Christian Fiction Books - Books for Kids

Christian fiction books are hard to come by for kids, middle grades, and young teens nowadays. There are quite a few Christian fiction books on the market for adults, but don't our kids need Christian books too?

Author, Annette Phillips, has released her latest Christian fiction book - Hidden Arrows.

She has written it with boys and girls in mind ages 9 to 13 years. While there is a boyfriend/girlfriend plot between the two main characters, Kenton and Anali, the book doesn't focus fully on this instead it is packed full of mystery and adventure and how the two must work together to solve the mystery.

Kids will love how the story keeps rolling from beginning to end with very little down time. For kids who don't like scary mysteries, I can assure you this one is not scary at all. It leans more toward adventure with a bit of a mystery threw into the mix.

Here is the book details as described by the author:

For as long as Kenton can remember, his parents have pushed him and his older brother into a life of all basketball, all the time. But that changes when Kenton stumbles into a series of mysterious grave robberies. He, with the help of a Cherokee girl named Anali, discovers that life can be dangerous if you choose the wrong path.

 

Kenton finds himself talking to God after experiencing Anali's faith, and in the end discovers that choosing to go the distance for his troubled brother after being told to 'let it go' saves his entire family.


Even though the story talks about basketball and how his parents push him and his brother into it, there is very little basketball related parts. Although, boys and girls who love basketball will appreciate how its intertwined within the books pages.

You can pick up "Hidden Arrows" available now on Amazon. You can also find more Annette Phillips' books by clicking here.


 

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The Love of God - Sunday School Coloring Page

The love of God goes far beyond what we feel sitting in the church pew. God's love is all around us. It's in the wind that blows, the trees that grow, the flowers that bloom, the sun that warms us. God's love is endless and all we need to do is look around.

When talking about God's love with your Sunday school class, be sure to talk about all the things God made because he loves us.

Ask the kids to name some things God made.

Wait for answers.

If no one says, "God made me!", be sure to talk about it. Go through the kids in your class and say each of their names (example: God loves Landon. God loves Summer. God loves Avery.)

You can then talk about God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins. He died so that one day we can go to heaven to live forever!

The Love of God Sunday School Coloring Page

You can use this as a plain coloring page or you can use it as a craft too. After the kids color the letters J-E-S-U-S, let them cut them out and glue them to construction paper. Have some confetti and tissue paper available for the kids to decorate the rest of the page.

When the kids are done, they can give it to someone special especially if it is on Valentine's Day.

Find more Sunday School Coloring Pages!

 

 

Bonus Craft Ideas!!

 

Great to give on Valentine's Day or hang in their bedroom!

 

 

"Jesus Loves Me" Picture Frame Magnet Craft Kit (makes 12)

Set of 6 JESUS Loves Me VELVET DIY Coloring POSTER 6" X 9", EACH with 6 Markers

 

 

 

Note: Letters used in coloring page was designed by coloringbuddymike.

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The Love of God Sunday School Activity - Great for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. With the thoughts of love in the air, why not teach your kids about the love of God and what it means to them?

God's love is like no other love in the world.

In fact, God's love is so great he sent his only begotten son to die on the cross for our sins so that we could one day go to heaven to live with him forever.

Jesus loves us so much that he willingly died on the cross for our sins.

What an amazing kind of love!

And take a second to 'Like' this inspiring Facebook page! 

Bonus Idea: Gift for your Class

I also found these amazing little hearts you can hand out to your class and instead of throwing them away like they would paper Valentine cards, they can plant them. Give each child two or three of these little hears along with a small pot and a bit of potting soil in a baggie.

When the kids get home, they can plant the hearts and watch them grow!!

54 Plantable Teeny Heart Seed Shapes

The Love of God Sunday School Activity

Below are three different Sunday school activities. The first is for older kids, the second for elementary kids, and the bottom one is for small children.

If you'd like, print off the top one for the adults in your church and let them work it out!

Tip: Since you know the answer, you can always fill in the numbers before handing out the puzzles if you feel they are too hard.

Adult and Teen Puzzle

This one is pretty tough.

If needed, the bible verse is listed at the top of the printout.

John 15:13 KJV

The puzzle is titled: Love of a Lifetime

The answer is:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Elementary Puzzle

The puzzle answer is:



We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV

Young Children Puzzle

There is a question at the top of the puzzle.

It asks, "Who loves you?"

The kids must figure out the puzzle to see who loves them.

The answer:

Jesus loves me!

Kids can also color in the letters at the top.

Get more FREE Sunday School Activities and Sunday School Games!!

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Palm Sunday Maze - Sunday School Activities

Palm Sunday
Photo Courtesy of Randi Hausken

Palm Sunday comes but once a year. While many children's favorite holiday is Christmas, Easter is my daughter's favorite and has been for years. Now, you are probably thinking she likes it because of the Easter Bunny.

That couldn't be further from the truth.

In fact, it is Easter as a whole. She loves the new life spring brings along with the promise of knowing that all the things that were either dormant or appearing to be 'dead' through the winter, will once again become alive again.

She associates this with the savior's death, burial, and his coming to life again!

After all, isn't that what Easter is about?

Our Savior dying for us and being ALIVE again!!

When teaching your class on Palm Sunday and it's mark on the Savior's trip to the cross, be sure to stress that although it was a sad time, the best is yet to come!!

Reassure your class that even though Jesus' ride into Jerusalem leads him to the cross, he doesn't stay there.

He arose from the dead and lives forever in heaven. This is a great time to talk about how they can live forever in heaven with him if only they ask him to be their savior.

While many young children won't fully understand, this will help plant a seed for their future. They will begin to ask questions and learn more about becoming a child of God.

Palm Sunday Maze

The first Palm Sunday maze is for older kids and the second one can be used for smaller children.

 

In this maze, the kids help the donkey get to Jesus who is

standing in the middle of the maze.

If kids prefer, they can start in the middle with Jesus and

make their way outward to the donkey.

 

This maze is for younger kids. They can help the donkey find Jesus in the middle or

help Jesus get to the donkey whichever they prefer.

 

Enjoy!

Happy Easter!

 

 

Find more Easter Sunday school activities!

 

 

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Easter Coloring Pages - Sunday School Coloring Pages

Easter Coloring Pages
Photo courtesy of McKay Savage

Yes, I know that it is still January when this is being posted, but I can't stop thinking about Easter. For one, we have had zero degree weather and are expecting snow with more frigid temperatures.

I think not only am I looking forward to the warmer weather that Easter brings, I am also looking forward to that time in Sunday school where I get to share the good news - He isn't here. He is risen!!

Praise God!!! Hallelujah!!!!

As you'll see in the Easter coloring page below, Jesus isn't hanging on the cross.

Do you know why?

To put it simply - He isn't there.

How different would it have been if Jesus had remained on the cross?

I don't ever want to imagine that. Our heavenly Father above had a much better plan than that. What was it?

Jesus arose from the dead and lives today in heaven! For those who have asked Jesus to be their savior, they will also live forever in heaven!

I thank God that I am one of those who have asked Jesus to save me. I will never have to worry again what comes after death. I know - eternal life.

This Easter, spread the good news - He is Risen!!!

Free Easter Coloring Pages

In this first coloring page, kids can color the letters of the bible verse, then cut out the letters and glue them onto a piece of colored construction paper. Pastel colors work nice. You may also want to use glue sticks so the glue will dry faster.

 

For smaller children, let them cut out each word while older kids can cut out each letter. This makes for a great craft the kids can take home and talk to their family about.

 

It is hard to tell in the picture below, but the verse is Matthew 28:6 which says, He is not here; for he is risen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more FREE Easter Coloring Pages!!

Easter Bulletin Board Ideas

Decorate an Easter Bulletin Board!!

 

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10 Commandments Word Search - Sunday School Activities

10 Commandments Activities
Photo courtesy of Ole Houen

The 10 Commandments Sunday school lesson is one of the most searched for lessons on our site.

It's because of this that we've decided to add an extra Sunday school activity to go along with it - a free word search puzzle!

The word search puzzle below can be printed off and used in your class to supplement the Sunday school lesson or you can use it as a review of the Ten Commandments before class starts.

In our Sunday school class, some kids come ten minutes early while some kids are five minutes late. This leaves time for the kids to either run around and get hyped up or to learn about God.

You only have your class a very short time each week. Use it to teach them as much about God as possible!

Sunday School Activity

Find more Sunday school activities!!

Here is a 10 Commandments Chart for your wall or door. It's great to have in your room so the kids can see it at all times. Be sure to go over each commandment from time to time so the kids don't forget them.

 

 

(Click the image)

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Moses in Egypt Word Search Puzzle - Sunday School Activities

Sunday School Activities
Photo courtesy of Rjruiziii

Many people in the bible have one story, but Moses has many. From his birth to his death, God allows us to follow the life of Moses.

His life was filled with good times and bad, but through it all God never left his side.

Thankfully, we have that same assurance.

God will never leave our side. Whether we are going through good times or bad, we can rest assured God is right there with us.

At the bottom of the page, I've added a video by Colton Dixon that affirms just what I'm saying. The lyrics are listed below the video. Just like the 'Footprints in the Sand' where God carries us at some times of our life, Colton sings about how God was never gone...

 

Free Word Search Puzzle - Moses in Egypt

 

 

 

 

Click to get FREE Moses Sunday school lessons

 

Colton Dixon - Never Gone Video

 

 

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Let My People Go - Moses and Pharaoh - Sunday School Lesson

While Moses didn't feel he was the right man for the job, God knew he was the perfect man for it! There are many times we are just like Moses and feel we just can't do what God needs us to do.

Whether it is go on a mission trip, spend a few more hours at church, lead VBS, visit the kids in your

Sunday school classroom outside of church or any number of things God needs us for, we need to
step up to the plate or risk missing out on blessings from God.

I know how your feeling.

More than likely, each and every one of you have been there at one time or another. Now, don't think I'm asking you to bite off more than you can chew. All I am asking is that you pray and listen for God's instructions.

When He gives you your next assignment, stand up and say, "Here I am!" just as Moses did when God spoke to him out of the burning bush.

Let My People Go - Sunday School Lesson

While the above section was intended for the Sunday school teacher, it can be used as the beginning of your lesson too.

Kids need to learn from a young age that when God needs them, they should be ready!

When God gave Moses the task of going to the Pharaoh over all of Egypt, Moses wasn't sure he was ready. In fact, he didn't want to go at all.

Instead, he told the Lord, "Lord, I don't speak very well. I am slow of speech."

Maybe Moses couldn't speak very well. Maybe he stuttered. What Moses should have realized was the God had made his mouth, his voice and his tongue. God needed Moses to tell the Pharaoh to let his people go and God would be with him. He could do it.

Why wouldn't Pharaoh let the Israelite people go?

You see, Pharaoh was afraid the Israelite people were going to grow so strong that they would one day take over Egypt. So, he made them his slaves. He wanted to keep them as slaves. He didn't want to let them go.

When Moses didn't want to go to Egypt to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go, God was angry.

God said, "Moses you have a brother named Aaron. He speaks very well. Take him with you. Don't worry Moses. I will teach you what to do and what to say. I will be with you through it all."

Moses and Aaron finally went to Pharaoh and although the Pharaoh didn't let the Israelite people go at first, God showed the Pharaoh who was in charge and eventually, he did let them go.

Bible Verse for this Lesson

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

 

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

If you have smaller kids and the verse is too long, you can break it down and just help them learn either...

In every thing give thanks:

 

or,

 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

What Can We Learn?

God never asks us to do something we are not capable of. Instead, he uses us in ways we never knew existed. During this lesson, stress to your class that each one of them have something special God has given them and whether they know what it is or not, God does knows and that's all that matters.

When God is with us, we shouldn't be scared.

It can be hard to step outside our comfort zone, but sometimes that's just what it takes - stepping out. I've added a video below. Listen to the song lyrics. It's all about stepping out even when your heart is telling you to give up.

If you are able, maybe you can show this video to your class.

Standing in front of the church, praying out loud, telling your friends about Jesus, and standing up for what you believe are all things that can make us scared at times. But, just as God was with Moses, he will be with you too.

You can read more about Moses in the book of Exodus.


 

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The Power of Prayer - Sunday School Lesson

This Sunday school lesson will help you teach kids about the power of prayer. From an early age, kids are taught to say their prayers before bed or maybe even thank God for their food.

Of course, when there is dire need, we all bow our head and turn to God for help and healing, but there is so much more to prayer time than just these times of your life.

The bible verse for this lesson is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV. Use this verse for your lesson and as a memory verse to learn for the following week. It is simple and easy to learn. It's also great for teachers, so show your kids you are learning it right along with them.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

 Pray without ceasing.

Prayer Time
This picture was taken in 1936 during the Great Depression.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

 

The Power of Prayer - Sunday School Lesson

Begin your lesson by asking, "How many of you want to do what God wants?"

Wait for hands to be raised. Hopefully, all of your class will want to do what God wants them to do. If you have young children (pre-school or younger), you may have to ask questions to get them to understand what you're asking.

Train up a child...
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Some questions you may ask could be:

"Do you want to make God happy?"
"Do you want to make God smile?"
"Do you want Jesus to be proud of you?"

Once the kids are ready, have them stand up and turn around facing their seat (or on the floor). Have them bow down on their knees and put their head on their hands or even in their hands. Some kids like to pull their shirts up around their head so that no one can see them.

Ask them to quietly bow their head and think only of God and Jesus. For very small children, have them bow for about 30 seconds, for elementary kids - about 60 seconds, for middle school kids - about 90 seconds, and for teens - about 2 to 3 minutes. If your teens are mature, you may want to have them bow for 5 minutes or longer.

Tell them that if anything else comes into their mind besides God and Jesus, they are to push it out. Then, concentrate again.

Believe it or not, just a few quite minutes thinking of God will make a world of difference in the mood of your class.

Some kids will have a hard time the first couple of times you do this, so before beginning the quiet time with God, be sure to tell them; if playing video games comes into your mind - push it out, if food or soccer comes into your mind - push it out, if your knees begin to hurt - push it out.

Think only of God or Jesus.

The Power of Prayer

Let the kids sit back onto their chair. Before class, have a pencil and small piece of paper ready for each child or teen. While you are handing out the paper and pencils, have the kids think about one thing (or two or three things for teens) they would like God to help them with.

Be sure to have paper and pencils.

For instance, some kids may have trouble telling the truth. Others may have trouble with not minding their parents or back talking. Some kids may have a temper.

Whatever it is the kids think they need God's help with, tell them to write it down on the paper you gave them. For small kids, help them write it and let them hold it.

After all the kids are finished, have them fold the paper once and hold it in their hand.

Now, have them get back into the bowing position at their seats.

This time, instead of having quiet time with God, have them prayer only for the thing they wrote down on their paper.

Allow as much time as needed for the kids to finish. Teens tend to take much longer, be sure to let them finish without interruption.

Following Up on The Power of Prayer

Powerful prayers can lead to miracles! Don't let this prayer time stop at Sunday school. Before the kids leave, ask them to write down their texting numbers or e-mail addresses. Find some way to contact them.

Text your Sunday School Class
during the week.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

For children who don't have cell phones or e-mails, get their parents' numbers.

Let the kids know that you will be contacting them during the week. Tell them to look for a text or e-mail that will say:

Pray without ceasing!

This will serve to remind them to pray for the thing they wrote down on the paper and spend a minute or two quiet time with God.

The bible tells us:

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

This is your time to make a difference. Don't miss out.

The power of prayer and quiet with God is amazing. You and your Sunday school class will begin to see this as you practice this each week.

May God bless you.

Find more FREE Sunday School Lessons!


 

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Moses in the River - Sunday School Lessons

In this free bible story of Moses in the River, you'll find all you need to teach a full Sunday school lesson. This lesson is perfect for all ages up to about 10 years of age. Of course, you can add more details and facts to make it great for pre-teens and teens, as well.

Remember, even small children as young as one or two years old love hearing bible stories along with playing games. For this lesson, we've added a link to a fun game (bottom of the page).

As an added bonus: You can print off the bible story picture below to use as a visual.

 

Bible Verse for This Lesson

Proverbs 3:5 KJV

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

Moses in the River Sunday School Lesson

Our bible story today comes from the book of Exodus chapter 2.

In Egypt, there was a not-so-nice Pharaoh who was afraid of the people of Israel. He thought that the more Israelites there were, the easier it would be for them to take over his kingdom.

To make himself more safe, he made the Israelite people into slaves. But, that wasn't all.

He also decided that there were too many Israelites. So, he made a very bad cruel law. This law said that when a baby boy was born to an Israelite family, the baby was to be thrown into the river and drown.

How horrible!

During this time, there was a mommy who had a baby boy. She didn't want the Pharaoh to take him, so she decided to hide him secretly. She hid him in their house for three months.

When she could no longer hide him, she made him a basket out of reeds and sealed it with a special tar to help the basket float.

River Reeds
Photo courtesy of Philip Halling, Wikimedia

Then, she put the little baby boy inside the basket and took it to the river (Nile River).

There in the tall reeds on the riverbank she set the basket to float. The little baby's sister stayed nearby to watch over him and the basket. Her name was Miriam.

 We don't know how long the baby was safe in the basket in the river. But, we do know that his sister stayed watch over him.

One day, the Pharaoh's daughter came down to the river to take a bath. Can you imagine how Miriam must have felt. Here she was watching over her small baby brother when the mean Pharaoh's daughter came near?

Or maybe, she was hoping his daughter would find her brother? Perhaps she was a nice kind princess and the baby's mother, Jochebed, hoped she would love her baby enough to save it?

What Happened to the Baby?

So, what do you think happened to the little baby in the basket floating in the river?

When the princess saw the basket, she sent one of her servant's to get it. When she opened it and found the little baby, she knew right away it must be an Israelite baby. The bible tells us that the little baby was crying when she found it.

Instead of staying hid, Miriam stepped out to talk to the princess.

She asked, "Do you want me to find someone to take care of the baby for you?"

Secretly, Miriam was going to get her very own mother.

You can see Miriam hiding
in the reeds if you look closely.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

When the princess agreed, Miriam ran to find her mother, Jochebed. When Jochebed came to the princess, the princess said, "Take the baby with you and take care of him."

Think about how relieved his mother and sister must have been. Even though, when the baby grows older, he will go and live with the princess, they got to spend the next few years with him and made sure he was safe.

Once the little boy grew old enough, Jochebed took him to live with the princess where he grew up.

Does anyone know what the princess named this little baby?

 

Wait for answers.

She named him Moses because the name Moses means 'to draw out' and that's what she did - drew him out of the water.

 

Watch the Story of Moses

This is the Disney movie of the life of Moses which won an Academy Award!

 

If you have time, you can show this whole movie to your Sunday school class or even break it down into two weeks, if needed.

 

 



Play the Find Baby Moses Game

For some extra fun on Sunday morning, check out this FREE Sunday school game we call - Finding Baby Moses!

It's similar to hide-and-seek and easy or hard enough for all ages!

Find More FREE Bible Stories and Sunday School Lesson!!!!

 

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Finding Baby Moses - FREE Sunday School Game

The bible story of Moses is one that shows the courage, determination and love of one mother to save her son. While she chose to break the law and not turn him over to the Pharaoh's cruel law, she ultimately not only saved her own son, but the entire Israelite nation!

God was with Jochebed as she made the decision to hide him in a basket in the Nile River. Although she didn't know that her little baby boy would grow up to part the Red Sea and lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, she did know she loved him and took a chance to save his life.

If only we would take a chance and step out for God!

How would our life change if we only took that first step to trusting God whole heartedly!

Before explaining the game, take time to listen to the remarkable song by Brit Nicole to get you into the chance-taking mood.

You can also get the FREE bible story of Moses to teach your kids.
 

Finding Baby Moses Sunday School Game

The only thing you'll need to play this game is a paper picture of a basket and some tape.

You can either print out the picture of Moses' basket (above) or draw one yourself. It doesn't have to look pretty. Kids don't mind.

I drew a picture of a basket about 4 inches long and 3 inches tall. I colored a blue blanket on top and cut it out.

I simply told the kids what it was and they accepted the poor looking basket as what it was :)

To play the game:

Have the kids turn to one wall or put their head down on a table and close or hide their eyes. Use a piece of tape on the paper basket to hide the paper basket under chairs or tables, along walls, behind curtains, or anywhere else you can find.

Once hidden, let kids find baby Moses.

Whoever finds the basket gets to hide it next.

If hidden too hard, you can give clues or play 'hot' or 'cold' until they find it. You'll be surprised at how much they love this game - I was.

Have fun and enjoy teaching about Moses!


Picture of basket above is courtesy of Open Clip Art.
 

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