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L e v e l s o f B i b l i c a l L e a r n i n g : P r e t e e n
Inside—visual milestones
to help you guide
kids in their
spiritual growth!
Levels of Biblical LearningAt LifeWay, we work hard to know kids. We take
time to understand how they play and how they learn.
And we know you need resources you can count on to
connect kids to God’s Word—leading them toward knowing
Christ and growing in relationship with Him. That’s why LifeWay
Kids promises to offer foundational resources that are biblically
sound, age appropriate, fun and easy to use. These foundational
resources help kids hear God’s Word, know God’s Word, and do God’s
Word by learning to apply it to their lives.
All of the resources we offer are built on the information in
this document called LifeWay’s Levels of Biblical Learning. This
simple but important ministry tool was developed by experts
to provide you with visible milestones as you guide kids
in their spiritual growth as they hear, know, and
do God’s Word. It provides teachers, parents, and
ministers of preschoolers and children with milestones related
to biblical knowledge, skills, and attitudes at the designated
levels from birth through preteens. Levels of Biblical Learning
gives a coordinated approach from birth through preteens by
using ten concept areas—God, Jesus,
the Bible, Creation, Family, Self,
Church, Community & World,
Holy Spirit, and Salvation. In
developing Levels of Biblical
Learning, we had four
basic assumptions.
Adapted from the original introduction to the Levels of Biblical Learning written by Thomas L. Sanders. Thomas L. Sanders is Director of the Master of Arts in Christian Education: Childhood Ministry, Gary Cook Graduate School of Leadership at Dallas Baptist University.
The Bible as Our Textbook—The Bible is the basis for everything taught in Bible study settings. Bible content is also the basis for the development of all teaching procedures.
The Child as Learner—Preschoolers and children are the focus of our teaching. Their understanding, needs, and interests are important considerations in determining how to approach Bible content. Bible study resources must touch the head, the heart, and the hands (body) of the child to create life-changing experiences.
The Teacher as Guide—The teacher, whether teaching in an open or closed group Bible study, must focus on the five functions of the church—evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, andworship. The teacher must provide activities that will involve children in learning, will guide children to correct information, and will share the biblical revelation. In addition to teaching Bible truths, teachers must live out the biblical message in front of children and parents.
Parents as Primary Teachers—The primary responsibility for religious instruction of preschoolers and children belongs to parents. The Holy Spirit works through Christian parents as they teach biblical truths in word and action. The church and its ministries must assist and support parents as spiritual leaders by training them and teaching their children.
The ten concept areas offer a broad biblical framework for guiding parents, teachers, and LifeWay curriculum developers in teaching children from birth through sixth grade. It is important to see the correlation and connectivity of the concept areas. Teaching about God and Jesus in the early years play an important role in helping the child understand salvation later in life. The concept areas provide a biblical framework for laying a foundation that becomes the pathway to conversion, spiritual growth, and a biblical worldview. Eight of the concepts are foundational/prerequisite to the more advanced concepts of Holy Spirit and Salvation which are distinctive to first through sixth grade.
As you read the chart, it is good to remember that: • Although children develop spiritually in similar ways, the rate of that development will vary. Some
children may understand concepts at an earlier or later age than indicated on the chart.
• Certain concepts are introduced later when that concept and content are more useful and meaningful to the child.
• While God nor His attributes change, a child’s level of understanding and vocabulary does change. It is important to see that small nuances in words and slight changes in concepts are significant in the mind of a growing child. From an adult’s perspective, it may seem minor, but these small steps are important for the child’s understanding.
• When teaching or developing resources for broad-age groupings of children, concepts may be combined or adapted to meet the needs of the group.
We hope you’ll find this ministry tool helpful. The Levels of Biblical Learning are another reason why you’ll find that year after year, LifeWay Kids is the choice you can trust.
1
2
3
4
Age - Group
Concept Area: God
Bible Passageand Story
Bible Truth
Life Application
Bible-LearningExperience
The following information will help you see how the concept areas of Levels of Biblical Learning can relate to individual sessions and specific activities in preschool and children’s curriculum materials.
Preteen
God’s care and concern exists regardless of people’s circumstances.
1 Kings 17:1-16God Helped Elijah
God provides for His people.
I can trust God to provide for me each day.
EXPRESS YOURSELFChoice 2: “God Will Meet My Needs” Radio Commercial
Preteens will begin by using the learner guide to distinguish between some of their wants and needs as they work to learn that God’s care and concern exist in spite of people’s circumstances. Then they will look at the memory verse, Philippians 4:19. They will look at needs of preteens in general and will write a radio commercial script that identifies some needs that may not be common to all preteens, but are circumstances in which today’s preteens need God’s care. Preteens are encouraged to use the memory verse as part of their “hook” line at the end of the commercials.
Talking to Children About SalvationWhen talking to a child about salvation: * Ask follow-up questions. When a child asks a question, often he does not know exactly what to ask. Get
clarification before deciding how to answer a question. For example, you might say, “Tell me more about what you are thinking,” or “What made you ask that question? Where did you hear about this?” Remember, many times the question a child asks may not be the actual question for which he is needing an answer. Avoid asking questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.”
* Avoid giving more information than a child needs. Adults can be tempted to tell all they know on a subject. When a child asks a question, only answer what the child is asking. If a child asks for more information, be more specific with your answers.
* Don’t jump to conclusions. A child may ask, “Why did Andy get baptized?” This question may be only a request for information, not a request for the gospel presentation.
* Speak in clear terms. Avoid symbolic analogies that may distract from discussion and understanding.
* Use simple wording. Rather than using the phrase “accepting Jesus into your heart,” say the words “becoming a Christian.”
Steps in talking with a child about God’s plan for salvation:1. God loves you and has a great plan for you (Psalm 139:13-16). Talk about these truths: God made the world,
God made people, God made you, God wants to have a relationship with people, and God wants to have a relationship with you. Say, “Tell me one way you know God loves you.”
2. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Everyone must understand that he is separated from God. Sin is best understood as choosing to do things our way instead of God’s way. (Give some examples of sin such as disobedience, ungratefulness, untruthfulness, etc.) Then ask the child: “Have you sinned? What does God think about sin?” Point out that everyone has sinned.
3. Even though we choose to sin, God still loves us and offers to forgive us (Romans 5:8). Ask, “How do you think it makes God feel when you sin?” Focus on the fact that God loves the child even when he sins. Say: “God promised that one day a Savior would come and not sin and would die for all people. Do you know who that Savior is? Did you know that He died for you?”
4. Jesus died for us (John 3:16). Talk about John 3:16 and explain that because sin separates people from God, everyone needs a Savior. Ask, “Do you know why Jesus died?” Say, “Jesus loved you so much. He willingly died for you, so you could be with God forever.” If the child is old enough to understand the resurrection, say, “Jesus rose from the dead, so we could have eternal life.”
5. You can become a Christian by confessing that Jesus is your Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9). Ask, “Would you like to be a Christian?” State that the word confess means to say that Jesus is your Savior and that you must: Admit you have sinned Believe that Jesus is God’s Son Confess that Jesus is Savior and Lord
6. Review and follow up. Encourage a child to tell you in his own words what he understands and believes. Either ask the child to repeat a prayer after you or help the child know what to say in his prayer. After the prayer, read Romans 10:13 and remind him that this verse is a promise. Jesus will be his Savior forever.
About Baptism:* Always make distinctions between baptism and becoming a Christian. Point out that becoming a Christian
comes first, and then baptism follows because it is a way of showing he has become a Christian.
* Avoid emphasizing the emotional side of the baptism experience. Keep in mind that public recognition should not become a motivating factor for making a decision.
Pre
teen
God
Jesu
sB
ible
Crea
tion
Fam
ily
The
Bibl
e is
ete
rnal
.
The
Bibl
e is
God
’s m
essa
ge
abou
t Him
self.
The
Bibl
e is
the
only
wri
tten
W
ord
of G
od.
The
Bibl
e te
lls m
e th
at s
alva
tion
thro
ugh
Jesu
s is
God
’s gi
ft.
The
Bibl
e ap
plie
s to
per
sona
l an
d so
cial
issu
es.
The
Bibl
e te
lls m
e ho
w p
eopl
e’s
lives
wer
e af
fect
ed b
y th
eir
resp
onse
s to
God
.
The
Bibl
e is
for
peop
le o
f all
lan-
guag
es, e
thni
citie
s, a
nd c
ultu
res.
Crea
tion
can
be c
redi
ted
to
God
onl
y.
God
cre
ated
peo
ple
in H
is
own
imag
e.
God
’s cr
eate
d or
der i
s go
vern
ed
by H
is la
ws.
God
help
s peo
ple
to d
isco
ver,
unde
rsta
nd, a
nd u
se H
is
reso
urce
s.
God
wan
ts m
e to
feel
sec
ure
beca
use
He
mad
e th
e w
orld
, is
stil
l at w
ork
in it
, and
car
es
wha
t hap
pens
to m
e.G
od w
ants
me
to p
rais
e H
im fo
r H
is c
reat
ion.
Fam
ilies
are
par
t of G
od’s
plan
for
prov
idin
g m
y ph
ysic
al, s
piri
tual
, m
enta
l, so
cial
, and
em
otio
nal n
eeds
.
Unde
rsta
ndin
g th
at e
ach
fam
ily m
embe
r is
a p
erso
n of
sig
nific
ance
an
d w
orth
can
hel
p m
e re
late
to h
er.
God
’s pl
an is
for p
aren
ts to
lead
fam
ilies
ac
cord
ing
to H
is W
ord
and
will
.
Each
per
son
in m
y fa
mily
has
a
cont
ribu
tion
to m
ake
to th
e fa
mily
.
God
wan
ts m
e to
hel
p le
ad m
y fa
mily
in
wor
ship
.
God
wan
ts m
e to
sho
w lo
ve, r
espe
ct,
coop
erat
ion,
and
con
side
ratio
n fo
r al
l pe
rson
s in
my
fam
ily.
God
love
s an
d ca
res
for f
amili
es in
all
kind
s
of s
ituat
ions
.
My
fam
ily c
an s
how
God
’s lo
ve a
nd c
are
to
othe
r pe
ople
reg
ardl
ess
of th
eir
circ
umst
ance
s by
min
iste
ring
to th
eir
need
s.
God
is e
tern
al, h
oly,
and
perf
ect.
God
the
Crea
tor
is to
be
wor
ship
ed, n
ot H
is c
reat
ions
.
God
is o
mni
pres
ent.
God
kno
ws
the
desi
res
of
my
hear
t but
stil
l wan
ts
me
to p
ray.
God
’s ca
re a
nd c
once
rn e
xist
re
gard
less
of p
eopl
e’s
circ
umst
ance
s.
God’
s lov
e is
not
lim
ited
by ti
me,
sp
ace,
cul
ture
, or e
thni
city
.
God
pro
ved
His
unc
ondi
tiona
l lo
ve fo
r pe
ople
thro
ugh
the
sacr
ifice
of J
esus
Chr
ist.
God
wan
ts p
eopl
e to
wor
ship
H
im w
ith a
ll th
eir
hear
ts, s
ouls
, m
inds
, and
str
engt
h.
Beca
use
God
des
erve
s re
spec
t, ob
edie
nce,
and
hon
or,
God
nu
rtur
es a
nd d
isci
plin
es
Chri
stia
ns.
God
is o
mni
pote
nt.
God
is r
ight
eous
.
God
is o
mni
scie
nt.
Peop
le b
elie
ve in
diff
eren
t god
s,
but t
here
is o
nly
one
true
God
. G
od is
God
the
Fath
er, G
od th
e So
n, a
nd G
od th
e H
oly
Spir
it (T
rini
ty).
God
pla
nned
for
Jesu
s fr
om th
e be
ginn
ing
of ti
me.
Jesu
s w
as b
orn
of a
vir
gin.
Jesu
s w
as G
od in
hum
an fo
rm.
Jesu
s ta
ught
that
true
w
orsh
iper
s m
ust w
orsh
ip
in s
piri
t and
trut
h.
Jesu
s ta
ught
abo
ut fa
ith, t
rust
, an
d ob
edie
nce
to G
od.
Jesu
s pe
rfor
med
mir
acle
s be
caus
e H
e is
God
’s So
n.
Jesu
s w
ants
peo
ple
to b
e tr
ansf
orm
ed b
y H
im.
Jesu
s’ cr
ucifi
xion
, bur
ial,
and
resu
r-re
ctio
n w
ere
a ne
cess
ary
part
of
God
’s pl
an fo
r th
e fo
rgiv
enes
s of
sin
.
Jesu
s is
the
Mes
siah
and
Sav
ior,
and
God
sen
t Him
to fu
lfill
His
pro
mis
e of
red
empt
ion.
Jesu
s is
hol
y an
d pe
rfec
t.
The
asce
nsio
n de
scri
bes
Jesu
s’ re
turn
to h
eave
n.
Jesu
s w
ill r
etur
n to
ea
rth
som
eday
.
Chur
chCo
mm
unit
y an
d W
orld
Pre
teen
The
chur
ch is
a fe
llow
ship
of b
aptiz
ed b
elie
vers
whe
re
all p
eopl
e ar
e w
elco
med
and
wan
ted.
The
func
tions
of
the
chur
ch a
re e
vang
elis
m, d
isci
ples
hip,
fello
wsh
ip,
min
istr
y, an
d w
orsh
ip.
Chur
ches
ord
ain
peop
le to
do
cert
ain
task
s.
Belie
vers
are
to ta
ke G
od’s
mes
sage
into
the
wor
ld.
Corp
orat
e w
orsh
ip is
the
resp
onsi
bilit
y of
all
chur
ch m
embe
rs.
Each
bel
ieve
r is
giv
en o
ne o
r m
ore
spir
itual
gift
s.
Belie
vers
use
spi
ritu
al g
ifts
to d
o G
od’s
wor
k. Th
e bo
dy a
nd b
lood
of J
esus
are
rep
rese
nted
in
the
Lord
’s Su
pper
.Ba
ptis
m b
y im
mer
sion
is a
sym
bol o
f Jes
us’ d
eath
, bu
rial
, and
res
urre
ctio
n.
Chur
ches
toda
y are
par
t of t
he m
ovem
ent b
egun
by J
esus
an
d H
is fo
llow
ers.
Beca
use
God
val
ues
peop
le o
f all
natio
nalit
ies
and
cultu
res,
I w
ill r
espe
ct a
nd v
alue
eac
h pe
rson
.
God
wan
ts p
eopl
e to
join
Him
in w
hat H
e is
doi
ng in
the
wor
ld.
All C
hris
tians
are
cal
led
to b
e on
mis
sion
with
God
.
God
wan
ts p
eopl
e to
pra
y co
nsis
tent
ly fo
r m
issi
onar
ies
and
peop
le g
roup
s an
d fo
r th
eir
pers
onal
invo
lvem
ent i
n m
issi
ons.
God
wan
ts m
e to
coo
pera
te a
nd w
ork
with
oth
ers
will
ingl
y.
God
wan
ts p
eopl
e to
look
for
oppo
rtun
ities
to h
elp
peop
le o
f al
l eth
nici
ties,
and
cul
ture
s.
Stew
ards
hip
of m
oney
, tim
e, ta
lent
s, a
nd p
osse
ssio
ns
help
s ot
hers
lear
n ab
out G
od a
nd J
esus
.
God
hel
ps p
eopl
e to
sha
re th
eir
faith
in J
esus
with
thos
e w
ho
have
diff
eren
t bel
iefs
.Go
d w
ants
peo
ple
to g
ive
and
acce
pt fo
rgiv
enes
s fro
m o
ther
s.
Self
Life
is a
gift
from
God
.
I can
app
reci
ate
my
valu
e as
a p
erso
n G
od lo
ves.
I can
take
res
pons
ibili
ty fo
r m
y ch
oice
s an
d th
eir
cons
eque
nces
.
God
will
hel
p Ch
rist
ians
kno
w a
nd u
se th
eir
spir
itual
gift
s.
God
wan
ts m
e to
com
mun
icat
e w
ith H
im
and
stud
y th
e Bi
ble
daily
.
I can
take
del
iber
ate
actio
ns to
gro
w in
Ch
rist
liken
ess.
I am
acc
ount
able
to G
od fo
r th
e w
ay I
trea
t ot
her
peop
le.
I can
live
with
joy
rega
rdle
ss o
f my
circ
umst
ance
s. I c
an u
nder
stan
d an
d fo
llow
God
’s sp
ecifi
c pl
an
for
my
life.
I can
ack
now
ledg
e an
d fo
llow
God
’s au
thor
ity
in m
y lif
e.
My
body
is G
od’s
tem
ple.
My
self-
cont
rol a
nd o
bedi
ence
to G
od c
an h
elp
me
stan
d up
to p
eer p
ress
ure.
My
self-
cont
rol
hono
rs G
od a
nd b
enef
its m
e.
I can
take
del
iber
ate
actio
ns to
ask
for f
orgi
vene
ss
and
rest
ore
rela
tions
hips
.
God
exp
ects
me
to r
emai
n pu
re in
all
aspe
cts
of
my
life.
Leve
ls o
f B
ibli
cal
Lea
rnin
g
Pre
teen
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
is th
e co
mfo
rter
.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
was
pre
sent
in J
esus
’ life
and
min
istr
y. G
od’s
Spir
it w
as a
ctiv
e in
cre
atio
n.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
help
s pe
ople
kno
w, u
nder
stan
d, a
nd
rem
embe
r al
l thi
ngs
abou
t God
.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
urge
s pe
ople
to a
ccep
t God
’s sa
lvat
ion.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
is p
art o
f the
Tri
nity
.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
ente
rs th
e Ch
rist
ian’
s lif
e w
hen
he
acce
pts
Jesu
s as
his
Sav
ior
and
Lord
.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
insp
ired
Bib
le w
rite
rs a
nd b
reat
hed
God
’s W
ord.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
help
s be
lieve
rs g
row
in th
eir
rela
tions
hips
with
God
and
with
oth
ers.
The
Hol
y Sp
irit
empo
wer
s be
lieve
rs to
tell
othe
rs a
bout
Je
sus
and
His
pla
n of
sal
vatio
n.
Hol
y Sp
irit
Salv
atio
n
God
had
a p
lan
for
salv
atio
n be
fore
the
begi
nnin
g of
tim
e be
caus
e H
e lo
ves
me
unco
nditi
onal
ly.
The
Bibl
e te
lls m
e G
od s
ent J
esus
, so
I can
hav
e a
pers
onal
rel
atio
nshi
p w
ith G
od.
Salv
atio
n is
a g
ift fr
om G
od.
With
out a
Sav
ior,
the
puni
shm
ent f
or s
in is
ete
rnal
de
ath
and
hell.
Jesu
s to
ok th
e pu
nish
men
t for
eve
ryon
e’s
sin.
Whe
n th
e H
oly
Spir
it co
nvic
ts m
e of
my
sin,
I ca
n tr
ust
Jesu
s as
my
pers
onal
sav
ior.
Chri
stia
ns c
an k
now
that
Jes
us w
ill b
e th
eir
pers
onal
Sa
vior
fore
ver.
I can
und
erst
and
I nee
d a
pers
onal
and
gro
win
g re
latio
nshi
p w
ith J
esus
. I c
an e
xper
ienc
e jo
y w
hen
I rec
ogni
ze G
od is
at
wor
k in
my
life
and
in th
e liv
es o
f oth
er p
eopl
e.
Certain stories are so important that they must be taught frequently during childhood so that the child will understand not only the facts of the story but the biblical principles that it communicates. Listed below are examples of foundational Bible stories that preschoolers and children will study. Boys and girls will learn biblical concepts through these and additional Bible stories.
Foundational Bible Stories
Babies–KindergartenGod Made the World and Everything in ItAdam and Eve’s Choice*God Made FamiliesNoah and the ArkJosephMiriam and Baby MosesRuth’s FamilyHannah’s Prayer and Boy SamuelDavid Helped His FamilyDavid and JonathanSolomon and the TempleGod Helped ElijahElisha’s Friends HelpedDaniel Obeyed God and Chose Good FoodJesus’ Birth and Related EventsJesus Went to ChurchJesus Chose Special HelpersFour Friends Who HelpedJesus Fed the PeopleA Woman Gave Her MoneyThe Good SamaritanJesus Visited Mary and MarthaThe Man Who Said Thank-YouZacchaeus Met JesusJesus and the ChildrenJesus Talked to the Woman at the WellChildren Sang for JesusJesus Is Alive! *Breakfast with JesusPhilip and the EthiopianTimothy Learned About GodPaul Taught Lydia About JesusChurch Helpers* Introduced in Kindergarten.
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range tobottom edge
Grades 1–6All stories listed for babies—kindergarten and the following:
Cain and AbelAbram’s CallGod’s Covenant with Abraham **The Sacrifice of Isaac ***Isaac and the WellsJacob Tricked EsauJoseph’s StoryMoses and the Burning BushThe Plagues and the ExodusThe Ten CommandmentsJoshua and CalebThe Fall of JerichoDeborah, Gideon, or SamsonDavid and GoliathElijah and the Prophets of BaalNaaman’s HealingDaniel’s Friends in the FurnaceDaniel in the Lion’s DenEstherJesus’ Birth and Related EventsJesus’ Baptism and TemptationsThe Sermon on the MountJesus Performed MiraclesJesus and the StormThe Transfiguration ***The Prodigal SonThe Raising of LazarusJesus’ Crucifixion and ResurrectionJesus’ Post Resurrection AppearancesJesus’ Ascension **The Jerusalem ChurchStephen **Peter’s EscapePaul’s Missionary Journeys** Introduced in Grades 3-4 ***Introduced in Grades 5-6