Explore it 2021
Children's Discipleship Material - for Small Groups
For ages 7-12
Explore It is designed for children’s ministry leaders working with groups of children.
Below are the resources created for 2021. For guidance and the latest resources please visit the main Explore it page.
Explore it
The latest discipleship resources for small groups.
Session 1 – God's invitation (Luke 15:1-7 The lost sheep)
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – God's choice (Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son)
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - Good or Bad Choices
Good or Bad Choices
Session 3 – God's gift (Luke 22:14-20 The Lord’s supper)
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – God's grace (Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus)
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 - Healthy me (Luke 2:21-40 Jesus presented in the Temple)
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 - Healthy soul (Luke 4:1-13 Jesus in the wilderness)
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - Bible Verses
Bible Verses
Session 3 - Healthy mind (Luke 4:38-44 Jesus heals many)
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Healthy response (Luke 5:12-16 Jesus heals a man with leprosy)
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
This month we are recommending that each child has access to a Bible.
Session 1 – God has a plan - an action story (Luke 5:17-26 Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man)
Explore It - March 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - March 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - March 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Mother's Day - a love story
Explore It - March 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - March 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - March 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Living for Jesus - a mystery story (Matthew 10:1-16 Jesus sends out the Twelve)
Explore It - March 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - March 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - March 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Palm Sunday - an inspirational story (Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus comes to Jerusalem as King)
Explore It - March 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
Leaders Guide
Explore It - March 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - March 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
This month we have five sessions, the first session being an optional Good Friday session.
Session 1 – Good Friday (Mark 15:33-41 The death of Jesus)
Explore It - April 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - April 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - April 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Easter Sunday (Matthew 28:1-10 Jesus has risen)
Explore It - April 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - April 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - April 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Eyes wide open (Luke 24:13-35 The road to Emmaus)
Explore It - April 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - April 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - April 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Lots of questions (John 20:24-29 Jesus appears to Thomas)
Explore It - April 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - April 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - April 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 5 – A new opportunity (John 21:15-19 Jesus reinstates Peter)
Explore It - April 2021 session 5 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - April 2021 session 5 - Together
Together
Explore It - April session 5 - For Me 2021
For Me
For session five, you may wish to invite your corps leaders along to share together about what is important in your corps/church.
Session 1 – Doing what God wants (Matthew 6:25-34 Don’t worry)
Explore It - May 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - May 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - May 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – God is working in the waiting (Acts 1:1-14 Jesus ascends to Heaven)
Explore It - May 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - May 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - May 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Be willing (Luke 22:39-46 Jesus prays alone)
Explore It - May 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - May 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - May 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – Pentecost (Acts 2:1–17 Guided by the Holy Spirit)
Explore It - May 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - May 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - May 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 5 - Trust in Christ (Acts 2:42-47 The believers share)
Explore It - May 2021 session 5 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - May 2021 session 5 - Together
Together
Explore It - May 2021 session 5 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – Who's 'got your back’? (Acts 9:19b-31; Acts 11:19-30 Paul and Barnabas)
Explore It - June 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - June 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - June 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Friends together (Acts 15:40; 16:16–40 Paul and Silas)
Explore It - June 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - June 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - June 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Thanking Fathers (Acts 16:1-5; Philippians 2:19–24; 2 Timothy 1:1-7 Paul encourages Timothy)
Explore It - June 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - June 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - June 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – Influencers (1 Timothy 4:11–16 Paul’s advice to Timothy)
Explore It - June 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - June 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - June 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – I will be with you (Exodus 3 Moses and the burning bush)
Explore It - July 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - July 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - July 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – A gentle whisper (1 Kings 19 The Lord appears to Elijah)
Explore It - July 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - July 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - July 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – For just such a time as this (Esther 4 Mordecai persuades Esther to help)
Explore It - July 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - July 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - July 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – I called to the Lord (Jonah 1 Jonah flees from the Lord)
Explore It - July 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - July 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - July 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – They follow him because they know his voice (John 10 (selected verses) The good shepherd and his sheep)
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – I saw the Lord (John 20:1-18 Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene)
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – I have chosen Saul for an important work (Acts 9:1-19 Saul is converted)
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 3 - Leaders
For Leaders
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 3 - Me
For Me
Session 4 – We sat down and talked to them (Acts 16:6-15 Lydia becomes a Christian in Philippi)
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 4 - Leaders
For Leaders
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 4 - Me
For Me
For the next few months, For Me and Together are part of the Leader’s Guide.
Please note: In Session Four we will be looking at practical actions we can take to care for creation and address climate change. The Great Big Green Week, organised by The Climate Coalition (of which The Salvation Army is a member organisation) is taking place from 18-26 September 2021.
You may want to get involved in a local event or organise your own. If so, you may want to introduce this idea to the group in an early session so you can plan something in plenty of time.
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
STEWARDSHIP - WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS
Genesis 1:31; 2:15
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
THE SALVATION ARMY - IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROJECTS
Matthew 25:35-40
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Colossians 1:15-20
The importance of Christ
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
SHOWING LOVE TO THE WORLD
James 2:14-17
Faith and Good Works
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
A CALL TO GLOBAL JUSTICE
Isaiah 58:6-8; Micah 6:8
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
CLEAN WATER AND GENDER JUSTICE
John 4:4-42
Jesus and a Samaritan Woman
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
FOOD SECURITY AND INCOME GENERATION
Acts 2:42-47; 4:32
The believers share
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
ANTI-TRAFFICKING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
1 John 3:1
We are God’s children
Session 1 – Trusting God in tricky times (Genesis 37; 39:1-6 Joseph is sold)
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Overcoming temptation (Genesis 39:6b-23 Joseph is put into prison)
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – The power of forgiveness (Genesis 45:1-28 Joseph reveals who he is)
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – Hope (Isaiah 9:2-7 A new day is coming)
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Bible Verses
For the Bible promises jar/envelope activity
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Bible References
For the Bible promises jar/envelope activity
Session 2 – Faith (Luke 1:26-38 The Virgin Mary)
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Peace (Luke 2:8-20 Some shepherds hear about Jesus)
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Joy (Luke 2:15-20; Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 Wise men come to visit Jesus)
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Explore it
Discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together. Now available: Advent 2024 and Light Guides for younger children.
2023 discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together.
2022 discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together.
2020 discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together.
Other useful links
14 five-minute episodes to help children transition from primary to secondary school as they become small fish in a big pond. Now including 14 illustrated video versions.
A ball based wellbeing resource for schools or church groups. It offers children the opportunity to get talking, listening and moving!
Compelling small group (previously known as Cell Outlines) Bible study resources for ages 12-25
Right Tracks is a new music resource produced for children and leaders to help learn more about God. *Includes a Primary School assembly for each song.*