Sunday School Materials
Introduction
These lessons have been prepared with the belief that children need to know the whole Bible story from beginning to end. They have been written in the belief that children can begin to understand their Christian family story while still very young. Our experience is that they love to discover what is in the Bible and to know how they belong to this larger story.
The 191 lessons have been prepared in the context of the Coromandel Baptist congregation in South Australia. In this situation, the children are encouraged to see themselves as part of a whole believing community but the lessons can be used in a variety of church situations, and other opportunities for sharing the Christian faith, including in Christian homes.
Some may wish to read the Bible stories to young children directly from the Bible and to use the pictures to supplement this, and for this purpose, we encourage the use of the International Children’s Bible (New Century Version, © 1983, 1988 by Word Publishing). As children become competent to read for themselves, their lessons can increasingly use this translation for reading as a major or basic part of their learning.
The materials are organised into books with accompanying story notes for teachers.
Old Testament | New Testament |
---|---|
Book 1 – Creation to Abraham | Book 1 – The Coming of Jesus |
Book 2 – Isaac to Joseph | Book 2 – Jesus in the Temple and Jesus’ Public Ministry (A) |
Book 3 – The Exodus to the Promised Land | Book 3 – Jesus’ Public Ministry (B) |
Book 4 – Conquering and Living in the Promised Land | Book 4 – Jesus’ Public Ministry (C) |
Book 5 – Samuel, King Saul and David | Book 5 – Jesus’ Public Ministry (D) |
Book 6 – Solomon to Elisha | Book 6 – Mary Anoints Jesus to The Ascension |
Book 7 – Joash to the Captivity | Book 7 – Coming of the Holy Spirit and the Early Church |
Book 8 – The Jews in Babylon to the Return to Jerusalem | Book 8 – Paul Sent to the Gentiles and the Prophecy Given to John |
Supporting Materials | |
Storytelling Helps | Arranging Classes |
2 – 4 Years Programme | 5 – 8 Years Programme |
Suggested Order of Use | Sample Teaching Roster |
Old Testament Materials
Contains stories from Genesis and Job
- Creation Genesis 1:1 – 2:25; 3:20
- The Fall Genesis 2:8–17; 3:1–24
- Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1–16
- The Flood Genesis 6:1 – 9:19
- The Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1–9
- God’s Promise to Abraham/Abraham Goes to Egypt Genesis 11:27 – 13:4
- Abraham and Lot/Abraham Helps Lot Genesis 13:1 – 14:24
- A Son for Abraham and a Land for God’s People Genesis 15:1–21
- Hagar the Servant Girl/’Walk Before Me’ Genesis 16:1–16; 17:1–8, 15–22
- Abraham’s Three Vistors Genesis 18:1–22
- Abraham Prays for Sodom/Sodom Destroyed Genesis 18:22 – 19:29
- Birth of Isaac Genesis 21:1–21
- Abraham Offers Up Isaac Genesis 22:1–19
- Job Job 1:1 – 42:17
Contains stories from Genesis
- A Wife for Isaac Genesis 24:1–67
- Esau Sells His Birthright/Jacob Steals the Blessing Genesis 25:21–34; 27:1–41
- Jacob’s Dream Genesis 27:41 – 29:1
- Jacob Works for Laban Genesis 29:1 – 31:55
- Jacob Fights with God Genesis 32:1 – 33:16
- Joseph Sold by His Brothers Genesis 37: 1–35
- Joseph in Potiphar’s House/Joseph in Prison Genesis 39:1 – 40:23
- Joseph Becomes a Ruler Genesis 41:1–52
- Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt/Joseph Forgives His Brothers Genesis 41:46 – 46:7; 46:28–34; 50:1–14
Contains stories from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Joshua
- The Baby Moses Exodus 1:1 – 2:10
- Moses Runs Away/The Burning Bush Exodus 2:11 – 4:31
- ‘Let My People Go’ Exodus 5:1 – 10:29
- The Passover Night Exodus 11:1 – 12:42
- Crossing the Red Sea Exodus 13:17 – 15:21
- Food in the Wilderness/Water from the Rock Exodus 16:1 – 17:7
- God Gives His Law and Covenant to Israel Exodus 19:1 – 20:26; 24:3–11
- The Golden Calf/Moses Prays for His People Exodus 32:1 – 34:29
- The Tabernacle in the Wilderness Exodus 35:4 – 40:38
- Day of Atonement Leviticus 16:2–34
- The Twelve Spies Numbers 13:1 – 14:45
- The Bronze Snake Numbers 20:14–21; 21:4–9
- Balak and Balaam Numbers 22:1 – 25:18
- God Takes Moses ‘Home’/God Chooses a New Leader Numbers 27:12–23; Joshua 1:1–18
Contains stories from Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
- Two Spies Visit Jericho Joshua 2:1–24
- Crossing the Jordan Joshua 3:1 – 5:1
- The Walls of Jericho Joshua 5:13 – 6:27
- Achan’s Sin Joshua 7:1 – 8:31
- The Men of Gibeon/When the Sun Stood Still Joshua 9:1 – 10:27
- Possessing the Land/Cities of Refuge Joshua 13:1–7; 14:6–14; 17:14–18; 20:1–9
- The People Forget Their Promise/Deborah and Barak Judges 2:7 – 3:11; 4:1 – 5:3
- God Chooses Gideon Judges 6:1–34
- Gideon Prepares for War/How Gideon Won Judges 6:33 – 8:28
- A Baby Promised by God/Samson Fights the Philistines Judges 13:1 – 14:7,20; 15:9–20
- Samson and Delilah Judges 16:4–31
- Ruth Ruth 1:1 – 4:22
Contains stories from 1 and 2 Samuel
- God Answers Hannah’s Prayer 1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:11
- God Calls Samuel 1 Samuel 2:12 – 3:18
- The Capture and Return of the Ark 1 Samuel 3:19 – 7:15
- ‘Give Us a King’/How Samuel Found a King 1 Samuel 7:15 – 10:9
- Saul Disobeys the Lord/Jonathan’s Daring Deed 1 Samuel 13:1 – 14:23
- Samuel Annoints David 1 Samuel 16:1–13
- David and Goliath 1 Samuel 17:1-53
- Saul Tries to Kill David/God Keeps David Safe 1 Samuel 18:1 – 20:42
- David Hides from Saul 1 Samuel 22:1–5; 23:1 – 24:22
- David and Nabal 1 Samuel 25:1–42
- David Finds Saul Asleep 1 Samuel 26:1–25
- David King Over Israel/David Brings the Covenant Box to Jerusalem 2 Samuel 2:1–4; 5:1 – 6:19
- God’s Covenant with David, His Kingdom would be Forever 2 Samuel 7:1–29
- Mephibosheth, the Lame Prince 2 Samuel 4:4; 9:1–13
- David’s Great Sin 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:14
- Proud Prince Absalom/The End of the Proud Prince 2 Samuel 15:1–30; 17:1 – 20:3
- David Counts His Men 2 Samuel 24:1–25; 1 Chronicles 22:1
Contains stories from 1 and 2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles
- Solomon Asks for Wisdom/Queen of Sheba 1 Kings 3:3-15; 4:29–34; 10:1–10, 13
- Solomon Builds the Temple — A House of Prayer for All Nations 1 Kings 5:1 – 6:38; 8:1–66
- Solomon’s Sad End/Israel Became Two Kingdoms 1 Kings 11:1–13, 26–43; 12:1–24
- The Man of God who Disobeyed the Lord 1 Kings 13:1-34
- Elijah says: ‘No rain until I say!’ 1 Kings 16:29 – 17:8; 18:4
- Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath 1 Kings 17:8–24
- Obediah/Elijah and the Prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18:1–46
- Elijah Runs Away/God Sends Elijah Back to Israel/Elisha Follows Elijah 1 Kings 19:1–21
- Good King Jehosaphat 2 Chronicles 17:1 – 18:34
- Elijah goes to Heaven 2 Kings 2:1–18
- A Widow’s Pot of Oil/Stories from the School of the Prophets 2 Kings 4:1–7, 38–44; 6:1–7
- The Woman of Shunem 2 Kings 4:8–13
- Captain Naaman and the Prophet in Israel 2 Kings 5:1–27
- God’s Army of Angels 2 Kings 6:8–23
- Famine in Samaria/’A Day of Good News’ 2 Kings 6:24 – 7:20
Contains stories from 2 Kings, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah
- Joash Saved — Jehoiada , Faithful Priest 2 Kings 11:1–24
- Jonah the Unwilling Prophet/Jonah Preaches in Nineveh Jonah 1:1 – 4:11
- Israel Would Not Listen Amos 1:1; 4:1 – 4:14; 9:11–14
- God’s Messenger, Isaiah Isaiah 6:1–23
- A Letter for Hezekiah 2 Kings 18:17 – 19:36
- Josiah’s Great Work for God/The Book Found in the Temple 2 Kings 22:1 – 23:3, 21–23
- Jeremiah the Prophet Jeremiah 1:1 – 2:7, 12–13; 4:1, 5–7, 14; 25:1–12; 39:9–14
Contains stories from 2 Chronicles, Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Esther and Nehemiah
- Jews in Babylon/Ezekiel the Watchman 2 Chronicles 36:14–21; Ezekiel 2:1–7; 3:10–21; 36:22–36
- Daniel and His Friends Daniel 1:1–21
- When the King Forgot His Dream/Daniel Explains the Dream Daniel 2:1–49
- Daniel’s Friends in the Burning Furnace Daniel 3:1–30
- A Proud Tree Cut Down Daniel 4:1–37
- Belshazzar’s Feast Daniel 5:1–31
- Daniel with the Lions Daniel 6:1–27
- The Jews Set Free/Starting to Build the Temple Ezra 1:1–11; 3:1 – 4:5; 5:1 – 6:22
- Esther Esther 1:1 – 10:3
- Nehemiah in the King’s Palace/Nehemiah Comes to Jerusalem Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:18
- Nehemiah Builds the Walls of Jerusalem/Giving Thanks to God Nehemiah 2:19 – 4:23; 6:1–16; 12:27–43
New Testament Materials
Contains the Advent stories
- God’s promise of the Messiah Genesis 3:1–15; 12:1–2; 15:1–6; 17:1–6
- The angel visits Zechariah and Mary Luke 1:15–56
- Elizabeth’s baby: John the Baptist Luke 1:57–80
- The birth of Jesus and visit of the shepherds Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 2:1–20
- Simeon and Anna: The baby in the temple Luke 2:21–40
- The wise men worship Jesus Matthew 2:1–23
Contains stories from the Gospels
- Jesus in the temple Luke 2:41–52
- A prophet for God’s people/John baptises Jesus Matthew 3:1–17
- Jesus tempted by Satan Matthew 4:1–11
- Jesus’ followers John 1:29–51
- Jesus goes to a wedding John 2:1–11
- Jesus in His Father’s house John 2:12–25
- Nicodemus comes to Jesus John 3:1–21
- The woman at the well John 4:1–12
- Peter’s great catch Luke 5:1–11
- Lame for thirty eight years John 5:1–24
- Down through the roof to Jesus Mark 2:1–12
- Matthew becomes a disciple Matthew 9:9–13
Contains stories from the Gospels
- An officers’ great faith Luke 2:41–52
- ‘Sight for the blind, good news for the poor’ Luke 7:11–30
- Jesus calms the storm/Makes a wild man quiet Luke 8:22–39
- Daughter of Jarius Mark 5:21–43
- Feeding five thousand people Matthew 14:13–23
- Walking on the Sea Matthew 14:22–33
- Parable of the sower Luke 8:4–15
- Parable of the wheat and the tares Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
- A gentile mother comes to Jesus Matthew 15:21–28
- ‘Who am I?’ (Peter’s Confession) Matthew 16:13–28
- Jesus shining brighter then the sun (Transfiguration) Matthew 17:1–9
- The boy with a wicked spirit Mark 9:14–29
Contains stories from the Gospels
- A lesson about forgiving (An unforgiving servant) Matthew 18:21–35
- Jesus sends out seventy disciples Luke 10:1–23
- The good Samaritan Luke 10:25–37
- Mary and Martha Luke 10:38–42
- The man who was born blind John 9:1–41
- Jesus, the good shepherd John 10:1–6, 22–30
- The lost sheep and coin Luke 15:1–10
- The lost son Luke 15:11–32
- ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ Luke 11:1–13
- The Pharisee and the tax collector Luke 18:9–14
Contains stories from the Gospels
- The foolish rich man/Don’t worry Luke 12:13–34
- Dead for four days (Jesus raises Lazarus) John 11:1–52
- The rich young Ruler Mark 10:17–31
- The workmen and their wages Matthew 19:27 – 20:16
- The great feast Luke 14:1, 7–24
- The rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19–31
- The ten lepers Luke 17:11–19
- Zaccheus welcomes Jesus Luke 19:1-10
- Blind Bartimaeus Mark 10:46–52
- Trading for the King (Parable of the pounds) Luke 19:11–27
Contains stories from the Gospels
- Mary anoints Jesus John 12:1–8
- Triumphal entry/Jesus weeps for Jerusalem/Jesus in the temple Luke 19:28–48
- Parable of the wicked tenants Matthew 21:33–46
- ‘When will these things happen’ Luke 21:5–38
- Parable of the ten bridesmaids Matthew 25:1–13
- Jesus washes the disciple’s feet/One will betray Me/The first Lord’s supper John 13:1–32; Matthew 26:26–30
- Look out Peter Luke 22:31–34; John 13:33–38; 14:1
- Knowing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit John 14:1–31; 15:9–17
- Jesus’ prayer John 17:1–26
- Garden of Gethsemane/High priest’s court Matthew 26:30–32, 36–38
- Peter denies the Lord Matthew 26:57, 58, 69–75
- Judas Iscariot/Jesus in Pilate’s judgement hall Matthew 27:3–5, 11–26
- When Jesus died/Friends bury him Matthew 27:31–66
- Jesus is alive! Matthew 28:1–10; John 20:1–10
- Road to Emmaus/The disciple who would not believe Luke 24:13–43; John 20:19–29
- Peter goes fishing again John 21:1–19
- Forty wonderful days (Ascension) Luke 24:44–53; Acts 1:1–14
Contains stories from Acts
- God’s wonderful promise (His Holy Spirit) Acts 2:1–13
- Peter, a witness for Christ/The first church Acts 2:1–13
- The lame man/Peter and John in trouble Acts 3:1 – 4:31
- Ananias and Sapphira Acts 4:32 – 5:14
- An angel opens prison doors Acts 5:12–42
- Choosing helpers in the church/The first Christian Martyr Acts 6:1 – 7:2, 51–60
- Philip and an evil Magician Acts 8:1–25
- Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8:26–40
- Saul becomes a believer Acts 9:1–20
- Saul escapes from Damascus Acts 9:19–31
- More about Peter (Dorcas) Acts 9:32–43
- Peter and Cornelius Acts 10:1–48
- An angel takes Peter out of Prison Acts 12:1–19
Contains stories from Acts, Philemon, and Revelation
- The church at Antioch/Two missionaries to Cyprus Acts 11:19–30; 13:1–12
- Paul goes on another journey Acts 15:36 – 16:15
- The slave girl and the jailer Acts 16:16–40
- A city full of idols Acts 17:16–33
- Paul is arrested and tells his story Acts 21:26 –22:29
- How God protected Paul Acts 22:30 – 23:35
- Paul witnesses to two Governors/King Agrippa Acts 24:24 – 26:32
- On the way to Rome/Shipwrecked Acts 27:1–44
- Paul and Malta in Rome Acts 28:1–29
- Paul the letter writer (Philemon) Philemon 1–25
- John meets the living Christ Revelation 1:1 – 2:29
- The book and the Lamb/A New heaven, New earth, New City Revelation 4:1 – 6:1; Chs. 21 & 22
Supporting Materials
- Storytelling Helps – An article by Grant Thorpe. (Download PDF)
- Arranging Classes – Class arrangements at Coro. (Download PDF)
- 2 – 4s Programme – Typical weekly lessons for 2 to 4 year olds. (Download PDF)
- 5 – 8s Programme – Typical weekly lessons for 5 to 8 year olds. (Download PDF)
- Suggested Order – Order in which to work through the materials. (Download PDF)
- Teaching Roster – A template for preparing a teaching roster. (Download PDF)
A set of books called ‘Step by Step through the Bible’ written by Daisy L Henderson, a missionary who worked with South Sea Evangelical Mission, have been a help to many. They were produced by Missions Publications and are held by Australian Indigenous Ministries. Their catalogue contains details on ordering and purchasing these books.
Acknowledgements
The Sunday School Curriculum arranged by Jane Linn and Chris Thorpe, the Story Notes by Grant Thorpe, and special Teacher’s Notes by Helen Farmer for stories 84, 88 and 158. These materials were prepared for use at Coromandel Baptist Church.
Copyright and Usage
These Sunday School materials may be freely downloaded, copied and used, provided they are acknowledged, unchanged in content, and not sold for profit. Acknowledgement should be with the name of the author, and that the material is available from https://www.corobaptist.org.au. If translation into another language is desired, permission should be sought from Coromandel Baptist Church.