As the school year comes to a close and summer break quickly approaches, you may be looking for ways to keep your children entertained and growing in their faith.
Here are 10 free Sunday school lessons. These Bible study stories that will engage and teach your children valuable life lessons in a fun and exciting way!
While many families will spend time traveling or visiting relatives, you may choose to stay closer to home and participate in church Sunday school lessons.
My family and I will be staying closer to home this summer and enjoying some activities we have planned. One thing we do know that we will be doing this summer is going to church on Sunday morning.
If you are of the Christian faith like me you will want to take this summer as an opportunity dig deeper into God’s word with your little ones. My plan is to take a bible lesson from this list and teach it at home after church on Sundays.
This way the littles will get a chance to get some one on one time with me and we can talk about what they learned about earlier that morning from their Sunday school teacher.
This will be a time that I can check in to see if they have any important questions and hear about what went on that morning in their Sunday school classrooms.
These lessons can be used in small groups or one on one.
I have tried to include a list of ways to try some fun hands on activities as well so you can make this a fun experience!
Look at the birds
This Sunday school lesson will focus on the bible verses Matthew 6: 26-34 and God’s love for us.
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
One way to start this lesson is by looking outside and finding some birds. You can even bring binoculars if you have them! Talk about how God created the birds and how He takes care of them.
Read Matthew 6:26-34 and discuss with your children how just as God takes care of the birds, He will also take care of us if we put our trust in Him.
Depending on the ages and abilities of your children, you may also want to talk about other things that God created and how He takes care of them as well.
Fun Activity
For a fun activity, try making some bird feeders together with your kids! You can use some toilet paper rolls, bird seed, and string. Just punch a few holes in the toilet paper roll, fill it with bird seed, and tie some string around it to hang it up!
If you don’t have any toilet paper rolls you can also use an old milk jug. Just cut a hole in the side, fill it with bird seed, and put a string through the handle to hang it up.
Watch the birds come to eat from your bird feeder and talk about how God is taking care of them!
Key Verse
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”-Matthew 6:26
Application
Talk about how we can apply this lesson to our lives by not worrying about things that we can’t control. Just as God takes care of the birds, He will also take care of us! Use this opportunity to teach your children how to pray for others and their needs as well.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for taking care of us and providing for us. Help us to remember that we don’t need to worry about things that we can’t control, because you will take care of us.
Amen.
Who has the right key?!!!
This Sunday school lesson aims at God’s grace and forgiveness. The verses you will be using are Ephesians 2: 8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Fun Activity
You will need a lock of some sort with 5 different keys. Only one key will open the lock. On each key there will be a piece of paper tied to it with a different word written on each one.
Here are the list of words
- Grace
- Reading Bible
- Prayer
- Good Works
- Going to Church
Next, you will have the children examine the keys and the words written on each one. Explain to them that only one key will work to open the lock just as there is only one way to get to go to heaven.
Allow them to try each key they think will give them everlasting life.
Soon they realize that the only key that works is labeled “grace”. Talk to them about how we are saved by God’s grace alone and not by our good works, tell them the right key is grace.
Read Ephesians 2: 8-9 to the children and talk about how we are saved by grace alone. We don’t have to do anything to earn salvation because it is a free gift from God.
Talk about how we show our gratitude for this gift by living a life that is pleasing to God. The other keys represent actions we take to show God our gratitude towards Him and what He has freely given us.
Memory Verse
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” -Ephesians 2: 8
Application
Talk about a time when someone did something nice for you or gave you a gift. Did you feel like you had to do something for them in return?
Explain that when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we don’t have to do anything for Him in return because His gift of salvation is free. However, we show our gratitude by living a life that is pleasing to God.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your gift of salvation. Help us to remember that we are saved by grace alone and not by our good works. We show our gratitude by living a life that is pleasing to You.
Amen
The story of Gideon
This Sunday school lesson will focus on the biblical truths from the old testament of Judges 6-8 and the people of Israel.
The Israelites were living in Canaan but they kept falling into idol worship and God would send enemies to oppress them. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him that he was going to save Israel from their enemies.
Gideon was scared at first but with the help of God, he defeated the enemy! This story is a great reminder that even when we are afraid, God is always with us and He will help us if we put our trust in Him.
Read Judges 6-8 with your children and talk about how Gideon was afraid at first but he trusted God and God helped him defeat the enemy.
At the end of this lesson talk about how even when we are afraid, we can trust that God is always with us and He will help us.
Fun Activity
For a fun activity, try making some “Gideon’s swords” out of cardboard! Just trace a sword template onto some cardboard and cut it out. You can decorate them however you want!
This is a great way to remind younger children that even when they are afraid, God is always with them and He will help them.
Memory Verse
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” -Isaiah 41:10
Application
Talk about a time when you were afraid but God helped you. Encourage your kids to think of a time when they were afraid and how God helped them.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for always being with us and helping us even when we are afraid. Help us to trust You more and more each day.
Amen.
The story of Jonah
This Sunday lesson will focus on the bible story Jonah 1-4.
In this story, Jonah was a prophet who was supposed to go and preach to the people of Nineveh but he didn’t want to go because he knew they were evil.
Jonah ran away from God but God sent a storm to get his attention. Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a fish but he was eventually spit up on the shore.
Finally he went to Nineveh and preached to the people but he was angry when they repented and God forgave them.
This story is a great reminder that even when we don’t want to do what God is asking us to do, we should still obey Him. It’s also a reminder that God is merciful and He forgives us even when we make mistakes.
Read Jonah 1-4 with your kids and talk about how Jonah didn’t want to obey God but he eventually did.
Talk about how even when we don’t want to do what God is asking us to do, we should still obey Him.
Fun Activity
A great activity is to have your kids act out the story of Jonah. You can give them props and have them act out the different parts of the story. This is a great way to help your kids understand the story and also have some fun!
Memory Verse
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” -Hebrews 13:17
Application
Talk about a time when you had to do something you didn’t want to do. Encourage your kids to think of a time when they had to do something they didn’t want to do and how it turned out.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for always asking us to do things that are best for us, even when we don’t want to do them. Help us to have the courage to obey You even when it’s hard.
Amen.
The Most Powerful of All
This Sunday lesson will focus on the story of Jesus walking on the water. Read from the new testament verse Matthew 14: 22-33 for the bible background.
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This story is a great reminder Jesus’ power and might! It is also a reminder of our human frailty and need for God.
Read Matthew 14: 22-33 with your kids and talk about how Jesus has power over the wind and the waves.
Talk about how even when things seem impossible, we can trust in Jesus because He is the most powerful and nothing can stop Him form doing good.
Fun Activity
For a fun activity, have a bucket of water and let each child step into the water. Remind them of Jesus’ power and how he could easily walk on the water. Teach them that even though this is impossible for us, with God all things are possible.
Memory Verse
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” -Philippians 4:13
Application
Talk about a time when you were afraid or things seemed impossible. Encourage your kids to think of a time when they felt the same way and how Jesus used His power to help them.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You that even when things seem impossible, with You all things are possible. Help us to remember your power and strength as we face difficult situations in our lives.
Amen.
A Tongue of Fire
This Sunday school lesson will focus on the power of our words as human beings. The bible verses you will read to your children are James 3:3-6.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Talk about how our words are like a fire. They can build people up or tear them down.
Fun Activity
Take a tube of toothpaste and have each child take turns squeezing some out. After they have done this ask them to try to put it all back.
Once they realize they can not put the toothpaste back inside the tube talk to them about how we can not put back words that we say back. Once our words leave our mouth they have the power to either build up or tear down.
Compare this to fire. A small fire can quickly become a large one, just like our words.
Memory Verse
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire” -James 3:
Application
Have your kids make a list of things they could say to someone that would be encouraging.
Encourage them to use their words to build others up this week and see what happens!
Prayer
Dear God, help us to watch our words this week. Help us to build others up with our words and not tear them down. Amen.
The Peace Maker
This Sunday school lesson will focus on how to be a peacemaker. The bible verses you will read to your kids are Matthew 5:9.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Talk about what it means to be a peacemaker and how we can be one.
Fun Activity
Have your kids make a “peace mobile”. Give them different materials such as construction paper, string, yarn, ribbons, etc. and let them get creative!
Hang these up in your house as a reminder to be a peacemaker.
Memory Verse
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” -Matthew 5:9
Application
Challenge your kids to find someone they know that is having a hard time and try to bring some peace into their life.
Prayer
Dear God, help us to be peacemakers in our homes, our friendships, and our schools. Help us to know how to show people God’s love and help those who are struggling in their life.
Amen.
The Power of Our Thoughts
This Sunday school lesson will focus on the power of our thoughts. The bible verses you will read to your kids are Psalm 139:23-24 and Philippians 4:8.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Talk about how our thoughts have the power to shape our lives and the lives of those around us.
Fun Activity
Put on a short play where one character pretends to be having negative thoughts while another character tries to encourage them with positive thoughts.
After the play, discuss with your kids how our thoughts can shape how we feel and how we treat others.
Memory Verse
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” -Philippians 4:8
Application
Have your kids make a list of 5 positive things they can think about when they are having a bad day.
Encourage them to keep this list with them and to look at it when they are feeling down.
Prayer
Dear God, help us to watch our thoughts this week. Help us to focus on the positive and not the negative. Amen.
The Power of Prayer
This lesson will focus on the power of prayer. The bible verses you will read to your kids are Philippians 4:6-7 and Matthew 6:5-15.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Talk about how powerful prayer is and how it can change our lives and the lives of those around us.
Fun Activity
Make a prayer jar. Every time someone in your family prays, have them write it down on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. At the end of the week, read through all of the prayers together as a family.
Memory Verse
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7
Application
Ask your kids to think of a time when prayer has helped them feel better.
Have them write down what they are thankful for on small slips of paper and put those strips of paper in the jar as well.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for hearing our prayers. Help us to remember the power of prayer whenever we are feeling down. Amen.
Who’s Going to be in First Place?
This Sunday school lesson will focus on Matthew 6:33,
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Talk to your kids about how we should focus on God’s kingdom above all else, and that if we do, God will provide for all of our other needs as well.
Fun Activity
For this activity you will need a large jar, 3 ping pong balls or something similar in size and some uncooked rice.
Gather your children around and tell them that the ping pong balls represent our time spent with God each day.
One ball represents prayer, the second ball is bible reading and the third ball is worship.
Next, explain that the rice represent all the other things we do each and every day. For example, going to the store, material things, cleaning our rooms, playing games, watching TV, etc.
Finally, explain to the children that the jar represents 1 day. Show them that if they choose to put other things first before their time with God, God will ultimately come last or will not fit at all.
Pour all the rice (things to do in a day) into the jar first and then have each child try to push the ping pong balls to the bottom of the jar without spilling any rice.
They will be unable to do this successfully leading to the discussion of the importance of putting God first each and every day for spiritual growth.
Application
Ask simple questions about what it means to seek first the kingdom of God, and have your kids come up with ways they can practice this in their own lives.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to focus on you above everything else. Help us to trust that you will provide for all of our needs.
Amen.
Entertaining Angels
This Sunday school lesson will focus on the story of Abraham entertaining angels in Genesis 18.
Read the story together as a family and then discuss how we should always be prepared to entertain guests, whether they are human or angelic!
Fun Activity
For this activity you will need some small paper plates, some crayons, glue and some small toys or figurines.
Have the kids design their own little place settings for an angelic dinner party. They can use the paper plates for their charger plates and glue the figurines or toys in the center.
After they are done, you can have a small feast of your own with some angel food cake and whipped cream!
Memory Verse
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” -Hebrews 13:2
Application
Encourage your kids to look for opportunities to serve others, just as Abraham did when he welcomed the angels. Ask them what kinds of ways they might be able to do this in their own lives and communities.
Prayer
Lord, help us to always be ready and willing to serve those around us, just as Abraham did. Amen.
Thank you for reading! I hope that you have found this information helpful. If you need any help or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
And remember, God is always with you, so seek Him first in everything that you do!
If you found these Sunday school lessons helpful, please share it with someone else who might benefit from it as well.
Also, be sure to check out my other blog posts for more great tips and activities!
Thank you!