The Great Outdoors: New Series for Kids

In this new series for 1st-5th grade, kids discover the faith journeys of key people in the Bible using exciting camping and hiking games and activities – minus the bug spray battles and burnt marshmallows. 

From Abraham’s step-into-the-unknown faith to Paul’s shipwreck survival, kids will explore how God leads, guides, and cares for His people through every twist and turn of life. Whether they’re pitching pretend tents or navigating obstacle-course trails, kids will be challenged to trust God – no matter where the path takes them.

Each week includes:

• A camp-themed game that’ll have kids laughing and moving
• A Bible story that highlights God’s faithfulness on the trail
• A hands-on small group activity to drive home the lesson

This series can be ordered individually here on this page, but is also one of many included in a year long curriculum.

ONE YEAR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY CURRICULUM, VOLUME 2

This series is one of many in the One Year Children's Ministry Curriculum, Volume 2 (and you save 72% on an entire year's worth of curriculum). 

SERIES OVERVIEW

Lesson 1: Abraham
Bible: Genesis 12:1-9, Genesis 13:14-18, Genesis 15:1-6
Bottom Line: We can trust God even when we don’t know where we are going.

Lesson 2: Moses
Bible: Exodus 3:1-4, 7-10, 16-17
Bottom Line: God can make a way even when it seems impossible.

Lesson 3: John the Baptist
Bible: Matthew 3:1-6
Bottom Line: God has a plan for us no matter where we come from.

Lesson 4: Paul
Bible: Acts 13:2-3, 44-49, Acts 27:20-26, Acts 28:1-5
Bottom Line: God will take care of us even when things are hard.

This downloadable series is designed for 1st-5th graders. After purchase, your files will be ready to download faster than you can say “trail mix.” Just bring the energy – we’ll supply the lessons (and you won’t even need to start a campfire).

FREE SAMPLE LESSON - THE LOST SHEEP

Download a sample lesson from from our Weird Science series on the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Matthew 18:10-14. In this lesson, we see an invisible ink experiment with an incredible chemical reaction! Then, there's an interactive magnetism experiment for the younger elementary group and an awesome water tension experiment for the preteen group — each to teach us that we are never too lost for Jesus to save.

LESSON FORMAT

Opening Game

• A fun game everyone plays connected to the main point of the lesson.
• A variation of active play, less active play, creative play, etc.

Creative & Interactive Teaching

• Creative & interactive teaching including: story telling, object lessons, visuals, science illustrations, and other attention grabbing elements.
• Our goal is to engage the 5th graders (they'll love the creative elements). Imagine no more 5th grade boys in the back of the room goofing around or checking out. Oh yes! And don't worry, we also aim to reach the 1st graders and everyone else in between.

Memory Verse

• One memory verse per series
• Fun ways to reinforce memory verse for younger kids (in small groups)
• Memory verse challenges to reinforce for preteens (in small groups)

Small Groups

• A completely separate small group guide for younger elementary and preteen.
• Preteen small groups are a huge priority for us. A lot of other curriculums really miss the boat here. Our writing team brings over 20 years experience in preteen ministry to the table. You'll find great activities and thought provoking discussions that preteens will love, and will help them to own their faith in Jesus.
• The small groups for younger elementary are also pretty amazing. We recognize the unique developmental needs of this age group, and include specific activities and questions to accommodate those needs.
• Hands on activities and discussion questions included in each lesson.

WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY CURRICULUM?

Our goal is to help kids fall in love with Jesus and discover what it means to follow him!

Here's what makes our curriculum unique:

Low Prep & Simple: Say goodbye to long hours of preparation! Our curriculum is designed with busy children's ministry leaders in mind. Each lesson is crafted to be effortlessly implemented with minimal prep time.

Promotes Relationships: We want kids to connect with each other and leaders, creating a place where they discover and nurture relationships with others who love Jesus.

Bible Based and Life-Applicable: A great mix of Biblical content and life-application.

Puts Your Leaders in the Driver's Seat: We intentionally do not provide a teaching video because it is important that kids learn from humans in real life.

Adaptable: Change it up and make it your own, or use it as-is. Totally adaptable to your church's unique setting.

Small Groups for Younger Kids and Preteens: A completely separate small group guide for younger elementary and preteen. Preteen small groups are a priority for us. Our writing team brings over 20 years preteen ministry experience to the table. You'll find great activities and thought provoking discussions that preteens will love, and will help them to own their faith in Jesus. The younger elementary small groups are also pretty amazing. We recognize the unique developmental needs of this age group, and include specific activities and questions to accommodate those needs.

Built-In Parent Resources: Each series includes customizable parent email scripts and ready-to-post social media slides for every lesson. These tools help parents know what their kids are learning and encourage meaningful conversations at home throughout the week.

WHO IS OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY CURRICULUM FOR?

• 1st-5th graders
• Churches of all sizes: big, small & everything in between.
• Churches of any denomination or non-denomination. Our curriculum is theologically broad enough for any church to use. We stay central to the core truths of Christianity and don’t focus on denominational differences.