Free Bible lessons for kids · 10 lessons
Back to school Bible lessons for kids
A new school year is a good time to teach children that God goes with them, gives wisdom to those who ask, and helps them honour Him with their choices and their words.
10 Bible stories, one subject: back to school. Teach them as a series or one at a time; each lesson has its film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and game, all free.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 10
- Passages
- Luke 2:41–52, Daniel 1:1–21, 1 Samuel 3:1–21, 2 Timothy 1:1–5, 1 Kings 3:3–28, Acts 17:10–15, and more
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
10 Bible lessons about back to school
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41–52 · story film
When Jesus was twelve, His family went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Mary and Joseph searched three days and found Him in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.
Big idea: Jesus grew in wisdom, and we can too.
Memory verse:
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2:52 (KJV)Ask: How old was Jesus on this trip? Twelve years old.
Game: Sardines (about 12 minutes)
Daniel Purposes in His Heart
Daniel 1:1–21 · story film
King Nebuchadnezzar took young men from Jerusalem to Babylon, among them Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, to be trained for his palace on the king’s meat and wine. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself, and he politely asked for ten days of pulse and water instead. At the end of ten days the four looked healthier than all the rest, and God gave them knowledge and wisdom, so the king found them ten times better than all his magicians and astrologers.
Big idea: Even when we are young and far from home, we can choose to honour God.
Memory verse:
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)Ask: What did Daniel purpose in his heart? That he would not defile himself with the king’s meat or the wine which he drank (Daniel 1:8).
Game: Veggie Taste Test (about 10 minutes)
Speak, LORD
1 Samuel 3:1–21 · story film
The child Samuel served the LORD in the temple at Shiloh with old Eli the priest. One night, as he lay down where the ark of God was, the LORD called, “Samuel!” Three times Samuel ran to Eli, until Eli understood and told him to answer, “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.” Samuel listened, and as he grew the LORD was with him and made him a prophet to all Israel.
Big idea: God speaks to us, and even children can listen and obey.
Memory verse:
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV)Ask: Where was Samuel lying down when the LORD called? In the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was (1 Samuel 3:3).
Game: Samuel! Samuel! (about 10 minutes)
Timothy Learns the Scriptures
2 Timothy 1:1–5 · 3:14–17 · story film
Paul reminded young Timothy of the faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and that he had known the Holy Scriptures since he was a child.
Big idea: It is never too early to know God’s Word.
Memory verse:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)Ask: Who were Timothy’s grandmother and mother? Lois and Eunice.
Game: Pass It Down (about 8 minutes)
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
1 Kings 3:3–28 · story film
Young King Solomon loved the LORD. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to him in a dream by night and said, “Ask what I shall give thee,” and Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people well. God was pleased and gave him a wise and an understanding heart, and soon, when two women both claimed the same baby, Solomon gave the child to its true mother, and all Israel saw that the wisdom of God was in him.
Big idea: God gives wisdom to those who ask Him.
Memory verse:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5 (KJV)Ask: What did God say to Solomon in the dream? “Ask what I shall give thee” (1 Kings 3:5).
Game: Riddle Me Wise (about 10 minutes)
The Bereans Search the Scriptures
Acts 17:10–15 · story film
In Berea the people received the word gladly and searched the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul taught was true. Many of them believed.
Big idea: We check everything by God’s Word.
Memory verse:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)Ask: What did the Bereans do every day? They searched the Scriptures.
Game: Bible Detective (about 12 minutes)
Be Strong and of a Good Courage
Joshua 1:1–9 · story film
After Moses died, the LORD spoke to Joshua: “Arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them.” God promised, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,” and told Joshua to keep the book of the law in his mouth and meditate on it day and night. Three times God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, because the LORD his God would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9).
Big idea: We can be brave, because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go.
Memory verse:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)Ask: What did the LORD tell Joshua to do after Moses died? To arise and go over Jordan with all the people, into the land God was giving them (Joshua 1:2).
Game: Be Strong Course (about 12 minutes)
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel 18:1–4 · 20:1–42 · story film
After David beat Goliath, the soul of Jonathan, King Saul’s son, was knit with the soul of David, and the two friends made a covenant. When Saul grew jealous and sought David’s life, Jonathan warned him with a secret sign: arrows shot beyond a little lad in the field. The friends kissed one another and wept, and Jonathan sent David away in peace, trusting the LORD to be between them for ever.
Big idea: A true friend is loyal and loves at all times.
Memory verse:
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)Ask: What did Jonathan give David when they made a covenant? His robe, his garments, his sword, his bow and his girdle (1 Samuel 18:4).
Game: Friends Stick Together (about 10 minutes)
Taming the Tongue
James 3:1–12 · story film
James compared the tongue to a small bit that turns a horse, a small rudder that steers a ship and a little fire that can burn a forest. Our words matter.
Big idea: God helps us use our words for good.
Memory verse:
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)Ask: What small thing steers a great ship? A very small helm (rudder).
Game: Toothpaste Trouble (about 10 minutes)
The Armour of God
Ephesians 6:10–18 · story film
Paul told the Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armour of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the Word of God.
Big idea: God gives us everything we need to stand strong.
Memory verse:
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)Ask: What is the belt (girdle)? Truth.
Game: Armour Up Relay (about 12 minutes)
A 8-week series on back to school
| Week 1 | The Boy Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–52). Jesus grew in wisdom, and we can too. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Daniel Purposes in His Heart (Daniel 1:1–21). Even when we are young and far from home, we can choose to honour God. |
| Week 3 | Speak, LORD (1 Samuel 3:1–21). God speaks to us, and even children can listen and obey. |
| Week 4 | Timothy Learns the Scriptures (2 Timothy 1:1–5). It is never too early to know God’s Word. |
| Week 5 | Solomon Asks for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:3–28). God gives wisdom to those who ask Him. |
| Week 6 | The Bereans Search the Scriptures (Acts 17:10–15). We check everything by God’s Word. |
| Week 7 | Be Strong and of a Good Courage (Joshua 1:1–9). We can be brave, because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go. |
| Week 8 | David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1–4). A true friend is loyal and loves at all times. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Memory verses about back to school (KJV)
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Luke 2:52 · The Boy Jesus in the Temple
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 · Daniel Purposes in His Heart
“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
1 Samuel 3:10 · Speak, LORD
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16 · Timothy Learns the Scriptures
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
James 1:5 · Solomon Asks for Wisdom
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts 17:11 · The Bereans Search the Scriptures
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9 · Be Strong and of a Good Courage
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17 · David and Jonathan
Questions people ask
What Bible lessons fit back to school?
A new school year is a good time to teach children that God goes with them, gives wisdom to those who ask, and helps them honour Him with their choices and their words.
Which Bible stories teach back to school?
The Boy Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–52), Daniel Purposes in His Heart (Daniel 1:1–21), Speak, LORD (1 Samuel 3:1–21), Timothy Learns the Scriptures (2 Timothy 1:1–5), Solomon Asks for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:3–28), and 5 more on this page.
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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