Growing in God’s Word: A New Children’s Curriculum from Ligonier Ministries

Growing in God’s Word is a new curriculum from Ligonier Ministries to help churches, families, and schools guide children through an overview of the Bible in a year. Grounded in Reformed theology, each lesson plan emphasizes the five solas and the covenantal framework that unites all of Scripture.

This teacher’s resource is designed with three guiding objectives in mind. it is simple, holistic, and accessible.

1. Simple

• The curriculum is minimalistic and includes only the necessary elements for each lesson plan. Its content and design provide a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
• The curriculum is static and does not require the purchase of new curriculum every year. As a result, it offers a quality product at an affordable price point.

2. Holistic

• The curriculum covers an overview of the Bible every year. The 52 lesson plans for each age group cover the same story in Scripture, but with age-appropriate detail.
• The curriculum is Reformed, reflecting the biblical truths summarized in the five solas, approaching Scripture from a covenantal framework, and providing catechism Q&As.

3. Accessible

• The curriculum is divided into 52 lesson plans that can be adapted for use by churches, families, schools, or other individuals or groups.
• The curriculum includes supplemental material for each lesson plan, enabling churches, families, and schools to adapt the curriculum to best fit their needs.

Grade Levels Available:

The curriculum contains three distinct grade levels: Level 1 (K–1st grade), Level 2 (2nd–3rd grade), and Level 3 (4th–5th grade). Children receive the same lessons from their teachers for two years in a row before moving up to the next level of curriculum, which goes more in-depth with biblical and theological concepts.

Editions Available:

Growing in God’s Word is available in two editions. The Presbyterian & Reformed Edition serves Reformed churches that adhere to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms of Unity and hold a paedobaptist position on baptism. Both the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism are included for optional use.

The Baptist Edition serves churches that hold a Reformed view of soteriology and covenant theology and adhere to a credobaptist position on baptism. The Baptist Catechism of 1693 is included for optional use.

How to Use the Curriculum

The PREPARE section of each lesson plan consists of information to be reviewed by the teacher before teaching the lesson. It includes:

Main Idea, Goal, and Scripture Passages

Each lesson begins by stating the main idea being conveyed in that lesson. The goal of the lesson is provided, and the passage of Scripture covered is listed.

Teacher’s Guide

The teacher’s guide gives additional information about the Scripture passages and biblical/theological themes covered in the lesson. It provides helpful background information and context for the teacher without being too time-consuming.

Reminders

The reminders section includes points to remember when teaching the lesson. These reminders are the same for each lesson, enabling different teachers or substitutes to receive the same reminders even if they are only stepping in to teach occasionally.

Required Materials

Each lesson includes a list of materials needed for that lesson. Materials related to the supplemental closing activity are marked so that those who are not using the closing activity do not purchase unnecessary items. Occasionally, items created for or used in a previous lesson are reused in a future lesson. A complete list of activity materials is also available online.

The TEACH sections consist of the script that teachers will use to guide children through the lesson. It includes:

• Opening Prayer

  • An opening prayer introduces the lesson. Teachers may use this scripted prayer or use their own.

• Key Verse

  • Each lesson plan includes a key verse that encapsulates the biblical teaching for that lesson. The key verse may also be used as a memory verse for students. The verse is followed by a brief activity to help students repeat and remember the key verse. While the same basic verses are used for all grades, younger grades have shorter verses, while older grades have longer verses.

• Opening Activity

  • The opening activity gives students an opportunity to move around with an engaging activity that correlates to the biblical text and theme being taught in the lesson. Items needed for the opening activity are included in the Required Materials section of the lesson plan. A complete list of activity materials is also available online.

• Bible Teaching

  • The main part of the lesson plan is the biblical teaching on the Scripture passage and theme. The script allows teachers of all experience levels to communicate the same ideas to students without the need for formal theological training or teaching experience. Users may adapt the scripts as best suits their needs and context.

• Closing Prayer

  • A closing prayer concludes the lesson. Teachers may use this scripted prayer or use their own.

The SUPPLEMENT sections can be added to the lesson plan or switched out with components from the lesson plan, providing a high degree of flexibility to adapt the curriculum as needed. It includes:

• Questions and Answers

  • This section provides a list of questions and answers about the Bible teaching that teachers can ask students to reinforce the main points of the lesson.

• Closing Activity

  • The closing activity gives students an additional opportunity to get physically involved in the lesson and to move around after the teaching concludes. Items needed for the closing activity are noted in the Required Materials section of the lesson plan. A complete list of activity materials is also available online.

• Old Testament Connections & New Testament Connections

  • Each lesson that covers an Old Testament passage includes a New Testament Connections section, and each lesson that covers a New Testament passage includes an Old Testament Connections section. These are brief teaching moments for instructors to help students make connections between different books of the Bible and scriptural themes, allowing them to see the continuity of God’s one big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation.

Optional Catechism

Each lesson plan includes a callout box with catechism Q&As. The Presbyterian & Reformed Edition includes the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism. The Baptist Edition includes the Baptist Catechism of 1693. Teachers may incorporate the catechism in the lessons at their discretion. Alternatively, teachers may opt to cover only one Q&A each lesson rather than covering multiple Q&As.

The full text of the catechisms is included in the appendices. Teachers can use these classic versions or select a version of the catechism with simplified language geared toward younger children. The scope and sequence appendix (also available online) includes a list of all the catechism Q&As covered throughout the year. Each grade level covers the same Q&As in each lesson plan.

Coloring Sheets

Coloring sheets for each lesson are available on the curriculum website to download and print. These coloring sheets are not part of the lesson but may be used supplementally. The coloring sheets do not contain any depictions of Christ out of respect for those who avoid such images in their efforts to honor the second commandment.

Holiday-Specific Lessons

Due to the variability of holiday timing, the curriculum does not include specific lesson plans for Christmas or Easter. However, Lesson 27 covers the incarnation of Jesus and may be used as a Christmas lesson. Also, Lesson 39 teaches on the resurrection of Christ and can be used as an Easter lesson. Please note that if you use these lessons as holiday lessons, you will need to reorder the other lessons.

Appendices

Lesson Summaries

Included in the curriculum is a lesson summaries appendix (also available online) that includes the main idea, Scripture passage, and key verse for each lesson plan. Churches or schools may use this information to communicate to families what students will be learning in each lesson.

Scope and Sequence

The scope and sequence appendix (also available online) includes the main theme, biblical passage covered, key verse, and catechism Q&As for each lesson plan.

Catechisms

The full text of the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism are in the Presbyterian & Reformed Edition. The full text of the Baptist Catechism of 1693 is in the Baptist Edition.

Conclusion

Growing in God’s Word provides a structured yet flexible curriculum designed to help teachers guide children through an overview of the Bible that is deeply rooted in Reformed theology. With its simple, holistic, and accessible approach, it equips churches, families, and schools with the tools necessary to teach biblical truths in a meaningful way.

With two editions, the curriculum ensures theological alignment while allowing for adaptability in different contexts. Through its carefully crafted lesson plans, supplemental materials, and catechetical components, Growing in God’s Word serves as a valuable teacher’s resource for nurturing children in the faith and deepening their understanding of Scripture.