This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from purchased products at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Bible lessons for free! Here are 12 lessons that can be used for young and older children. In a mixed-age group, the older students can be paired with a younger student as a mentor. This gives older students responsibility and younger children guidance.

These Bible lessons for kids use the Old Testament and the New Testament. A person who is not a teacher but is willing to facilitate a children’s Bible study can share God’s word. The Bible based lessons include the life of Jesus with scripture, lesson suggestions, object lessons, with fun activities. It is designed for using common objects that everyone might have in their home.

If supplies are not available, these Bible lessons can be shared without all the supplies. These 12 Bible Lessons can be used for an array of settings, such as Sunday school, children’s church, Sunday or Wednesday night kids program, with varying ages. The lessons provide scripture, simple instruction, as well as opportunities for independent thought.

Curriculum can be expensive, especially for small churches. This is an opportunity for free Bible lessons with a few proposed supplies, but full of scripture with lessons that make an attempt to provide real-life connections.

There is a mixture of activities that meet different learning styles that enhance the opportunity for kids to learn.

Why Use These Free Bible Lessons?

Below are a few reasons for utilizing these free Bible study lessons for kids of all ages, and an opportunity to understand God’s word. It has scripture provided to be discussed. Please consider the ages of the students so you can bring it to a child’s level.

  • One clear “big truth” per Bible story
  • Based on God’s Word, not just moral teaching
  • Works for young children and is adaptable across ages
  • Can be taught in children’s church, Sunday school, or kids’ church
  • Uses common objects or no supplies
  • Great for small churches with little time or budget

The lessons have taken into account a multi-age group, along with being able to adapt lessons for young children and older kids together. This is not a teacher’s curriculum, but it is simple lessons that will enable a student to embrace the lesson about Jesus, even though there are no expensive lesson plans, simply God’s word as the base for the lessons that are presented.

What Bible Story or Passage is the Focus?

The Bible was written by men but was inspired by God. He’s the creator, the one who desires a relationship with us, but we sin. People are not perfect, meaning that they sin.

There is one person that God sent as a baby, grew up to be a man, died on a cross, rose on the third day, stayed for 40 days on earth talking to people, and now is at the right hand of God. He is the one who came to save us from our sin. When he left the earth, he told his disciples that he would leave a “helper.”

12 Free Bible Lessons for Kids — The Bible and the Fruit of the Spirit

1. Where do we find God’s Word (Old Testament)?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Discuss the Old Testament, how the Bible is separated into books, with each book having true stories. The true stories start in Genesis with God’s creation of the world. Men wrote God’s word in the Bible, also called scripture. The scripture was written by man inspired by God. That means God guided each man to write his word for each book. When it was put together, it was called in Greek “ta Biblia,” meaning “the books.” Sometimes on the front of the Bible it will say, “Holy Bible” because God is holy, holy is his word.

In the very beginning, God’s word was passed down by word of mouth (pick an easy verse, then tell the first student the verse and have them pass it to another student until the last student tells you what the verse was). Then the scribes were responsible for writing down the word on papyrus and called scrolls. Collectively, these books are known as the Pentateuch (a Greek term meaning “five books”) or the Torah (a Hebrew term meaning “law” or “instruction”).

Take a little time to explain what the five books are being talked about (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Add to the information. The goal is for the students to have an understanding because it could be their first introduction to what you have shared.

Activity: Watch a video song that helps you know the books of the New Testament. Introduce it on the first night, then play it every night until the Fruit of the Spirit lessons begin. It helps them learn the books of the Bible. Make scrolls and write on each paper one of the five books.

2. Where do we find God’s Word (New Testament)?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Discuss the New Testament, how it’s separated into books, with each book having true stories. The New Testament starts with the birth of baby Jesus, which is in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. God’s word in the Bible is also called scripture. The scripture was inspired by God. That means God guided each man to write God’s word for each book, and when it was put together, it was called the Bible. Review the information shared the previous week.

Activity: Watch a video song that helps you know the books of the Old Testament. Introduce it on the first night, then play it every night until the Fruit of the Spirit lessons begin. Play the song. What are the books that are called the gospel?

3. Jesus was Born (God in the Flesh) and Grew Up

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-3; Genesis 1:1-3 & 26-27; Luke 2:41-50, Matthew 3:16-17

Discuss Jesus’ birth, how He’s God’s son, and He came for a purpose. He grew up just like you and me, but was different; he was perfect, no sin. Tell the story about Him staying behind in Jerusalem when he was 12. His mother was so worried because she thought she had lost Him.

Remember, scripture was inspired by God. Share who wrote the true story. Reiterate that this story is true. Include some stories of when Jesus was doing his ministry. Tell a story about a time you got lost. Allow the students to share.

Activity: Draw a scene in their notebook that reflects the story of Jesus’ birth. Provide low-cost or no-cost items to make them more 3-D, i.e., hay, stars, sticks, etc. Use colored paper to add to the animals, people, etc. Another Idea is to use rocks and markers. Have students draw a picture of Jesus as a baby, then as a young boy at the synagogue (read Luke 2:40-50 when he was 12), then pick a few stories as an adult, having them draw a picture, i.e., when he told the disciples to let the children come to Him.

4. Jesus Gave His Life and Was Raised from the Dead

Scripture: Luke 18:1-37; Matthew 27:1-50; Mark 16:19

Discuss a summary of Jesus’ 33 years (he healed people, he helped the blind see, the deaf hear again, fed thousands, etc. Also, how he is God’s son and was perfect, with no sin, and came for a purpose. Tell the story about His disciples who denied him, and the Pharisees wanted him crucified. Describe it simply with the fact that they wanted him dead. They weren’t looking for a passive king; they wanted a king who would be like King David. Restate that this story is true.

Tell them how he willingly died on the cross for the sins that we commit. The miracle was that he rose from the dead on the 3rd day, walked the earth for 40 days, talking to different people, and he’s now at the right hand of God.

Activity: Make a cross out of sticks. Use ribbon, string, or yarn to tie the cross together. Find a small children’s book to tell the story, make up a poem, or write your own short story that will help them retell the story with their cross. You could also find a little booklet to purchase telling the story.

5. Jesus Left a Helper, The Holy Spirit

Scripture: John 14:16 & 26

Remind them of his death and resurrection and why He died on the cross. Explain how, before he was arrested as he celebrated Passover. We celebrate it as Easter. During the dinner, he explained that he would be leaving, but he would leave behind a helper. The helper would be the Holy Spirit. Ensure the students understand that these stories are true. Read the verses and explain what they mean.

Activity: Have activities where the students have to help each other. Then give students questions that have a moral dilemma, and have another student help them make the right decision. This webpage is Focus on the Family with questions for young to older students. The Holy Spirit helps us make the right decision.

6. Disciples Received the Helper, The Holy Spirit

Scripture: Luke 18:31-33; John 15:25-27

The Disciples received the Helper, the Holy Spirit. When we believe in having faith that Jesus was perfect, died on the cross to wipe away our sin, that He rose on the third day, walked the earth for 40 days, and is in heaven with God and will come back someday, then we will receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us to help make the right decisions, helps us to say, do, and think the right things.

Provide an opportunity for someone to give a testimony as to their experience if they have already believed in Jesus.

Activity: Genesis 1:2, Matthew 3:16, and Romans 8:26. Bring these verses to a child’s level. Students can write the words “Helper” and “Holy Spirit” in a fancy way, then decorate them with crayons or colored pencils. Older students can read the scripture, help students answer the questions, and appoint them to be a buddy to a younger student to help them during journaling. Discuss a picture or a word that would help them remember they have a helper.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit – The Holy Spirit is received once we believe in Jesus as the one who saves us from our sin, which allows us to have a right relationship with God. There are nine fruits, but there is only one Fruit of the Spirit. Have students return each week and share how they expressed the Fruit of the Spirit and which one they shared. There’s a song that you can incorporate at the beginning of each session.

Activity for All Fruit of the Spirit Lessons: Each week that you teach on the Fruit of the Spirit, bring the fruit in the video song for them to eat, if not too expensive. If that is too expensive, seeds are fairly inexpensive. Purchase the different fruit seeds for each week that match up with the song, then plant them in cups for the students to take home or place outside in a garden where they can see them growing, and they can water them.

Connect life lessons with the information you obtain about a particular fruit, how to take care of it, what type of soil is right, water it, keep the weeds away, care for it, and watch it grow.

7. Fruit of the Spirit: Love and Joy

Scripture: John 13:34, Matthew 5:44, John 13:1; and Joy – Psalm 95:1-3; John 15:11-12

Discuss that love has to do with loving our God and loving others. Tell them this is the new commandment that Jesus left for us during the Passover meal when he was talking to the disciples. Also, he said to love our enemies. Ask what an enemy is. Discuss specifics on loving our neighbors and enemies.

Discuss how joy is contrary to being happy. Happy is based on a feeling that can be with you one minute and gone the next. Like an ice cream cone, while you’re eating it, then it’s gone, a balloon until it bursts. Joy is finding it in the midst of our circumstances. There is always a need to explain to the children that joy is not just the feeling of being happy; it’s a Fruit of the Spirit you display when in a difficult situation, a problem, disappointment, or even sadness.

8. Fruit of the Spirit – Peace

Scripture: John 16:33, Isaiah 9:6, Romans 12:18

Discuss the definition of peace, then read and discuss the scriptures listed above. Talk to the students about how to keep peace, but it should be an honest decision to make peace, not pretend. Give some examples from your own life and ask them if there was a time that they helped make peace in a situation.

9. Fruit of the Spirit – Patience

Scripture: Romans 12:12; Colossians 1:11

Read Proverbs, then explain that in the Old Testament, there were many times they were in a battle. Ask the students what they might want to have or to accomplish. His word says that patience is better than something you really want. Read Colossians, then explain that patience may take a long time, meaning you may have to wait. Give some examples from your own life. Also, let them share.

10. Fruit of the Spirit – Kindness, Goodness, and Gentleness

Scripture: Psalm 107:15, Ephesians 2:6-8; 2 Samuel 22:35-37

What do you think it means to have kindness, goodness, and gentleness? Goodness is what you have inside that would make you do kind things. Gentleness is how you do those kind things. Pick some examples of kind things that were done in the Bible. Ask the students what they have done that was kind.

11. Fruit of the Spirit – Faithfulness

Scripture: Psalm 36:5, Hebrew 11:1 & 2-40

The definition of Faith, according to the Bible, can be found in Hebrews 11:1. Look up faith in the dictionary as well. There are so many examples of faith in Hebrews 11:2-40. Share a life example that shows faith. Ask if there is an area of their life they are using faith right now as they go through some ordeal.

12. Fruit of the Spirit – Self-control

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Corinthians 9:25

It’s important to restate that the Fruit of the Spirit is one, and all of these are fruits we have when we believe in Jesus. Ask questions like, is there something that keeps you from having control over? God said he has not given us a spirit of fear, so why do we fear? Is there something that you are fearful of?

In Peter, it talks about faith and to “supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness.” We do all of that to escape the corruption (bad stuff) in the world and the worldly things we desire.

What’s The Main Truth Kids Should Remember?

  1. God inspired men to write God’s Word. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof (for pointing out a person’s faults), for correcting, for training in righteousness (in a right relationship with God).
  2. God inspired men to write God’s Word. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof (for pointing out a person’s faults), for correcting, for training in righteousness (in a right relationship with God).
  3. Jesus was born a baby and was God’s son. Jesus grew up into a man without any sin. He did no wrong.
  4. Jesus willingly gave his life to cover our sin. He died on the cross, but three days later rose from the dead and is in heaven with God.
  5. Jesus left a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would help us make the right decisions.
  6. Disciples Received the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Just like the disciples, we can receive the Holy Spirit when we believe in Jesus, and he will be our helper.
  7. A Fruit of the Spirit that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus is Love and Joy.
  8. A Fruit of the Spirit that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus is Peace.
  9. A Fruit of the Spirit that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus is Patience.
  10. A Fruit of the Spirit that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus is Goodness, Kindness, and Gentleness.
  11. A Fruit of the Spirit that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus is Faithfulness.
  12. A Fruit of the Spirit that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus is Self-control.

Low-Prep Activities That Reinforce Learning

Notebooks provide a way to write down scripture/memory verses, draw, or put your thoughts down. It’s a way to teach students to journal and can be used throughout this series. Afterwards, it is a keepsake. (During the beginning of a school year, they are cheap).

Lessons 1-12 – For each lesson, have them write or draw in their journal. Write the date, a title for the lesson, and the scripture you are using. At the end of class, ask them one thing they can remember from the lesson. Have them draw it or write a sentence or even a word that might remind them of the lesson.

Also consider having the children sing these two songs for a parent/family program.

Looking for a Sunday school curriculum built for small churches?

We recommend Two or More™—a low-prep, Bible-rich curriculum created specifically for small churches. It works with mixed-age groups, flexes to fit whoever shows up, and makes it simple for volunteers to lead. Learn why we love it here.

Logo of "Two or More: Small Church Curriculum for Kids™" alongside a joyful group of children and a smiling teacher waving during an arts and crafts activity in a colorful classroom.

Already using it? Check out our Two or More™ video guide for practical tips to get the most out of every lesson.

Read More:

How to Build a Collaborative Nativity Scene for Your Kids’ Ministry

Why Connection Beats Perfect Lesson Plans In Sunday School

How To Keep Older Kids Engaged In A Mixed-Age Class

A woman in a button down jacked and glasses, smiling.

Elicia Kuhl is a faithful servant who has worn many hats over the last 35 years to include children’s and women’s ministries.  For the last eight years, she has served as the Women’s Missions and Ministries Director for her church.

She also produces a weekly online Bible Study, Seeking Truth, and volunteers with a state-wide women’s leadership group.