The Gospel Project for Kids - Info Guide by LifeWay Christian Resources

Kids

How It Helps The Gospel Project® for Kids helps you teach kids to: Use Week of:

1. See the Big Story

VOLUME 

INTRODUCE THE STORY

TEACH THE STORY

APPLY THE STORY

1015 MINUTES

2530 MINUTES

PAGE 10

PAGE 12

PAGE 18

p: If you prefer o avoid themed ontent and haracters, adapt omit this troduction.

Colossians 1:16-17 says that everything was created by Him and for Him, and He holds everything together. Through creation, we see and understand God’s eternal power and divine nature. (Rom. 1:20) As you begin teaching kids about creation, help them discover who God is. Remind boys and girls that God created everything with a purpose: to bring Him glory. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.” The Book of Genesis is the beginning of the greatest story ever told. It is a true story, and at the center of it all is the true hero: our Savior, Jesus Christ. This story changes everything.

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

The Leader Guides and Activity Pages provide a deep, Christ-centered Bible study experience for all ages—babies through preteens. Kids will understand that all Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, gives testimony to Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:16b-17 Who is God? God is our Creator and King.

G PICTURE QUESTION:

ader attire ble

The story of Jesus does not begin in a manger. The Son has always existed, and He was present at creation. He is the Word through whom all things were created. (John 1:1-3)

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who is God? God is our Creator and King.

God Created Everything

Younger Kids Leader Guide Unit 1 • Session 1

2. Read Scripture as Christ-centered

BLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1 The Big Picture Questions and Answers are designedand toeverything help kidsHeunderstand ORY POINT: God created everything, created was essential good. theological doctrines of the Christian faith.

untdown video he Big Story” video optional)

The Bible says that God’s plan existed before He created the world. (Eph. 1:4-6) The Bible tells the story of how a great God redeemed rebellious people by sending His Son, Jesus, to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.

KEY PASSAGE: Colossians 1:16b-17

In the Beginning Younger Kids Leader Guide

The first story—in fact, every story in the Bible—is a small piece of a much bigger story: God’s redemptive story. Sin would enter the world and affect everything, but God already knew. He already had a plan to show His grace to people through His Son (2 Tim. 1:9), to rescue and restore.

STORY POINT: God created everything, and everything He created was good.

The Gospel Project® for Kids immerses kids in the gospel through every story, theological concept, and call to mission from Genesis to Revelation. Kids will understand the Bible is not just a collection of stories, but one unified story— God’s story of redemption and provision.

Grasp Essential Christian Doctrines SSION TITLE: God Created the World

om decorations eme Background lide (optional)

In the beginning, God created everything. God created the universe ex nihilo, or “out of nothing.” All of creation began with a word. When God spoke, it happened: light, land, sky, stars, plants, and animals. God made them all, and they were good. Creation was perfect, just as God intended.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1

INTRODUCE the Story

Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Decorate the room to look like a repair shop. Place a table on stage and scatter various metal parts, nuts, bolts, or gears around it. Use a pegboard to create a place to hang some tools, or paint foam board to look like a pegboard and tools. You may display a few items in need of repair, such as a bicycle, a lawn mower, or a vacuum cleaner.

God Created the World Genesis 1 God created everything, and everything He created was

BIBLE PASSAGE:

OPTION 1: Duck-duck-zoo Instruct the kids to sit in a circle. Choose a kid to be It. She will walk around the circle of kids, gently tapping each kid’s head saying “duck.” She will select a kid to chase her by Colossians 1:16b-17 saying another animal, such as monkey, when she taps that BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who is God? God is our Creator and King. Younger Kids Activity Pages kid’s head. He must stand up and chase It around the circle. Unit 1 • Session 1 must move and make sounds like the animal Both children God Created The World It called out when choosing her chaser. If the chaser tags It before she sits in his spot, It must sit in the center of the own creature. Welcome time circle until another kid takes her place. Otherwise, she sits Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect in his spot. The chaser becomes It in the next round. STORY: the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and helpBIBLE new kids SAY • It is fun to pretend to be different animals. Today Godtheir has always existed. connect to your group. As kids arrive ask them •about we will learn about the creation of the world. God favorite animals. Why do they like the animals •they chose? God created the universe in six created the land and the sea and all the animals on Ask them who made all the animals. days. the earth. Everything God created was good. SAY • Those are some great choices for favorite animal. All • God created things we can see and kinds of fascinating creatures live in our world. Some things we cannot see. OPTION 2: Land and sea creatures swim, some fly, and others crawl along the Place a tarp or drop cloth on the floor. Set on the tarp a • God created everything, and ground. Today we will learn that God made all the everything He createdlarge was plastic good.tub with water and another large tub with sand. animals, as well as all the different places where the Allow kids to play in the sand and the water with their animals live. hands. Make sure kids dry or wipe off their hands before KEY PASSAGE: switching to the other tub. Activity page (5 minutes) Colossians 1:16b-17 SAY • God created the oceans and the land. He filled the Invite kids to complete the “Creature Factory” activity page. • “Creature Factory” oceans with sea creatures and covered the land with activity page, Encourage kids to mix and match different features BIG from PICTURE QUESTION: plants and animals. Today we will learn about when 1 per kid real animals to come up with a pretend animal •of Who their own. is God? God is our creator • pencils or markers God made all the wonderful things we see in nature. SAY • It’s fun to imagine new creatures by mixing different and king. How do you think God created everything? Why do parts of creatures that exist, like a horse with wings. you think He created things? God did not need to parts to create animals. God FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS: created the world out of nothing, and all His • Why is it important that God Transition to teach the story creations were good. STORY POINT:

good.

KEY PASSAGE:

Creature Factory INSTRUCTIONS:

Use the different creature parts to mix and match to make your

created everything? • Who decides if something is good? • If God created everything good, why is there evil in the world?

Younger Kids Leader Guide

eventually. But this wasn’t always the case. When the world was brand new, everything was good and perfect, and nothing ever broke. That may sound pretty diﬀerent, but it’s the truth. You see, this here [hold up Bible] is my Bible. The Bible is God’s Word and it tells us what is true about God, about ourselves, and about the world we live in. Would you all like me to tell you the story of when everything was new and perfect? [Allow responses.] All right! Let’s get started.

Unit 1 • Session 1

Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as the session begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes) [Leader enters wearing greasy overalls and a tool belt. He or she is carrying a Bible.] LEADER • Well hey, everyone! I wasn’t expecting visitors today, or I might have changed into some cleaner clothes. Welcome to my repair shop. I love to work on fixing broken things to make them as good as new. Occasionally I’ll use leftover parts to build something totally new, but that’s a bit harder than fixing something that someone else already invented. You know, just about everything breaks down

• large plastic tubs, 2 • sand • water • tarp or drop cloth (optional) • towels for cleanup

God Created Everything

FAMILY ACTIVITY:

• Use craft supplies to make art. Talk to your kids about the diﬀerence between our ability to make things using materials we find around us, and God’s ability to create things from nothing.

DOWNLOAD the

LIFEWAY KIDS APP

Big picture question (1 minute) • The first thing we need is our big picture question. That will help us know part of the big picture about what our Bible story teaches us. I’ll say it once, then you repeat after me. Ready? Who is God? Now all together: Who is God? Great job. TEACH the StoryAs you listen to the story, see if you can figure out the answer. We’ll talk more about it soon.

LEADER

God Created the World Genesis 1 God created everything, and everything He created was

SESSION TITLE:

Countdown

Session starter (10 minutes)

SESSION TITLE:

EACH the Story 3.

Y PASSAGE:

LEADER Bible Study

Unit 1 • Session 1

God Created the World

BIBLE PASSAGE: STORY POINT:

good.

Colossians 1:16b-17 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who is God? God is our Creator and King. KEY PASSAGE:

Giant timeline (1 minute)

• room decorations • Theme Background Slide (optional)

Show the giant timeline. • Giant Timeline LEADER • Now that we know what big picture question we are going to answer in this story, we need to check our timeline. This helps us see how all the different stories in the Bible are really painting one big picture about God’s plan for the world. Today’s story is about the very first thing that happened in the12 universe. Before this story happened, there was no universe! There was nothing but God, who has always existed. Our story is called “God Created the World,” and it is the beginning of the larger story of the Bible. Countdown

• countdown video • “The Big Story” video (optional)

Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as the session begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes)

• leader attire • Bible

Tip: If you prefer to avoid themed content and characters, adapt or omit this introduction.

[Leader enters wearing greasy overalls and a tool belt. He or she is carrying a Bible.] LEADER • Well hey, everyone! I wasn’t expecting visitors today, or I might have changed into some cleaner clothes. Welcome to my repair shop. I love to work on fixing broken things to make them as good as new. Occasionally I’ll use leftover parts to build something totally new, but that’s a bit harder than fixing something that someone else already invented. You know, just about everything breaks down Younger Kids Leader Guide Unit 1 • Session 1

Big picture question (1 minute) • The first thing we need is our big picture question. That will help us know part of the big picture about what our Bible story teaches us. I’ll say it once, then you repeat after me. Ready? Who is God? Now all together: Who is God? Great job. As you listen to the story, see if you can figure out the answer. We’ll talk more about it soon.

LEADER

Giant timeline (1 minute) Show the giant timeline. • Giant Timeline • Now that we know what big picture question we are going to answer in this story, we need to check our timeline. This helps us see how all the different stories in the Bible are really painting one big picture about God’s plan for the world. Today’s story is about the very first thing that happened in the universe. Before this story happened, there was no universe! There was nothing but God, who has always existed. Our story is called “God Created the World,” and it is the beginning of the larger story of the Bible. LEADER

God Created Everything

How it Works Use Week of:

1. Chronological Timeline of Bible Events

LEADER Bible Study

Unit 1 • Session 1

God Created the World BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 1

Using a chronological approach, kids will see how Christ fits into the whole Bible, from pre-creation to eternity. Kids will begin to understand the timeline of the overarching Bible story.

STORY POINT: God created everything, and it was good.

KEY PASSAGE: Colossians 1:16b-17

The story of Jesus does not begin in a manger. God the Son has always existed, and He was present at creation. He is the Word through whom all things were created. (John 1:1-3) Colossians 1:16-17 says that everything was created by Him and for Him, and He holds everything together. Through creation, we see and understand God’s eternal power and divine nature. (Rom. 1:20)

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who is God? God is our Creator and King.

INTRODUCE THE STORY

TEACH THE STORY

EXPERIENCE THE STORY

1520 MINUTES

1015 MINUTES

2025 MINUTES

PAGE 10

PAGE 12

PAGE 14

2. Creative Teaching Elements

As you begin teaching preschoolers about creation, help them discover who God is. Remind boys and girls that God created everything with a purpose: to bring Him glory. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.”

Each week, Bible stories are brought to life through: • Bible story videos • “Questions from Kids” videos for younger and older kids • Music for all ages • Coloring pages for preschool and younger kids • Fun activity sheets • Hands-on activities

The Book of Genesis is the beginning of the greatest story ever told. It is a true story, and at the center of it all is the true hero: our Savior, Jesus Christ. This story changes everything. Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

INTRODUCE the Story

God Created the World Genesis 1 God created everything, and it was good. Colossians 1:16b-17 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who is God? God is our Creator and King.

SESSION Preschool Leader Guide TITLE:

Unit 1 • Session 1 PASSAGE: BIBLE

God Created Everything

STORY POINT:

KEY PASSAGE:

made animals that live in the water and animals that 7 fly in the sky. God made animals that live on earth— all different kinds. God is so creative; He made so many different animals! We will hear how God made animals—and everything else—in today’s Bible story.

Play in a seed sensory bin Welcome time • “My Father’s World” song • offering basket • Allergy Alert download • favorite toys related to the Bible story theme

Play the unit theme song in the background as you greet preschoolers and follow your church’s security procedures. Set an offering basket near the door to collect at an appropriate time. Post an allergy alert, if necessary. Set out a few favorite theme-related toys, such as puzzles and blocks.

• “God’s Creation” activity page, 1 per child • pencils or crayons

Invite preschoolers to circle the creation or creature that is different from the others in its row. SAY • Good job choosing the one that was different! The world is full of so many different plants, trees, fish, birds, and animals. What a good idea to make so many different things! Do you know who made all these things? God! In today’s Bible story, we will hear how God created the world.

Activity page

Walk in an animal parade Form a single-file line. Explain that you will call out the name of an animal. Preschoolers must follow the line leader while pretending to be that animal. When you call out “zoo” preschoolers may pretend to be any animal they choose. Play while periodically changing line leaders. SAY • Did you know that God made all the animals? God

Cover a table and the floor below with plastic tablecloths. Fill a large plastic tub with a few inches of bird seed. Set the tub on the table with sensory bin tools, such as measuring cups and spoons, funnels, tongs, and toy shovels. Invite preschoolers to play freely in the seeds. Consider placing items such as craft feathers, plastic animals, and nature items in the bin for preschool to hide and find as well. SAY • Did you know that we could plant these seeds and they might grow into plants? God made all the plants and trees. Every plant and tree has seeds to grow more of the same kind of plant or tree. God is so smart how He created plants and trees to make more plants and trees. We will hear about how God created everything in our Bible story today.

• plastic tablecloths, 2 • large plastic tub • bird seed • sensory bin tools • craft feathers (optional) • plastic animals (optional) • nature items (optional)

Transition to tell the story To gain the attention of all the preschoolers to move them to Bible study, show the countdown video, flip off the lights, or clap a simple rhythm for the children to copy. Invite preschoolers to walk as their favorite animal as they move to Bible study.

• countdown video (optional)

God Created Everything

Preschool Leader Guide Unit 1 • Session 1

INSTRUCTIONS:

Younger Kids Activity Pages

Unit 1 • Session 1 God Created The World

Use the different creature parts to mix and match to make your own creature.

Kids will learn how each passage they study connects with the gospel. • Kids will spend equal time in the Old and New Testaments • Kids will learn how people and events from the Old Testament point ahead to Jesus • Kids will learn about the events from Jesus’ life and what He taught His disciples • Kids will learn about the early church and how people lived out God’s mission • Kids will learn about missions taking place around the globe

4. Additional Hour of Worship

5 Creature Factory

3. Old and New Testament Studies

For those who desire to provide an additional hour of content that reinforces learning and provides a worship experience for preschoolers and kids, The Gospel Project for Kids Worship Hour Add-on is available.

BIBLE STORY:

• God has always existed. • God created the universe in six days. • God created things we can see and things we cannot see. • God created everything, and everything He created was good. KEY PASSAGE:

Colossians 1:16b-17 BIG PICTURE QUESTION:

• Who is God? God is our creator and king. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS:

• Why is it important that God created everything? • Who decides if something is good? • If God created everything good, why is there evil in the world?

God Created the World Genesis 1

MAIN POINT: GOD CREATED EVERYTHING, AND Story Point: GodHE created everything, and EVERYTHING CREATED WAS GOOD. everything He created was good.

Big Picture Question: Who is God? God is our Creator and King. Christ Connection: Jesus is Lord over all of creation. The Son has always existed. The Bible says everything was created by Him and for Him, and He holds everything together. All of creation exists to bring God glory. Key Passage: Colossians 1:16b-17

God Created the World Genesis 1

FAMILY ACTIVITY:

God Created The World Genesis 1

• Use craft supplies to make art. Talk to your kids about the diﬀerence between our ability to make things using materials we find around us, and God’s ability to create things from nothing.

DOWNLOAD the

LIFEWAY KIDS APP

5. Family Resources

Age group resources are designed with built-in content just for parents—so they will be equipped to continue the learning at home. You’ll find Activity Pages, The Big Picture Cards for Families, and a LifeWay Kids App.

Kids Resources Start with a Leader Kit!

Each Leader Kit is packed with the essential resources you need to lead your groups. Start by ordering one Kit per preschool or kids ministry. For an additional hour of content, including worship resources, add the Worship Hour Add-on to your Leader Kit. Order a Leader Guide for each leader and Activity Packs for each child separately.

Digital curriculum bundles are available. Visit gospelproject.com for details.

In the Beginning Younger Kids Leader Guide VOLUME 

Kids Leader Kit Includes Younger Kids Leader Guide, Older Kids Leader Guide, Kids Activity Pages, videos, and music. Purchase one Leader Kit and additional Leader Guides and Activity Packs as needed for your ministry size.

Creature Factory INSTRUCTIONS:

Use the different creature parts to mix and match to make your own creature.

Kids Worship Hour Add-On Contains a full set of worship resources— including music videos, and a worship guide— for an additional hour of worship. Purchase of the Kids Leader Kit is required in order to purchase the Kids Worship Hour Add-On.

Preschool Leader Kit Includes Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide, Preschool Leader Guide, Preschool Activity Pages, videos, and music. Purchase one Leader Kit and additional Leader Guides and Activity Pages as needed for your ministry size. The Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide includes bonus teaching hour suggestions.

Preschool Worship Hour Add-On Contains a full set of worship resources— including music videos, and a worship guide— for an additional hour of worship. Purchase of the Preschool Leader Kit is required in order to purchase the Preschool Worship Hour Add-On.

Leader Guide Provides easy-to-use, low-prep lesson plans and a variety of hands-on activities for each session. Order one for each leader. Available for Babies and Toddlers, Preschool, Younger Kids, and Older Kids

God Created the World

Younger Kids Activity Pages

Unit 1 • Session 1 God Created The World

Genesis 1

BIBLE STORY:

• God has always existed. • God created the universe in six days. • God created things we can see and things we cannot see. • God created everything, and everything He created was good.

Story Point: God created everything, and everything He created was good.

KEY PASSAGE:

Big Picture Question: Who is God? God is our Creator and King.

Colossians 1:16b-17 BIG PICTURE QUESTION:

• Who is God? God is our creator and king.

Christ Connection: Jesus is Lord over all of creation. The Son has always existed. The Bible says everything was created by Him and for Him, and He holds everything together. All of creation exists to bring God glory.

FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS:

• Why is it important that God created everything? • Who decides if something is good? • If God created everything good, why is there evil in the world? FAMILY ACTIVITY:

MAIN POINT: GOD CREATED EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING HE CREATED WAS GOOD.

• Use craft supplies to make art. Talk to your kids about the diﬀerence between our ability to make things God using Createdmaterials The Worldwe find around us, 2 things Genesis 1 to create and God’s ability from nothing.

God Created theColossians World Key Passage: 1:16b-17 Genesis 1

DOWNLOAD the

LIFEWAY KIDS APP

Activity Pages Engage kids in learning! Includes one Activity Page per session, along with a coloring page for Preschool and Younger Kids. Order one per child and extra for visitors.

Posters A variety of poster options are provided to help you create an engaging learning environment.

Available for Preschool, Younger Kids, and Older Kids.

The Gospel Project for Kids Giant Timeline & Genealogy of Christ Posters

Small Group Timeline and Map Set

Poster Pack Books of the Bible Posters

006198412 | 193866

The Big Picture Cards for Families 15 colorful cards equip parents with a Big Picture Question and points for family discussion. The preschool version also provides simple phrases parents repeat to babies and toddlers to reinforce learning at home. Order one pack per child and extra for visitors. Available for Preschool and Kids.

LifeWay Kids App The LifeWay Kids App is a kiosk filled with apps for each of our kids’ curriculum lines. Simply download the free kiosk app and select The Gospel Project for Kids app to access fun activities that complement what kids learn each week. Available from the App Store® and Google Play®.