Big Story Gospel Conversation Guide
January 2026 – Elementary: Game Plan
Elementary:
Bottom Line: Practice talking about God.
Memory Verse: “Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are not living and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NIrV
While choosing to follow Jesus is the most important decision a kid can make, it’s only the first step! Learning to live and love like Jesus is a lifelong journey that can feel big and abstract for kids. That’s why it’s so important to provide handholds for kids (and grownups!) to grow in four specific areas of spiritual formation. We call these Faith Skills: Hear from God, Pray to God, Talk about God, and Live for God. This month, we’ll walk through all four skills as displayed in the life of Jesus. Kids will discover the value of talking with others about God through the story of young Jesus in the Temple. They’ll practice praying to God through The Lord’s Prayer and hearing from God in the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. We end the month with the story of Jesus choosing Levi, also known as Matthew, to follow Him—and how Matthew left everything he knew to begin living for God. Just like learning a new instrument or skill, it takes commitment and a game plan to follow Jesus. But as kids learn to spend time daily practicing Faith Skills, even for a short time, they will become more and more like Jesus.
Every kid has experienced what it’s like to learn a new skill, whether that’s tying shoelaces, learning to dribble a soccer ball, or practicing piano. Each of these things require a plan to practice a little each day—resulting in big changes over time. That’s why this month’s theme is “Game Plan: Growing stronger in faith every day”—so kids can discover how walking with Jesus isn’t a one-time choice, but something they can grow in over time.
Memory Verse:
Lesson & Activities:
Week 1– January 4
Bible Story: Jesus at the temple I Luke 2:41-52
Key Question: Who can you talk to about God?
- K-5th lesson
- SN Min Modified Curriculum
- Activity Pages:
Week 2– January 11
Bible Story: The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13
Key Question: What do you pray about?
- K-5th lesson
- SN Min Modified Curriculum
- Activity pages:
Week 3– January 18
Bible Story: The Wise and Foolish Builders • Matthew 7:24-27 (Supporting: John 10:27-28)
Key Question: How can you hear from God?
- K-5th lesson
- SN Min Modified Curriculum
- Activity pages:
Week 4– January 25
Bible Story: Jesus Chooses Levi – Luke 5:27-31
Key Question: What does it look like to live for God?
- K-5th lesson
- SN Min Modified Curriculum
- Activity pages:
- None
Devotionals:
Videos:
Worship Songs:
They can be practicing during the week.
12/7 Go Tell it on the Mountain and Silent Night
12/14 Joy – Christmas and Go Tell it on the Mountain
12/21 Go Tell it on the Mountain and Silent Night
