Sunday School Lessons for Month of August, Back to School for your Kids Ministry

Hey kids! Can you believe it’s already August? This month, as we get ready for a new school year, our theme is Courageous Kids!

Going back to school can be exciting, but it can also feel a little big or even scary sometimes. We’re going to learn from some of the bravest heroes in the Bible about how to be strong and courageous, no matter what happens. Through awesome games, super fun crafts, and amazing stories, we’ll discover how to trust God to be brave every single day.

Get ready to be a courageous kid for Jesus!

More Bible Lessons for August

This set of lessons focuses on the theme of “Heroes of Faith,” using stories of brave individuals from the Bible to teach children about courage, trust, and standing up for what’s right.

Back-to-School Ministry Tips

Since August is a transition month, here are some practical tips to make sure your ministry runs smoothly:

• Create a Welcoming Atmosphere: Expect new children to visit as families get back into a routine. Have a clear check-in process, friendly volunteers at the door, and a designated “new kid” buddy to help them feel comfortable.
• Keep It Simple: With children’s minds on school, keep crafts and activities straightforward and not overly complex. Simple crafts like coloring pages or cut-and-paste activities are perfect for this time of year.
• Blessing for the School Year: Dedicate a few minutes during the last week of August to have a special prayer for the children and their teachers. You can ask each child to share one thing they’re excited or worried about for the new school year.
• Organize Your Supplies: Use this time to go through your storage and reorganize supplies. Make sure you have plenty of essentials like crayons, glue sticks, construction paper, and snacks on hand.

David’s Courage

• Theme: Trusting God gives us the courage to face big challenges.
• Bible Story: The story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
• Activity Idea: A simple slingshot target practice game using soft balls. Discuss how David used what he had and trusted God instead of relying on his own strength.
• Key Verse: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)

Craft Idea: God is My Strength” Sling Bag

As they place five small rocks or pom-poms inside, discuss how David chose his five smooth stones and trusted God to be his strength against Goliath.

Description: A simple craft that represents David’s shepherd’s bag and reminds kids that their strength comes from God.

Materials: Brown paper lunch bags, hole punch, yarn or string, markers, and five small, round rocks or pom-poms.

Instructions:

1. Have the children decorate the brown paper bag to look like a shepherd’s bag.
2. Use the hole punch to make two holes at the top of the bag.
3. Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to create a strap for the bag.

Esther’s Brave Stand

• Theme: Using our influence and voice to help others.
• Bible Story: The story of Queen Esther saving her people (Book of Esther).
• Activity Idea: Make simple paper crowns and discuss how Esther’s crown and position gave her the chance to be brave.
• Key Verse: “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

Craft Idea: Royal Crown

• Description: A simple, fun craft that helps kids imagine themselves as King and Queen Esther. This is perfect for younger children.
• Materials: Stiff paper or cardstock (gold or white), glitter, sequins, plastic gems, glue, scissors.
• Instructions: Cut crown shapes out of the cardstock. Let the kids decorate their crowns with glue and glitter, and stick on gems and sequins to make them look royal. As they work, discuss how Esther was brave and used her position to help others.

Daniel’s Faithfulness

• Theme: Standing firm in our faith even when it’s not easy.
• Bible Story: Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6).
• Activity Idea: A game of “Trust the Leader,” where kids are blindfolded and guided by a leader to a goal. This helps illustrate how Daniel trusted God completely.
• Key Verse: “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.” (Daniel 6:22)

Paper Plate Lion Mask

• Description: A fun and simple craft that lets kids become a lion from the story. It’s perfect for younger children.
• Materials: Paper plates, orange and yellow construction paper, markers or crayons, scissors, glue, and a rubber band or string.
• Instructions:
  1. Have the children color the center of the paper plate to look like a lion’s face.
  2. Cut strips of orange and yellow paper and glue them around the edge of the plate to create a mane.
  3. Cut out two eye holes.
  4. Punch a small hole on each side of the plate and tie a string or rubber band through the holes so the kids can wear the mask.

The Disciples’ Journey

• Theme: Following Jesus and telling others about Him.
• Bible Story: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and the early church in Acts.
• Activity Idea: A fun “missionary relay” game where teams have to “pack a bag” with mission-themed items and then race to deliver them.
• Key Verse: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)

“My Mission Passport” Craft

This craft is a fun and personal way for kids to remember the Great Commission and their own role in sharing God’s love with the world. It’s a physical reminder that they are called to “go” and tell others about Jesus, starting right where they are.

Description:

Children will create a simple paper passport to represent their personal “mission field.” The passport will include pages for them to draw or write about people they can share Jesus with (their family, friends, and school) and a page with the key verse to help them remember their mission.

Materials:

• Colored cardstock or construction paper (for the cover)
• White printer paper (for the inside pages)
• Scissors
• Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
• Stapler
• Stickers (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Cover: Have each child fold a piece of colored cardstock in half to create a booklet. On the front, they can write “My Mission Passport” and decorate it with a picture of a globe, a cross, or a heart.
2. Create the Inside Pages: Fold two or three pieces of white printer paper in half and place them inside the cardstock cover. Staple the booklet together along the folded seam to create the passport.
3. Fill the Pages: Guide the kids to fill the pages with the following sections:
   • Page 1: “My Family” – Have them draw pictures of their family members.
   • Page 2: “My Friends” – They can write the names of their friends or draw a picture of them playing together.
   • Page 3: “My School” – Encourage them to draw a picture of their school, teacher, or classmates.
   • Page 4: “My Mission Verse” – This page should be a large reminder of the key verse. You can write it on a whiteboard and have them copy it: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
4. Discuss the Meaning: As the kids work, remind them that their “mission field” starts with the people in their lives—their families, friends, and classmates. The craft helps them think about who they can share Jesus’ love with every day.

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