A Study of the Gospels 

Each gospel tells us about the life of Jesus, bringing its own perspective to the story. From Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus’ being the promised Messiah, to Mark’s short and sweet portrayal, to Luke’s studied account, to John’s love letter from Jesus, it takes all four to get the full picture of who Jesus is and why we should follow him.

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The Big Four Children's Ministry Curriculum Lesson Overview

Lessons 1-3: Promises, Promises (Matthew)

Memory Verse:

“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIRV)

Lesson 1: Share a BIG Light
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, A City on a Hill
Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus also called us – his disciples – the light of the world. Jesus invites us to share in his light and to shine that light brightly for all the world to see. When people see us reflecting Jesus’ light, they will praise God in heaven. 
Objective: Kids will say “Jesus calls me to shine His light to the world.”

Lesson 2: Share a LITTLE Burden
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, His Yoke is Easy
Sometimes the concerns of this life weigh us down. Jesus wants to carry those burdens with us, and he invites us to share in his burdens. He promises that his burdens are light and his yoke is easy. 
Objective: Kids will say “Jesus calls me to share my burdens with him.”

Lesson 3: Share a BIG Love
Scripture: Matthew 9:27-31, Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 
When two blind men came to Jesus, he healed them. They were healed because of their big faith in him and his big love for them. We should seek to emulate the love of Jesus, as we put our faith in him. 
Objective: Kids will say “Jesus calls me to love like he does.” 

Lessons 4-6: Short and Sweet (Mark)

Memory Verse: 

“Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37 (NIRV)

Lesson 4: Give a LITTLE Faith
Scripture: Mark 1:29-34, Jesus at Peter’s House
Jesus healed many people who were sick, even Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Some had big faith, others had just enough faith to go and meet Jesus. Jesus had compassion on them all. If we have just a little faith, Jesus can do great things for us and through us.  
Objective: Kids will say “I have faith I can give Jesus.”

Lesson 5: Give a LITTLE Time
Scripture: Mark 10:13-16, Jesus and the Children
We see in the gospels that Jesus made time for people: the sick, the sad, and the sinner. Jesus also made time for children to come to him. We should strive to make time for others. We should especially make time for Jesus every day. 
Objective: Kids will say “I have time I can give to Jesus.”

Lesson 6: Give a BIG Gift
Scripture: Mark 12:41-44, The Poor Woman’s Offering
While others gave big amounts of money to the temple, it really wasn’t much compared to the great riches they had. But even though it was a small amount, the poor woman gave everything she had to God. We have talents, skills, belongings, and even money that we can dedicate to Jesus. He deserves the best of what we have to give.
Objective: Kids will say “I have stuff that I can give Jesus.”

Lessons 7-9: The Doctor is In (Luke)

Memory Verse: 

“Remain strong in the faith, and you will receive eternal life.” Luke 21:19 (NIRV)

Lesson 7: Make a BIG Difference
Scripture: Luke 10:29-37, The Good Samaritan
Jesus told the story of a man who was beaten up and left for dead. The only one who came to his aid was a foreigner who most would have thought an enemy. The Samaritan was the only one who treated the man like a neighbor. We are to be like the Samaritan and treat everyone as we would want to be treated. 
Objective: Kids will say “I will make the effort to be a good neighbor.”  

Lesson 8: Make a BIG Decision
Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, The Cost of Being a Disciple
Jesus wants us all to follow him, but he knows that the path can be difficult at times, so he asks us to count the cost of being a disciple. Being a disciple means we will strive to put Jesus and his kingdom first, not our wants and needs. It is not an easy path, but it is a rewarding one. 
Objective: Kids will say “I will count the cost to be a faithful disciple.”

Lesson 9: Make a LITTLE Room
Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. While Martha worked hard to make sure everything was perfect for Jesus, Mary made a little room on the floor to sit and spend time with Jesus. Jesus told Martha that Mary’s way was better, and he invited her to join them. We should never get so busy that we don’t have time for Jesus. 
Objective: Kids will say “I will take the time to make room for Jesus.”

Lessons 10-12: Love Letter (John)

Memory Verse: 

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIRV)

Lesson 10: Act a LITTLE Childlike
Scripture: John 3:1-16, Jesus and Nicodemus
Nicodemus was a religious leader, but he had a lot to learn about following God. Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be “born again” to experience the life God intended. It was a hard lesson for Nicodemus to understand. 
Objective: Kids will say “As I grow in God, he will teach me.”

Lesson 11: Act With BIG Courage
Scripture: John 6:16-29, Jesus Walks on Water
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified. Jesus’ power and strength can be overwhelming and scary at times, but when we walk with Him, we learn that his love and compassion will drive away our fear. 
Objective: Kids will say “As I walk with God, he will give me courage.”  

Lesson 12: Act With BIG Love
Scripture: John 8:1-11, The Woman Caught in Adultery
The religious leaders brought to Jesus a woman who had been sinful. They were full of hate toward the woman and wanted to stone her, but Jesus had only love and compassion for her. He challenged them with their own sinfulness and offered forgiveness to the woman. We are called to treat others with the same love and compassion that Jesus treats us with. 
Objective: Kids will say “As I follow God, I will learn to love like Him.”

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ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM:

• Perfect for kids ages 6-12
• 12-weeks
• Includes large group and small group resources
• This curriculum is an instant download
  
• Download a free sample here

EACH LESSON INCLUDES:

• Make It Stick! Parent Sheet - so you can let mom and dad know what kids are learning each week and look like a rockstar teacher who's thought of everything.
• Memory Verse - so that you can make sure kids are getting Scripture in their minds and hearts every single week and you can feel like each lesson was a success even when it seems like 90% of your lesson time is spent saying things like "calm down", "let's be quiet", "hands to yourself!"
• Skit or Puppet Show - so you have a way to easily connect the lesson with your hands-on and visual learners. No drama team? No problem! Just hand the script to the kids. They'll have a blast and think you're the coolest.
• Craft Activity - so you can give kids a physical reminder of the Bible lesson (and give yourself an activity to keep them busy until mom and dad come back!)
• Game - so kids don't leave and say church was BORING! Games are so important to help keep kids engaged. Our large group games always include a "What's The Point" section to help you connect the game to the lesson.
• Large Group Lesson - so you can present the Bible story in a clear and fun way, which means now you can enjoy Saturday nights instead of stressing over putting a lesson together!
• Small-Group Discussion - so you can find out who was paying attention and who was talking to their neighbor.  Just kidding, this is a great way for you to build deeper relationships with your kiddos after each lesson, which means you're going to care about them so much you'll cry like a baby when they graduate and go to middle school :(
• More! - Yes, there is even more than all of that so that you can easily put together the perfect lesson for your ministry each weekend, which means no more agonizing over how to adjust complicated lesson plans. 

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Guaranteed to Be Awesome!