For kids, a new year might not mean much more than having a new date to write down or purchasing a new wall calendar. However, a new year is a great time to explore some important Biblical truths. As we see people making New Year’s resolutions to improve themselves, we recognize that on our own power, we can do nothing. Only through Christ can true change take place from the inside out. God welcomes us into His family, making us a new creation cleansed from sin and inviting us to new life in Him.
Lesson focus: This lesson looks at a few important verses to consider how we are made new in Jesus. It can be important to make goals or to use a new year as an opportunity to do things better, but we cannot simply change ourselves by sheer will power. Flipping a calendar to January does not automatically alter the way we are. But God can transform our hearts and lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
More Teaching Ideas:
- Compare our previous John 1:10-18 Sunday School Lesson
- Compare an alternate children’s sermon and kids church ideas on this passage
- Download our New Year coloring pages or purchase our 4-Week New Year’s Curriculum
Children’s Sermon Lesson
New Year, New You! Children’s Message on Transformation through Jesus. A new year is often a time when people make goals and resolutions to transform and change themselves. However, we know that on our own we can do nothing. True change must come from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This message reminds children that we are adopted into God’s family, and we have new identity in Him. Any change we hope to achieve comes through Him and new life we have in Him. All things are possible through Christ!
Bible Craft Ideas
Resolutions…from the Inside Out! Craft Ideas for New Year and Strength in Christ. The start of a new calendar year is a time that finds many people making goals and resolutions for themselves. As Christians, we recognize that striving for improvement is wonderful, but that we can do nothing without Jesus and the true change made by the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. These crafts celebrate the ringing in of a new year, and the importance of focusing hopes and expectations on Christ. A noisemaker allows joyful enthusiasm and reminds children to focus on Jesus. A “pop up scroll” displays prayers, goals, and ideas for a new year.
New Year’s Coloring Page for Sunday School
Suggested Bible Memory Verse Song
Bible Story Video
John 1:10-18 ESV
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. –John 1:10-18