Children's Discipleship Material - for Small Groups

Session Guides for ages 7-12

Light Guides for younger children

Explore It is designed for children’s ministry leaders working with groups of children.

Each session includes:

• Content for a 30-40 minute group meeting under the headings Start it, Sing it, Tell it, Action it, Pray it
• Explore It ideas,  an additional resource to send home to families, to explore the theme further 
• Light Guides to support younger children

February - There's lots to see for disciples

COMING SOON

January - Waiting for Jesus

Session 1: To learn, just like the wise men did, that worship is an essential part of following God

Wise men come to visit Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12; James 1:17)

Session 2: To understand that God keeps his promises and is faithful

Jesus is presented in the Temple (Luke 2:22-40)

**Includes Covenant Sunday.**

Session 3: To learn about John the Baptist’s self-control and obedience

Jesus is baptised by John (Luke 1:5-17; Matthew 3:13-17)

Session 4: To understand how Jesus calls each one of us to share his love with others

Jesus chooses some followers (Matthew 4:1-11,18-22)

Advent 2024

Session 1: To discover the message of hope found in the birth of Jesus

A new day is coming (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Session 2: To discover the message of faith found in the birth of Jesus

The Virgin Mary Luke (1:26-38)

Session 3: To discover the message of peace found in the birth of Jesus

Some shepherds hear about Jesus (Luke 2:8-20; John 14:27)

Session 4: To discover how the wise men experienced the joy of Jesus’ birth

Wise men come to visit Jesus (Luke 2:15-20; Matthew 2:1-2,9-11)

Session 5: To explore how God shows his love for us

A child will be born to us (Isaiah 9:6)

November 2024 – What can Jesus do?

Session 1: To learn how God forgives 

The son who left home (Luke 15:11-32) 

Session 2: To find that being right with God comes through humility

Being right with God (Luke 18:9-14) 

Session 3: To see how Jesus used children as an example

Jesus welcomes children (Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-14) 

Session 4: To learn that Jesus was prepared to give up his life

The shepherd and his sheep (John 10:1-21)

Please note: Nov 30 / Dec 1 will be part of the Advent content.

October 2024 – Mixed emotions

Session 1: To learn how Elizabeth and Mary experienced joy

Mary praises God (Luke 1:31-33,35-38,46-56) 

Session 2: To know the mercy of God through how we treat others

Love your enemies (Luke 6:27-36) 

Session 3: To learn that Jesus shared human emotions

The death of Lazarus (John 11:1-16,33-44)

Session 4: To explore a claim that Jesus made about himself

Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12-20)  

Please note: Sessions three and four have recently been swapped. This is so the theme of Jesus being the light of the world can be explored with light parties/events being held at the end of October.

September 2024 – If you love a good story

Session 1: To learn the story of David and Goliath

David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4-16,32,38-40,48-50)

Session 2: To know why Jesus told parables 

A story about planting seed (Matthew 13:1-10,13,18-23

Session 3: To explore a moment where Jesus raised the dead

Jesus gives life to a dead girl (Mark 5:21-24,28-43)

Session 4: To learn how Jesus annoyed the religious leaders

Jesus heals a man at a pool (John 5:1-18)

August 2024 – God doing things differently

Session 1: To discover how God is with us even in the most difficult times

Joseph sold into slavery (Genesis 37, 39, 41) 

Session 2: To know the story of Joseph’s reunion with his brothers

Joseph sets a trap (Genesis 41:17-40,44; 45:1-5) 

Session 3: To explore how God works in some difficult situations

Baby Moses (Genesis 47:5-6; Exodus 1:8-10,22; 2:3-10) 

Session 4: To reflect upon how God might equip us

Moses helps his people (Exodus 2:11-12; 3:7-14)

Session 5: To explore the many events leading to Passover

The plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:1-5,8-13,20-21; 8:5-8,16-19,24; 9:1-9,15-19; 12:12-13) 

July 2024 – Experiencing Jesus

Session 1: To see how Jesus got his message across

Be careful about judging others (Matthew 7:1-5) 

Session 2: To know that children matter to God

Who is the greatest? (Matthew 18:1-4,10-14) 

Session 3: To discover how Jesus answered a tricky question

The most important command (Mark 12:28-34) 

Session 4: To consider the worship we can bring to God

A woman with perfume for Jesus (Mark 14:3-9) 

June 2024 – So what is The Big Story?

Session 1: To understand the role of a prophet

God calls Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-19) 

Session 2: To know the impact Daniel had on King Darius

Daniel and the lions (Daniel 6:5-28) 

Session 3: To think about what faith means to you

Faith (Hebrews 11:1-4,7-10,13-16) 

Session 4: To realise that David shared his honest feelings in songs and poems

A song of trust in God (Psalm 27:1-14) 

Session 5: To know the importance of Israel entering The Promised Land

God’s command to Joshua (Joshua 1:5-11,16-18) 

May 2024 – Supernatural life lessons

Session 1: To explore how a boy helped Jesus

More than 5,000 people fed (John 6:1-15)

Session 2: To see how Peter reacted to Jesus’ supernatural power

Jesus walks on water (Matthew 14:22-34)

Session 3: To be challenged by Jesus’ story of kindness

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Session 4: To see different reactions to Jesus

Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) 

April 2024 – Decision times

Session 1: To discover the first Passover

Moses’ faithfulness (Exodus 12:1-14,21-28,31)

Session 2: To learn that God sees within a person

David’s goodness (1 Samuel 16:1-23)

Session 3: To see the danger of jealousy

David’s self-control (1 Samuel 19:1-18)

Session 4: To reflect upon the power of gentleness

David’s gentleness (1 Samuel 24:1-22) 

March 2024 – Looking at Saul, looking at Jesus

Session 1: To learn how Samuel showed kindness to Saul.

Saul meets Samuel (1 Samuel 9:6-10,14-27)

Session 2: To think about being faithful to God.

Samuel appoints Saul (1 Samuel 10:1-7,9-11,14-19,24-27)

Session 3: To reflect upon our own self-control.

Saul rejected as king (1 Samuel 15:1-3,8-12,17-19,22-23

Session 4: To find peace about the future.

Jesus says that he must die (Matthew 16:21-28)

Session 5: To discover the source of Christian joy.

Jesus rises from death (Luke 9:28-36; 24:1-8)

February 2024 – Hopeful creation care

Session 1: To learn the sequence of creation.

The beginning of the world (Genesis 1:1-23) 

Session 2: To reflect on how we ‘rule’ the earth. 

Days five and six were good too (Genesis 1:24-31, 2:7-9, 15-17, 20-22)

Session 3: To discover that ‘rest’ isn’t just physical recovery; ‘rest’ trusts God. 

The seventh day – rest (Genesis 2:1-3)

Session 4:  To see nature as a help to praying in private.

A song for going up to worship (Psalm 121)

January 2024 – Inclusion in the Kingdom of God

Session 1: To see migration in Jesus’ own story. 

Wise men come to visit Jesus (Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 2:1-15)

Session 2: To explore our feelings towards refugees. 

Jesus’ parents take him to Egypt (Matthew 2:9-15)

Session 3: To see how Jesus accepts a Samaritan woman.

Jesus and a Samaritan woman (John 4:5-11, 13-15, 25-26, 39-42)

Session 4: To know that inclusion is part of God’s Kingdom.

Jesus teaches about prayer (Matthew 6:5-13)