on to it until your kids are in grade school. (Spoiler: It’s my top choice for that age group!)

If you would like some more preschool-friendly materials by Sally Lloyd-Jones, she has a board book series of psalms written in kid-friendly language. The series is growing, but some of the titles include Near: Psalm 139, Found: Psalm 23, Strong: Psalm 1, and Happy: Psalm 92.

Sally Lloyd-Jones also has a board book called Loved: The Lord’s Prayer. But I should mention that this book refers to God as ‘Daddy’. And I know people have differing opinions on using that language when referring to God,

The Ology by Marty Machowski

Surprise! This final book is NOT a children’s Bible. Well, not really. I know that this is a list of the best Bibles for kids… so why am I including something else on this list?

As a parent and Sunday School teacher, The Ology is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and it’s deeply impacted how I explain the Bible to children. The book breaks down most Biblical theology into kid-friendly terms and does it in a way that’s so easy to understand.

If you’re a parent or teacher of preschoolers, I highly recommend reading this book as background knowledge. Preschoolers are full of so many questions about the Bible, and this is a great source to run to if you find yourself unable to explain trickier Biblical concepts. As your kids grow, this also becomes the perfect book to read aloud to your older kids.

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I’d love to know if you have any children’s Bibles you absolutely LOVE that you think I should add to this list. Please add them in the comments, or message me directly.

What does it mean to have courage? And how do we teach lessons about courage to our students in our classrooms or Sunday school?  Do we tell them to bravely face each problem without fear? Do we tell our Sunday school students that courage means fear is gone altogether? Does courage mean that we aren't scared of anything?

Teaching little people about courage can be a tough concept to tackle, especially when little fears can seem like such a big deal. Or when we just don't know what tomorrow, or next week, or next month will hold.  But that's the thing, courage isn't the absence of fears or things to be afraid of.  Courage is a choice to do the right thing even if we are afraid.  Say that one out loud.  Write it down somewhere that you can see every day.  (I put it on a post-it note beside my bed!) 

Bible Stories that Help to Teach Courage

There are so many great Bible stories to help show our students examples of real men and women who had to make the choice to do the right thing even if they were afraid.  Here are a few of my favorites…

• David and Goliath

• Esther

• Daniel in the Den of Lions

Where Does Courage Come From?

Our students need to understand that this courage to do what is right doesn't come from themselves, it comes from God!  We can be brave and have courage because courage comes from Him.  We can choose to make the next right choice because our strength and courage is not our own. 

Are you looking to teach your elementary student more about what the Bible has to say about courage?  Bible-Based Character, Courage explores courage from a Bible-based perspective and is perfect for Christian Schools, Sunday Schools, and Children's Church. 

Grab this free courage journalling activity and try out a courage lesson right now.

Looking for a little more?

There’s a whole set of Bible Based Character Education lessons themed around COURAGE ready for your classroom or Sunday School.

grab all of the lessons

When I’m teaching at a Christian school my number one goal each year is to help my students to fall in love with Jesus. Sure, I want them to meet and exceed government standards, and become confident and capable citizens... but the top priority is to see my students live and thrive in their relationship with Christ. I think that one of the most important ways to do this is through a knowledge of the 'stories' in the Bible.  All of the Bible is God's love letter to us, His children, and ultimately paints an amazing picture of grace and redemption.

I can remember my first year teaching.  I casually said something along the lines of...

"Wow! It is really raining outside!  This must be what Noah felt like on the Ark."

Only 2/3 of my class understood what I was talking about.  Two-thirds of my class of third-graders in a Christian school.

I investigated further.  At least seven of my precious little kiddos were unfamiliar with the story of Noah's Ark.  Or Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors.  Or Jonah and the Whale.  Or Daniel in the Lion's Den.   You get the idea.

I learned an important lesson that day - we cannot assume that all of our students in Christian schools (or Sunday School) have basic Biblical background knowledge.  I got to work right away making Bible plans to help fill in some of these 'gaps' for my precious kiddos. Together, we worked through many of the ‘big’ stories in the Bible.

We created books to go along with each story...

Like this one about the  Garden of Eden! We learned the important details of each story and started to memorize verses... (Noah's Ark)

We learned new Bible story-specific vocabulary...

We made crafts...

For the first time all of my students knew The Creation Story!

Overall we really deepened our knowledge of God's word. 

Through our Bible Story Small Group, it was amazing to watch some of my students learn these stories for the first time, and watch others make deeper connections with stories they already knew and loved.

All of my Bible Story units are designed to be useful for a K-5 classroom in Christian School, homeschool, or Sunday School classroom.  There are currently more than 12 units available.

How does your class, Sunday School class, or children, like to study the Bible?  What inspires you to learn more about Jesus? Share your best ideas in the comments below!

If you’re curious to try a Bible story unit, or need something quick for a Sunday School lesson… I have a new Bible Story lesson all about Esther, The Brave Queen. It’s a sample version of my larger story units, and it’s totally free. It includes scripted lessons, Bible memory, student books, and early finisher activities. Perfect to print and try. E-mail subscribers can try it for free, it’s the perfect way to see if my Bible story units will work for you and your class.

Trying to fit in daily time to read the Bible can be tricky in grade three, but I feel that it’s important… especially at a Christian school. My grade three literacy program is part Daily 5, part Literacy Place, part Reading Power, and part 6-Traits. I haven’t ever found one program that completely fits the needs of my students, so I have always borrowed from the best parts of the most quality reading and writing programs on the market. Each day, my students sit for 20-25 minutes of independent, sustained Read to Self time.

In our room, this is treasured time.

My students need the time both to practice their reading, and to have a small amount of time that is calm and quiet. They treasure this time as much as I do, and heaven help us if this block has to be moved for some reason! Most of the time, students can choose to read any book (or magazine, or comic) that they would like as long as it is usually at their level.

read to self time with bibles

However, on Wednesdays, we spend the entire Read to Self block in our Bibles.We are so lucky to have a class set of Bibles that are assigned to each student.We have New International Reader's Version Bibles that are just about perfect for a third-grade reading level.

I think that it is so important to cultivate a classroom culture that places an emphasis on the Word as being important.  Building strong spiritual disciplines starts early, and the Christian classroom is a great place for this.  How can I teach and tell my students that reading their Bibles is important if we are not spending time to do that during class time? How can I talk about how important it is for them to fall in love with God’s Word if I am not setting that example myself?

How to help students navigate their Bibles while they read

Before our time in the Word begins, I stand at the board and help students to navigate their Bibles.They will yell out topics and stories that they want to read about, and I will (to the best of my ability) point them to the Book/Chapter in the Bible that they will head to.

Sure, there are parts of the Bible that they won’t yet be able to understand, and some of it is above their reading level, but that doesn’t mean that they are too young to start the habit of reading from a Bible for enjoyment. 

Spoiler Alert: The boys like the stories about battles, fierce animals, and God showing his POWER!I cannot tell you how full my heart feels during this block. It’s amazing to look around the room and see a class full of students enraptured by the Bible. I love it when students skip up to share something new that they have discovered, or just cannot wait to tell a friend about what they have read.

Even though we only have scheduled “Wednesdays in the Word” so many of my students have begun pulling out their Bibles for Read to Self much more than one day a week. It’s such a joy to watch the Spirit move in our classroom through the hearts and minds of these little ones.