Jesus Up Close 12-Week Children's Ministry Curriculum

Zoom In on the Life of Jesus! 

This series focuses in on the life of Jesus, zooming in on some of the moments from his life and ministry that even church kids may not know that well. No matter how long we follow Jesus, there is always still more to learn, more to experience, more of Him to find. 

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Jesus Up Close Children's Ministry Curriculum Lesson Overview

Memory Verse For Lessons 1-6:

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to him both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIRV)

Lessons 1-6:

Long Awaited

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38, Jesus Presented in the Temple

While he was still just a baby, Jesus was dedicated in the temple, as was the custom. At the temple, Mary and Joseph encountered Simeon and Anna, two people who had been waiting for the Messiah’s arrival for some time. When they saw Jesus, they knew the Messiah had come!

Objective: Kids will learn “Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.”

Rejected At Home

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30, Jesus Rejected in Nazareth

Jesus grew up in Nazareth, but when it came time for him to start his ministry those who knew him quickly rejected him. Many could not accept Jesus’ message that he was sent from God. We can be encouraged when we feel rejected, knowing that Jesus knows what we’re going through and he will never reject us if we call on him.

Objective: Kids will learn “Jesus knows what it is like to be rejected.”

Disciple Maker

Scripture: John 1:43-50, Jesus Philip and Nathanael

Most of us know how Jesus called the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John to become his disciples. Jesus also called Philip and Philip went and told Nathanael. They both saw his power firsthand and were eager to be his disciples. 

Objective: Kids will say “I can invite my friends to “come and see” Jesus.”  

The Healer

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30, Jesus and Syrophoenician Woman

Most of us have heard the stories of how Jesus healed. In this lesser-known story, it seems at first that Jesus will not heal the woman whose daughter was demon-possessed. Her boldness shows us that we should not be afraid to come to Jesus with whatever we need. 

Objective: Kids will learn “We can boldly go to God in prayer with our needs.”

Our Supply

Scripture: Mark 8:1-13, Jesus Feeds the 4,000

Jesus feeding the 5,000 is a very well-known story from the life of Jesus. Not as well-known is the time Jesus fed a crowd of 4,000 in a very similar way. Jesus can supply all of our needs – every time – whether they are big or small. 

Objective: Kids will learn “Jesus supplies all of my needs.”

The One Who Sends

Scripture: Luke 10:1-24, Jesus Sends Out the 72

Jesus did many amazing things during his ministry on earth. He also sent out his followers to do amazing things in Jesus’ name. If we will let him, Jesus will give us what we need to go out and share his love and power with others. 

Objective: Kids will learn “God wants to use me to help others know Jesus.”

Memory Verse For Lessons 7-12:

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV)

Lessons 7-12:

Storyteller

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

Jesus told many stories and parables to help the people understand the kingdom of God. In the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Jesus explains how important it is to accept Jesus and follow him while we are here on this earth, because one day it will be too late. 

Objective: Kids will learn “Jesus has made a way for all to be saved, but we have to choose to put our faith in him.”  

The True Vine

Scripture: John 15:1-17, The Vine and the Branches

Jesus called himself the true vine. Those who follow Jesus are the branches. In this analogy, Jesus was explaining to his disciples – and to us – that we cannot accomplish anything for God in our own strength. We must always stay connected to Jesus, the vine. 

Objective: Kids will say “We can do nothing of worth without Jesus.”

The One Who Knows Us

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52, Jesus Heals Bartimaeus

Jesus healed many people while he was on the earth. For most of them, we never learn their name. In the book of Mark, we learn the name of one blind man that Jesus healed: Bartimaeus. Jesus knows each of our names and each of our needs. 

Objective: Kids will say “Jesus knows me by name and cares about me.”

God’s Only Son

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-13, The Transfiguration

Peter, James and John were privileged to experience something quite unique: Jesus standing with Moses and Elijah, transfigured. God used this special moment to confirm that Jesus was his Son, the Savior of the world. 

Objective: Kids will learn “Jesus is the Son Of God, the Savior of the world.”

Caretaker

Scripture: John 19:25-30, Jesus on the Cross

Even as Jesus was on the cross, suffering for the sins of mankind, he cared about our individual concerns. When he saw his mother, Mary, among the crowd, he made sure that she would be taken care of after he was gone. 

Objective: Kids will learn “Jesus cares about our needs, no matter how big or small.”  

The Beginning and the End

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, On the Road to Emmaus

Jesus’ disciples were sad when Jesus died. When Jesus met two of them on the road to Emmaus, they did not recognize him, nor understand that he was risen. Jesus took the time to explain that he was the Messiah – there at the beginning and Lord until the end. 

Objective: Kids will be challenged with the question “Will we recognize Jesus for who he is - our Savior & Lord?”

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ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM:

• Perfect for kids ages 6-12
• 8-weeks
• Includes large group and small group resources
• This curriculum is an instant download
  
• Download a free sample here

EACH LESSON INCLUDES:

• Make It Stick! Parent Sheet - so you can let mom and dad know what kids are learning each week and look like a rockstar teacher who's thought of everything.
• Memory Verse - so that you can make sure kids are getting Scripture in their minds and hearts every single week and you can feel like each lesson was a success even when it seems like 90% of your lesson time is spent saying things like "calm down", "let's be quiet", "hands to yourself!"
• Skit or Puppet Show - so you have a way to easily connect the lesson with your hands-on and visual learners. No drama team? No problem! Just hand the script to the kids. They'll have a blast and think you're the coolest.
• Craft Activity - so you can give kids a physical reminder of the Bible lesson (and give yourself an activity to keep them busy until mom and dad come back!)
• Game - so kids don't leave and say church was BORING! Games are so important to help keep kids engaged. Our large group games always include a "What's The Point" section to help you connect the game to the lesson.
• Large Group Lesson - so you can present the Bible story in a clear and fun way, which means now you can enjoy Saturday nights instead of stressing over putting a lesson together!
• Small-Group Discussion - so you can find out who was paying attention and who was talking to their neighbor.  Just kidding, this is a great way for you to build deeper relationships with your kiddos after each lesson, which means you're going to care about them so much you'll cry like a baby when they graduate and go to middle school :(
• More! - Yes, there is even more than all of that so that you can easily put together the perfect lesson for your ministry each weekend, which means no more agonizing over how to adjust complicated lesson plans. 

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Guaranteed to Be Awesome!