Customize Each Bible Lesson to Fit Your Ministry

We include a large selection of components to choose from in each fun Bible lesson. Incorporate the ones that work for you. Some things to consider:

• What is your ministry style?
• What are the ages of your kids
• How many kids will you have in class?
• What is the physical size of the classroom?
• How many assistants/leaders will you have to help?
• Can I locate and gather the materials/supplies needed for the activity?
• How much class time do you have?

The Components in Each Lesson

The component order is flexible; rearrange and modify them to tailor the lesson to you. No two ministries are the same. God has created us with unique talents and gifts. Select and create components that work the best for you and your setting. If an activity doesn’t fit your style, pick options that do!

Two components not included are Praise and worship. Praise and Worship (as well as offering time) are a vital part of any children’s ministry. However, most churches I have served in have an opening multi-age session for Praise and Worship, announcements, prayer, etc. prior to the actual classroom time. If this is not the case for your church, certainly insert this important component into your class.

Let’s Discuss Each Component

1. Pivot Object

The purpose of the Pivot Object is to create interest and intrigue. The Pivot Object is presented and a very brief discussion follows.

Ask questions like, “Where have you seen something like this? What could it be used for? Have you ever used one? Any idea how it could be related to today’s lesson? Consider all answers but end the brief discussion unresolved.

2. Opening Prayer

We provide a short prayer, and you can modify it as desired. We will first welcome God’s presence and thank Him for the children and the opportunity to learn about Him through His Word in the Bible so we can grow closer to Him.

Depending on the class size and time you have, you may choose to take prayer requests.

3. Pivot Presentation

1. To Pivot means to turn or revolve around a central point or hub which is the lesson topic.
2. The Pivot Point is the central point of the lesson.
3. The Pivot Trait is the characteristic or virtue focused on in the lesson.
4. The Pivot Verse is a Bible verse connected to the lesson topic and Pivot Point.

The “Pivots” can be repeated and reinforced at different points in the lesson.

4. Pivot Game

The Pivot game is an action game, and often a relay that you guessed it, is based on the Pivot Point, Trait or Verse. This game gets kids moving around and interacting together as a large group with a common goal or competitively in smaller groups or teams. Often, it is a great segue into the Bible story.

If you don’t like competitive games, the games can be modified to a large group game working against the clock for the best time or best score as one team.

5. Bible Story

This is the most important component of a fun Bible lesson for kids. The goal is to present God and His Word in an interesting and engaging way to share His love, mercy, forgiveness, and power. And, to let kids know He wants to know them intimately and participate in every part of their lives while empowering them to accomplish awesome things by His Spirit.

We aren’t telling lifeless stories, with fictional characters! The Bible is His living Word that is truth; It is relevant and powerful! He worked in REAL people in REAL events in Bible times; He works in REAL people (US) today to accomplish His purpose and invites us to participate in His work alongside Him! What an exciting privilege we have to share this with our kids!

Fun Bible Lessons uses a number of different approaches and methods to present these rich Bible truths. You can also enhance the stories with images, videos, and other types of media and tools available online. Sometimes you will see a link to an optional resource, like a video, that I think will enhance the Bible story.

The Pivot Object introduced earlier in the lesson is re-introduced and its connection to the lesson is revealed and discussed.

6. Personal Pivot (Application)

This is a discussion time to help kids understand how to apply the Bible story truths to their own lives. How is the lesson relevant to me today? Most likely, your kids won’t need to call down fire from heaven as Elijah did, but they will face situations where they must choose to stand for God or follow the crowd. Peer pressure is even greater today thanks to social media and instant access to just about anything.

This is a time to ask questions to provoke deeper thought. How do you think Elijah felt when…., Have you ever felt like you were the only one who served God? What do you think might have happened if Elijah backed down from King Ahab? Where does boldness like Elijah displayed come from? Do you think God can still give us boldness today?

I try to avoid Yes and No answers as much as possible. This is a chance to challenge kids to consider “what ifs” and the impact of choices and the consequences or blessings that may result from their choices or actions.

7. Object Lesson

The object lesson (object talk) is a fun and engaging way to practically illustrate Bible story truths using everyday objects and situations. It is an effective and powerful way to illustrate in a different way what has been taught.

Sometimes children are invited to participate and are always asked questions to consider and respond to. Brainstorming effective and fun object lessons is one of my very favorite parts of creating Bible lessons. They often give me an excuse to play with some of my kid’s toys too!

8. Pivot Posts

In this simple and fun activity, kids express themselves on “social platforms.” They can “tweet” “text” or “snap” a photo (draw a picture) to share an important or impactful event or moment from the Bible story imagining that they live in Bible times and are eyewitnesses to what took place.

Kids may choose both a serious and funny comment or picture. True, there are pros and cons to social media platforms for children and adults, but instead of condemning or ignoring it, why not emphasize the positives and how they can be used for good. Social media can be an effective and powerful tool to encourage others, show God’s love AND get the “Word” out!

The kids (if they desire) are given the opportunity to share their “posts” with the class.

This is an excellent way to find out what your kids took away from the Bible Story.

9. Pivot Verse Activity

The Pivot Verse activity is a fun way for children to hear, remember and understand the lesson’s memory verse. Various versions of the Bible are used for this verse. The goal of the Pivot Verse activity is not just to memorize the verse but to have the kids “handle” and repeat it so it sinks deeper into their spirit. By doing this the Holy Spirit can bring the verse to their remembrance when needed!

I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

10. Pivot Skit #1 (Character Skit)

TWO SKITS are included in every lesson!

Pivot Skits utilize fun, whacky sometimes over-the-top characters. The character typically interrupts the class sometime after the Bible Story and Pivot Discussion. The character interacts with the teacher and children to reinforce the Pivot Point.

One character we frequently use is named Info Al (short for InformerciAL). Info Al is a walking infomercial. More times than not, Al has misunderstood or “half-heard” the Bible Story or Pivot Point. Consequently, he enters selling some crazy, ridiculous product or method as an easy and convenient shortcut to properly applying the lesson truth.

His basic philosophy is “why do that when you can do this and save the time and trouble”. The goal is for the kids to see through his charade and set him straight with the truth!

Info Al naturally gets a kick out of himself and laughs loudly at his own jokes. He is boisterous, annoying, relentless, and full of himself.  Al elicits STRONG student response while the teacher remains unimpressed, impatient, and unmoved.

Another character we like to use is COACH. He/she enters (interrupts) the class by blowing a whistle and bouncing or carrying a ball or other piece of athletic equipment. Coach uses sports analogies and “real life” examples from his/her coaching experience to map out a game plan to be a champion and victorious in life!

Francois the French Chef, Professor Snodgrass, Carpenter Kim, Gardener Grace, and other memorable and over-the-top characters may also crash your classroom!

11. Pivot Skit #2 (Breaking News Interview)

And that’s not all! 🙂 In addition to the character skit, each lesson includes a breaking news “on location” interview by Nathan/Nina Newsworthy.

This character can be used anytime during or following the Bible story and Pivot Application/Discussion. We have even used this character during the Bible Story to change things up a bit.

Another option is to use Nathan/Nina in a mid-week or Sunday night service for a unique and fresh approach to the Bible Story, especially for those children who were in a Sunday morning class.    

Nathan is a Bible time reporter who arrives on the scene of a Bible story and interviews the main character or witnesses of an event. A Newsworthy skit requires at least two characters, the interviewer and the interviewee. At times there maybe be 3-4 needed for example of an interview of 3 of Jesus’ disciples.     

Nathan/Nina tries desperately to maintain serious journalism and stay on topic but often fails due to the antics and playful nature of the person he/she is interviewing. Nathan/Nina report for the Bible Broadcast Channel (BBC).

Character skits are a fantastic way to involve teens and adults in your ministry in an easy, quick, and fun way with minimal props and prep!

12. Pivot Deeper (Bible Activity)

In the Pivot Deeper activity, children dig deeper in their Bibles to explore the Bible Story and Pivot Point. The purpose of this activity is to help the children learn how to navigate the Bible and uncover nuggets of truth to apply.

Children can use their own Bibles or Bible App such as the CBN Superbook Bible App (my highest recommendation). It’s always a good idea to have Bible copies on hand for children who do not have one or forgot to bring it to class.

13. Level Up (Take Home Sheet)

This section is a simple printout you can send home with the kids. It consists of the following:

1. A brief summary of the Bible lesson
2. A Bible verse or passage to read, consider and if up for it – memorize all or part
3. A challenge to practically apply the Bible lesson
4. A suggested prayer topic

As you can see, each Bible lesson is packed with many different options to engage, enrich, and encourage your kids to grow in the knowledge of God and discover the depth of His love through Jesus Christ.