A Wise Discipleship Plan For All Ages Birth – Graduation

Levels of Biblical Learning®

As kids grow, their understanding of foundational truths grows with them. Levels of Biblical Learning covers 10 biblical concept areas—God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible, Salvation, Creation, Church, People, Family, Community & World—that children and students can learn as they study God’s Word. The concept areas are presented through eight different age ranges, from infancy through high school, and reflect levels of understanding that follow how God designed children to learn.

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Select your age group to find out how they learn best:

Younger Preschoolers

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Young Preschoolers are:

  • Developing a sense of trust as needs are met consistently
  • Sensing attitudes and expression of love
  • Growing in trust of adults
  • Beginning to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors
  • Beginning to recognize simple pictures of Jesus
  • Singing simple songs about God and Jesus
  • Saying thank you to God
  • Listening to Bible stories

Biblical Concepts

God

God is good.

God made you.

God loves me.

God hears me.

God helps me.

God loves people.

Jesus

Jesus was born.

God chose a family for Jesus.

Jesus grew like me.

Jesus learned about God.

Jesus told people about God.

Jesus helped people because He loved them.

Jesus loves me.

Jesus did everything God told Him to do.

Jesus is alive.

Holy Spirit

Concept statements from the God concept area lay a foundation for later learning about the work of the Holy Spirit. Examples of those statements are:

God helps me. (Philippians 4:19)

God loves me. (John 3:16)

Bible

The Bible is a special book.

The Bible tells about God.

People in the Bible told about God.

The Bible tells about Jesus.

The Bible helps me know what to do.

Salvation

God loves us.

God cares about us.

Creation

God made day, night, plants, sky, sun, moon, stars, animals, water, birds, fish, and people.

God made people.

God made food for people and animals.

God planned for people to care for the things He made.

God said His creation is good.

God wants me to thank Him for the things He made.

Church

People learn about God and Jesus at church.

People at church love me.

People at church help me.

People at church sing, talk to God, and listen to Bible stories.

People

God made me.

God made me special.

God created me to make choices.

God helps me learn.

God loves for me to talk to Him.

God helps me grow like Jesus grew.

God wants me to be a friend.

God loves me.

God has plans for me.

God helps me.

God helps me learn about Jesus.

Family

God made families.

Families love one another.

God gave me a mommy and daddy to help me.

My family tells me about God.

God loves families.

Community and World

God made people.

God helps people.

People tell about God and Jesus.

People can talk with God.

God cares about other people and me.

Middle Preschoolers

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Middle Preschoolers are:

  • Identifying some Bible people and stories
  • Understanding that God, Jesus, and the church are special
  • Beginning to develop a conscience and are sensitive to feelings of shame and guilt
  • Retelling Bible stories
  • Recognizing that God and Jesus love people and help people in special ways
  • Expressing love for God and Jesus

Biblical Concepts

God

God is good to me.

God made everything.

God loves people and is with them.

God hears me when I pray.

God helps people.

God shows His love to me.

God loves me even when I make wrong choices.

God tells me to sing and pray to Him.

God tells me to do what He says.

God can do anything.

God does what He says He will do.

God knows everything about me.

God is real.

Jesus

God sent Jesus to earth.

Angels told Mary and Joseph that Jesus would be born.

Jesus grew like me and had a family.

Jesus learned about God by reading the Scriptures.

Jesus taught people what God is like.

Jesus healed sick people.

Jesus loves people.

Jesus is God's Son.

Jesus always obeyed God.

Jesus is with God.

Holy Spirit

God sent Jesus to earth.

Angels told Mary and Joseph that Jesus would be born.

Jesus grew like me and had a family.

Jesus learned about God by reading the Scriptures.

Jesus taught people what God is like.

Jesus healed sick people.

Jesus loves people.

Jesus is God's Son.

Jesus always obeyed God.

Jesus is with God.

Bible

The stories in the Bible are true and really happened.

The Bible teaches us what God is like.

People wrote God's words in the Bible.

The Bible teaches what Jesus did.

The Bible teaches me right from wrong.

Salvation

God sent Jesus because He loves us.

God sent Jesus because He cares about us.

People make wrong choices.

Creation

God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.

God made people different from the other things He made.

God cares for His creation.

God has people to care for His creation.

God wants me to like His creation, too.

God wants me to thank Him for the things He made.

God made people able to love.

Church

People use the Bible to learn about God and Jesus at church.

People at church love each other and teach about God and Jesus.

People at church help others.

People at church worship by singing, talking to God, and listening to Bible stories.

People give money at church.

Jesus had a special meal with His friends.

The Bible has stories about baptism.

People

God helps me grow.

God made me, so I am special.

God allows me to make right and wrong choices.

God made me able to think, work, and play.

God loves for me to pray.

God helps me grow like Jesus grew.

God helps me to be kind to my friends.

God will always love me.

God has a plan for each person.

God helps me do what He says.

God wants people to take care of their bodies.

Jesus taught that I can tell others I'm sorry when I hurt them.

God wants people to learn from Jesus.

Family

God's plan for families is in the Bible.

God wants family members to love and help one another.

God's plan is for children to do what their parents tell them to do.

Families talk to God and read the Bible.

God loves families even when bad things happen.

Community and World

God made people alike and different.

God helps all people.

People tell others about God and Jesus.

People can pray for others.

People are important to God.

Missionaries are people who tell other people about God and Jesus.

Older Preschoolers

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Older Preschoolers are:

  • Remembering Bible stories
  • Retelling Bible stories
  • Recognizing how God and Jesus love people
  • Seeing how God helps people in special ways
  • Using the Bible to ask questions about God
  • Making life application of Bible verses
  • Seeing Jesus as a friend and a helper
  • Starting to make conclusions about God

Biblical Concepts

God

God is good to everyone.

God created everything.

God is always with people.

God hears people pray.

God helps and provides for people.

God shows His love to people.

God loves people even when they make wrong choices.

God tells people to worship Him.

God tells people to obey Him.

God can do all things.

God always keeps His promises.

God knows everything.

God is real and true.

Jesus

God sent Jesus to earth as a real person.

People in the Old Testament told that Jesus would be born.

Jesus grew, learned, and had friends.

Jesus prayed to God.

Jesus taught people what God is like by what He said and did.

Jesus performed miracles.

People can obey Jesus because they love Him.

Jesus died on the cross and then came back to life.

Jesus is God's one and only Son.

Jesus was tempted to sin.

Jesus is in heaven with God.

Holy Spirit

Concept statements from the concept areas of Jesus and God lay a foundation for later learning about the work of the Holy Spirit. Examples of those statements are:

God helps and provides for people. (John 15:13)

God shows His love to people. (John 15:13)

God is always with people. (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Bible

Everything in the Bible is true.

The Bible teaches us what God and Jesus are like.

People wrote God's words in the Bible.

The Bible teaches that Jesus died on a cross but came back to life.

The Bible teaches about right and wrong choices.

Salvation

God sent Jesus to help people because He loves them.

God sent His only Son, Jesus, because He cares about us.

People sometimes choose to disobey God.

Creation

God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.

God created people able to make choices.

God provides for His creation.

God planned for people to care for the things He made.

God wants me to enjoy the things He created.

God wants people to thank and praise Him for His creation.

God made people able to love Him.

Church

The church is people who gather to learn about God and Jesus from the Bible.

Church helpers teach about God and Jesus.

The church provides ways for people to help others.

People at church worship by praying, giving, singing, reading the Bible, and learning more about God and Jesus.

People give money at church to help others learn about God and Jesus.

The Lord's Supper is a special meal to remember Jesus.

A person is baptized after he or she becomes a Christian.

People

People grow as God planned for them to grow.

People are special because God made them.

God allows people to make right and wrong choices.

God made people able to do many things well.

God wants people to pray.

People can try to be like Jesus.

Jesus taught how God wants us to treat other people.

No matter what happens, God loves people.

God has a plan for every person.

People can show love for God by obeying Him.

God wants people to take care of their bodies.

God helps me obey Him.

Because Jesus forgives, I can tell others I am sorry for hurting them.

God wants people to follow Jesus' example.

Family

God's plan for families is for mothers and fathers to raise children. Children are born or adopted into families.

God wants families to show love, respect, and kindness to one another.

God's plan is for children to obey their parents.

Families worship God together.

When two people marry, they become a family. Adam and Eve were the first family.

God loves families even when they hurt each other, and He wants families to forgive each other.

Community and World

God made people alike and different, and all are special to Him.

God helps people do His work.

People who love God tell others all over the world about Him.

People can pray for others in their communities and world.

The Bible tells me to love others in my community and world.

Missionaries tell people about God and Jesus in my country and in other countries.

Younger Kids

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Younger Kids are:

  • Seeing Jesus as a friend and helper
  • Enjoying learning from the Bible
  • Beginning to have a simple understanding of sin
  • Seeing consequences to sin
  • Beginning to have a simple understanding of the gospel
  • Knowing the right answers but may not understand application
  • Interested in finding out more about God and Jesus and His plan of salvation
  • Using the Bible to ask questions about God
  • Making life application of Bible verses
  • Starting to make conclusions about God

Biblical Concepts

God

God is perfect.

God is Creator and worthy to be praised.

God is everywhere.

God hears and answers prayer.

God helps and provides for His people.

God shows love to His people.

God loves people enough to provide forgiveness for their wrong choices.

God tells people to worship Him and tell others about Him.

God expects people to obey, respect, and honor Him.

God is powerful and in control of all things.

God is fair and can be trusted.

God knows all things.

God is real, the only true God.

God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus

Jesus was God in human form.

Prophets in the Old Testament told that Jesus would be born. Jesus is the Messiah who fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

Jesus understands what it is like to be human.

Jesus worshiped God.

Jesus taught through His life what God is like.

Jesus raised people from the dead.

People who love Jesus want to obey Him.

Jesus died on the cross, and God raised Him from the dead.

Jesus was sent to be my Savior.

Jesus was tempted but did not sin.

Jesus ascended to heaven but promised He would return one day.

Jesus was with God at creation.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a special helper.

The Holy Spirit helps people understand God's plan for salvation.

The Holy Spirit helps people in times of trouble.

The Holy Spirit has always worked in the world.

The Holy Spirit helps Christians tell others about Jesus.

The Holy Spirit led people to write the Bible.

God sent the Holy Spirit to help us know when we sin.

Bible

Bible truths never change.

The Bible helps people know more about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

God helped people know what to write in the Bible.

The Bible teaches that Jesus died on a cross, was buried, and was raised from the dead.

The Bible teaches how God wants people to live.

Salvation

God provided a way for people to become Christians because He loves them.

God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the only Savior of the world.

Sin is choosing my way and disobeying God.

Jesus took the punishment for people's sins.

People who trust Jesus as their Savior and Lord are Christians.

God will forgive people when they ask Him.

Creation

God created the world from nothing.

God created everyone to be like Him and to have a relationship with Him.

God planned and provided for His creation.

God planned for people to care for His world.

God is still at work in His creation.

God is to be praised for His creation.

God made people able to love Him and others.

Church

The church is more than a building; it is Christians who gather to worship and serve God.

Church leaders are chosen to teach about God and Jesus.

The church meets the needs of people.

God wants people to gather to worship Him.

The money people give at church is called tithes and offerings.

The Lord's Supper is a special event at church. People can remember Jesus when they see the Lord's Supper being observed.

Baptism shows that people have trusted in Jesus as Savior.

People

Birth and growth are part of God's plan.

People are God's most important creation.

God helps people make good choices.

God wants people to use their talents and abilities in ways that please and honor Him.

God wants people to pray and read the Bible daily.

People can follow Jesus' example by obeying God.

God helps me love others, both friends and enemies.

Good and bad happen to people, but God still loves them.

God has a plan for every person's life.

God wants people to live every day in ways that please and honor Him.

People need to take care of their bodies because God created them.

God helps me obey what is written in the Bible.

God helps me know when I have hurt others. I can ask them to forgive me.

God wants our actions, attitudes, thoughts, and words to be good.

God wants all people to follow Jesus' example.

Family

God's plan for mothers and fathers is to be examples of God's love.

God's plan for families is for them to love, respect, and help one another.

God tells children to respect and obey their parents.

God wants families to worship at home and other places.

In a marriage, a man and a woman make promises to God and each other.

God loves families and wants families to love and forgive each other when difficult things happen.

Community and World

God values all people.

God works through people to do His work in their communities and world.

Christians are called to tell the people all over the world about Jesus.

People can pray for people all over the world.

The Bible tells me to love others in my community and world.

Missionaries are called by God to tell another group of people the Good News about Jesus.

Middle Kids

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Middle Kids are:

  • Asking serious questions about religion
  • Developing values
  • Learning about being truthful and honest
  • Having difficulty making decisions
  • Beginning to feel the need for a Savior
  • Growing conscious of themselves and of sin
  • Wanting to do things the right way
  • Thinking in terms of right and wrong more than good and evil

Biblical Concepts

God

God is holy.

God is Creator and worthy to be praised.

God is everywhere at all times.

God knows what people need and desire but still expects them to pray.

God has concern and care for all people.

God loves and values people around the world.

God proved His unconditional love for people by sending Jesus.

God is worthy of worship.

God deserves respect, obedience, and honor.

God is all-powerful and in control of all things.

God is faithful and just.

God is all-knowing.

God has always been and always will be.

God is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (the Trinity).

Jesus

Jesus was born of a virgin.

God planned for Jesus to be the Savior from the beginning of time.

Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Jesus taught that worship is focused on God.

Jesus taught about faith, trust, and obedience to God.

Jesus performed miracles through the power of God.

People can obey Jesus as a response to His love.

Jesus died to pay the penalty for sin.

Jesus is the Messiah and Savior.

Jesus was human and resisted temptation.

Jesus ascended to heaven but promised He would return one day.

Jesus is eternal.

Holy Spirit

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit urges people to receive God's salvation.

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter.

The Holy Spirit has worked and always will work in the world.

The Holy Spirit helps Christians tell others about Jesus and God's plan.

The Holy Spirit guided people to write God's words.

The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin.

Bible

The truths in the Bible will last forever.

The Bible is God's message about Himself.

God inspired people to know what to write in the Bible.

The Bible teaches that Jesus died on a cross, was buried, and was raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sins.

The Bible teaches how to live a Christian life.

Salvation

God provided a plan for salvation because He loves me.

Salvation is the beginning of a growing relationship with Jesus that lasts forever. Through salvation, my sin is forgiven and the gift of eternal life with God begins.

The punishment for sin is separation from God.

Jesus died to pay the penalty for all my sins—past, present, and future.

God's salvation is a gift that every person needs and can receive.

When the Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin, I can turn away from my sin (repent) and trust Jesus as my personal Savior.

Creation

God spoke the world into existence from nothing.

God created people in His image.

God's creation follows His plan.

God wants people to take responsibility for taking care of His creation.

God is still at work in His creation and cares what happens in it.

God wants people to praise Him for His creation.

God made people in His image to have a personal relationship with Him.

Church

A church is a group of Christians who meet together to worship and serve God.

Churches set apart people to do certain tasks.

God uses the church to meet the needs of people in the community and around the world.

God wants people to gather to worship Him.

In addition to money, offerings can include time, talents, and possessions.

The Lord's Supper is a way to remind people about what Jesus did. Christians participate in the Lord's Supper.

Baptism by immersion shows that people have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord.

People

God created me in His image.

Each person is unique and of value to God.

People are responsible for their choices.

People can develop and use their abilities and talents in ways that please and honor God.

God wants people to communicate with Him through praying and reading the Bible daily.

People can follow the examples, teachings, and commands of Jesus.

People can learn to love others as God loves them.

People can learn to respond in positive ways to what happens to them.

God wants every person to trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

People can learn about and recognize God's authority.

People need to take care of their bodies and minds to honor God.

God asks me to honor Him by choosing to do what is right and reject what is wrong.

The Holy Spirit helps me know when I have hurt others. I can ask them to forgive me.

God wants people to have pure thoughts and actions.

God wants believers to be disciples who grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus.

Family

God's plan for mothers and fathers is to teach their children about God. Parents are examples of how God is our heavenly Father.

God's plan is for all family members to work together so that God is honored by their family.

God expects children to honor Him in the way they honor their parents.

God wants families to worship together to help them grow stronger in their faith.

In a wedding ceremony, a man and a woman make promises to God, to each other, and to all those present to be committed to each other through good and bad times.

God loves families even when family members sin. God is always ready to forgive.

Community and World

Even before they are born, people are special to God.

God works through people to do work in their communities and world.

All Christians are called to be on mission with God.

People can pray for specific needs of others.

God tells me to connect with others and show them His love.

Missionaries are Christians called by God to tell another group of people the Good News about Jesus.

Preteens

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Preteens are:

  • Developing concepts of love and trust
  • Hearing their conscience
  • Developing a value system
  • Forming concepts of personal worth
  • Seeking spiritual answers
  • Making many choices but may not follow through on long-term commitments
  • Feeling deeply about their own experiences
  • Beginning to adopt a religious belief system of their own

Biblical Concepts

God

God is holy, and perfect.

God, the Creator, is to be worshiped, not His creations.

God is omnipresent—He is everywhere at all times.

God hears people's prayers and communicates with them.

God has concern and care for all people, no matter their status, race, or ethnicity.

God loves and values people around the world, no matter their status, race, or ethnicity.

God proved His unconditional love for people through the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.

God expects people to worship Him with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

God deserves respect, obedience, and honor. God wants us to live for His glory.

God is omnipotent—He is all powerful, sovereign, and good.

God is righteous.

God is omniscient—He is all-knowing.

God is eternal.

God reveals Himself to us as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (the Trinity).

Jesus

Jesus was born of a virgin.

God planned for Jesus to be the Savior from the beginning of time and sent Jesus to earth at the perfect time.

Jesus is fully God and fully man who came to earth in human form.

Jesus taught that worship is for God's glory.

Jesus taught that He is the only way to God.

Jesus performed miracles because He is God's Son.

Jesus transformed people through His love.

Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection were a necessary part of God's plan for the forgiveness of sin.

God sent Jesus to fulfill His promise of redemption.

Jesus is holy and perfect.

Jesus sits at God's right hand and intercedes for us as our advocate, mediator, and high priest. When Jesus returns, all things will be made new.

Jesus has always existed and will always be with God.

Holy Spirit

The Trinity is eternal, holy, and perfect.

The Holy Spirit is given to a person when he trusts Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit as a Comforter.

The Holy Spirit is eternal and active. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to tell others about Jesus and God's plan for salvation.

The Holy Spirit inspired and guided people to write the Bible.

The Holy Spirit pursues and convicts people of sin.

Bible

The truths in the Bible are without error and will last forever.

The Bible is God's message about Himself and His salvation plan through Jesus.

The Bible is the only inspired, written Word of God.

The Bible teaches that salvation through Jesus is God's gift of forgiveness.

The Bible teaches how to live a Christian life by following Jesus.

Salvation

God had a plan for salvation before the beginning of time.

Jesus willingly died to provide salvation. Jesus' death and resurrection make salvation possible.

The punishment for sin is eternal death and hell.

People cannot save themselves. Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sins, redeeming and rescuing me from sin and death.

God's salvation is eternal. Nothing can separate Christians from God's love.

A growing relationship with Jesus is important and necessary. A Christian experiences joy when he recognizes God is at work in his life and in the lives of others.

Creation

Creation can be credited only to God.

God created people in His image.

God's world is orderly, following God's purpose.

God gives people the responsibility to care for His creation.

God is still at work in His creation, cares what happens in it, and is working out His plan through it.

God wants people to praise Him for His creation.

God restores our relationship with Him when we trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. Our response is worship.

Church

The church is a fellowship of baptized believers who meet together to worship and serve God. Churches today are part of the movement Jesus and His followers began.

God calls church leaders to train believers to join in God's work.

God uses the church to meet people's needs as an expression of His love.

Churches gather together to worship and respond to God.

God wants people to be good stewards of their money, time, talents, and possessions.

The Lord's Supper is a church ordinance-a command Jesus gave to the church. The body and blood of Jesus are represented in the Lord's Supper. Christians participate in the Lord's Supper to remember Jesus' death.

Baptism is an ordinance-a command Jesus gave to the church. Baptism by immersion is a symbol of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Christians are baptized to show they have trusted in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

People

Life is a gift from God.

God loves me so I can appreciate my value.

People are responsible for their choices and any consequences for their actions.

God will help Christians know and use their spiritual gifts.

God wants people to communicate with Him and study the Bible daily.

People can take deliberate actions to grow in Christlikeness.

People are accountable to God for the way they treat other people.

People can live with joy regardless of their circumstances.

God has a plan for each person to understand and follow.

People can acknowledge and follow God's authority in their lives.

Because a person's body is God's temple, God wants us to honor Him with our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

God commands people to obey Him. People can trust that He will help them resist temptation and give them self-control.

Because Jesus' death on the cross, we can seek forgiveness from Him and others and restore broken relationships.

God expects people to remain pure in all aspects of life with their bodies, thoughts, attitudes, actions, and speech.

God gives each believer one or more spiritual gifts to do His work. God provides resources and other believers to help disciples grow in their faith.

God provides resources and other believers to help disciples grow in their faith.

Family

Families are a part of God's plan for providing for children's spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional needs.

God's plan is for each person to make a positive contribution to his or her family. Men and women have different but complementary roles in the family.

God expects children to honor Him in the way they honor their parents throughout their lives.

God wants families to have an attitude of worship.

A man and a woman marry in a covenant relationship, promising to love each other, until death, as God loves them.

God loves families even when families are broken. God wants all believers to act as the family of God and help others in difficult times.

Community and World

God values all people everywhere, both unborn and born, from every race, ethnicity, and culture.

God allows people to join Him in His work throughout the world.

God calls all Christians to tell people about Jesus and to teach them how to know and follow God.

People can pray for missionaries and the people they teach and serve.

God tells me to connect with all types of people and show them His love.

Missionaries are Christians called by God to boldly tell another group of people the Good News about Jesus, no matter the danger.

Middle School

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Middle Schoolers are:

  • Continuing to develop core beliefs and values during these years
  • Beginning to think critically about their worldview and the worldviews of others
  • Dealing with issues surrounding identity and self-image
  • Asking questions about God’s will for their lives
  • Learning the social and cultural norms in relationships
  • Developing a strong ability to connect biblical truths to life situations
  • Being taught the importance of having boundaries in all spheres of life
  • Learning to consistently practice spiritual disciplines

Biblical Concepts

God

There is one God who reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is eternal, and has existed for eternity past and will exist for eternity into the future.

Because God is holy, He is altogether separate from and far above people who are sinful.

God is worthy of our worship because of how He relates to us and because of who He is, and we owe to Him our attention and affections.

God relates to His people according to His covenant promises, He is faithful, and He always keeps His promises to us.

God is Creator, all creation is a result of His work, and people were created to live in relationship with Him.

God communicates to us through His Word and hears and answers when we pray.

God is omnipresent (all places at all times), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (all-powerful).

God is loving and righteous and will one day make right all that sin has damaged.

Jesus

Jesus is fully God and fully man, and He is altogether holy.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.

Jesus lived for the glory of the Father and taught that we should do the same through lives of worship.

Because Jesus is God, He had the power to perform miracles.

Jesus is the only way people can connect with God.

From the beginning, God planned that Jesus would save people from their sins and sent Him at exactly the right time.

Jesus sits at God's right hand and continually prays for us.

Jesus will one day return to exercise His reign over creation.

Holy Spirit

Each person who comes to faith in Christ receives the Holy Spirit and is given a spiritual gift.

Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit to minister to God’s people in a special way.

The Holy Spirit intercedes before the Father on our behalf.

The Holy Spirit inspired and guided people to write the Bible.

Bible

The Bible is the only inspired written Word of God.

The Bible is true, without error, and will last forever.

Through the Bible, we know God Himself and how He expects us to live.

The entire Bible is the story of God’s work in creation and centers around Jesus.

Salvation

Before the beginning of time, God’s plan for salvation centered on Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Because of our rebellion against God, we deserve eternal punishment.

People cannot save themselves, and Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God.

God’s salvation is eternal, and nothing can separate us from Him.

We can be confident in our salvation when we live in obedience to God and in ways that reflect Jesus.

Creation

God is Creator, and all creation is a result of His work.

Creation testifies as to the existence of God, and people are without excuse for their disbelief and disobedience.

God’s creation functions in an orderly way and serves His purposes as He continues to work.

God has given people responsibility for overseeing His creation, and we should steward it for His purposes.

Church

The Church is a fellowship of believers, and we are called to meet together regularly.

The Church isn’t a place or a building, but consists of the people who belong to the family of God.

The Church is responsible for training and equipping its members for works of ministry, and Church members are called to give their time, resources, and talents.

The ordinances of the Church are the Lord’s Supper and baptism, which are earthly symbols of eternal realities.

People

God loves all people, regardless of ethnicity or status, and proved His love by sending Jesus to bear the penalty for our sin on the cross.

All people are created in God’s image, and our lives are a gift from God.

People are created as moral beings and are responsible for their choices, including the ways we treat others.

Growth in Christ’s likeness requires our intentional efforts.

Because of Jesus, people can live with joy regardless of circumstances.

God has a plan for every person, and He wants us to understand His plans for us.

God expects people to remain pure in all aspects of life and empowers us to live in obedience as we live by the Spirit.

We are called to love all people and to live in community with those within the church.

All people have sinned, and have been separated from God, but because of Jesus, we can be restored to a relationship with Him.

Family

Families are a part of God’s plan for filling the earth with His image-bearers and His glory, and are responsible for providing for the needs of family members.

God’s plan for the family involves one man and one woman committing to one another in a lifelong covenant relationship as a reflection of God’s love for His people.

God calls children to honor their parents throughout their lives as an expression of honoring Him.

When families experience brokenness, God desires to bring healing and unity and to use the broader family of God to minister to hurting families during difficult times.

Community and World

God continues to work in the world, and people are invited to join Him in His work.

God values all people and calls Christians to live on mission for the sake of reaching the lost with the gospel.

We are to be involved in reaching the nations through prayer, giving resources, loving actions, and sharing the gospel.

High School

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High Schoolers are:

  • Comfortable in articulating their beliefs and values to those around them
  • Conscientiously aware and socially active regarding the cultural issues surrounding them
  • Asking how their faith is consistent or contradictory with other beliefs
  • Continuing to develop ideas pertaining to personal identity and self-image
  • Learning to navigate social and cultural norms in relationships
  • Exercising more independence and looking forward to life after high school
  • Learning fiscal responsibility through work and stewardship
  • Capable of exercising more leadership responsibilities within the church

Biblical Concepts

God

There is one God who reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person of the Trinity has distinct personal attributes.

God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is eternal, and although He is not bound by time, He chooses to operate in it in order to relate to us.

Because God is holy, He is altogether separate from and far above people who are sinful and deserves our reverence and obedience.

God is worthy of our worship, and to devote our attention or affections to worldly things which are rightly owed to God is idolatry.

God is Creator, all creation is a result of His work, and people were created in His image and as His crowning achievement to live in relationship with Him and reflect His glory.

God communicates to us through His Word and hears and answers when we pray, and our spiritual maturity depends on these spiritual disciplines.

God is omnipresent (all places at all times), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (all-powerful), and exercises sovereignty over all creation.

God is righteous, grieves the impact of sin on the world, and will one day make right all that sin has damaged.

Jesus

Jesus is fully God and fully man, and despite being tempted while on earth, remained altogether free from sin.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, which means He didn’t inherit the sinful nature passed down from Adam and made Him fit to be our Savior.

Jesus lived for the glory of the Father and taught that we should do the same through lives of worship, service, and sacrifice.

Because Jesus is God, He had the power to perform miracles, and He did so to demonstrate His power over sin and to help people overcome their lack of faith.

Because no sin can enter God’s presence and because Jesus is holy, He is the only way people can connect with God.

From the beginning, God planned that Jesus would save people from their sins, and it was necessary that He would be crucified and raised.

Jesus sits at God's right hand and continually intercedes for us as our advocate, mediator, and high priest.

Jesus will one day return to exercise His reign over creation, and He will make all things new.

Holy Spirit

God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is eternal, and although He is not bound by time, He chooses to operate in it in order to relate to us.

Each person who comes to faith in Christ receives the Holy Spirit and is endowed with a spiritual gift for the sake of serving the Church.

Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit has come to convict, teach, comfort, lead, strengthen, and seal us, as well as to produce fruit within and through us.

The Holy Spirit intercedes before the Father on our behalf when we don’t know how or what to pray.

The Holy Spirit inspired and guided people to write the Bible and used the personalities and voices of men to communicate the very words of God.

Bible

The Bible consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments and is the only inspired written Word of God.

The Bible is internally consistent, true, without error, totally trustworthy, and will last forever.

Through the Bible, we know God Himself, and we know how He expects us to live in order to follow Christ and experience His blessing.

The Bible is the story of God's work to redeem fallen creation through the saving work of Jesus, who will one day make all things new.

Salvation

Before the beginning of time, God’s plan for salvation centered on Jesus’ death and resurrection, which made salvation possible.

Because of our rebellion against God, we have been cut off from our relationship with Him, and we deserve eternal death in hell, which is the punishment for sin.

No amount of good works can save a person, and Jesus’ paying the penalty for our sin is the only way to be reconciled to God.

God’s salvation is eternal, and once we are adopted into God’s family, nothing can separate us from Him.

We can be confident in our salvation when we, as a matter of desire, live in obedience to God and in ways that reflect Jesus.

Creation

God is Creator, and all creation is a result of His work and exists to glorify Him.

Creation testifies as to the existence of God, and because His power and nature are understood through what He has made, people are without excuse for their disbelief and disobedience.

God’s creation functions in an orderly way and serves His purposes as He exercises sovereign rule over it all.

People are God’s most loved creation and have been given responsibility for overseeing His creation. As we steward it for His purposes, we reflect God’s character and authority.

Church

The Church is a fellowship of believers who are called to meet together regularly for the sake of studying Scripture, prayer, worship, serving, encouraging one another, and to testify to God’s goodness to the world.

The Church isn’t a place or a building, but is made up of the people who belong to the family of God, and whereas under the Old Covenant, God dwelled in the temple or the tabernacle, today God dwells in His people.

The Church is responsible for training and equipping its members for works of ministry, and Church members are called to give of their time, resources, and talents for the sake of serving those within the church and reaching those outside the Church.

The ordinances of the Church are the Lord’s Supper, which represents the body and blood of Jesus as the payment of our sin, and baptism, which represents our sharing in Jesus’ burial and resurrection.

People

Despite our rebellion, God loves all people, regardless of ethnicity or status, desires that we would all turn to Him for salvation, and proved His love by sending Jesus to bear the penalty for our sin on the cross.

All people are created in God’s image, are infinitely valuable, and our lives are a gift from God.

We can grow in Christlikeness by acting intentionally to pursue Christ and as God works in our lives.

Growth in Christ’s likeness is accomplished as we act intentionally to pursue Christ and as God works in our lives.

Because of Jesus, people can live with joy regardless of circumstances, as joy is rooted in eternity and not in earthly circumstances.

God has a plan for every person, and we can know His plans by understanding and applying the truth of Scripture.

Our response to God’s love is to remain pure in all aspects of life—with our bodies, thoughts, attitudes, actions, and speech— and He empowers us to obey His commands as we live by the Spirit.

We are called to love all people and to live in community with those within the church, and through Jesus we can experience forgiveness and unity with others.

All people have sinned, and have been separated from God, but we can be restored to a relationship with Him when we trust in Jesus and turn from our sin.

Family

Families are a part of God’s plan for filling the earth with His image-bearers and His glory, and are responsible for providing for the spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional needs of family members.

God’s plan for the family involves one man and one woman, who have different but complementary roles, committing to one another in a lifelong covenant relationship as a reflection of God’s love for His people.

God calls children to honor their parents throughout their lives as a reflection of honor and love for Him. Further, we are to demonstrate love toward all members of our families, including siblings, extended family, and those who God brings into our families as a result of fostering, adoption, or remarriage.

When families experience brokenness, such as conflict, abuse, or divorce, God desires to bring healing and unity and to use the broader family of God to minister to hurting families during difficult times.

Community and World

God values all people—born and unborn, young and old, male and female, all ethnicities, those of opposing faiths—and calls Christians to live on mission for the sake of reaching the lost across the street and around the world through prayer, giving resources, acting with love, and sharing the gospel.

God values all people—born and unborn, young and old, male and female, all ethnicities—and calls Christians to live on mission for the sake of reaching the lost with the gospel.

We are to be involved in reaching the nations, which includes those across the street and those around the world, through prayer, giving resources, loving actions, and sharing the gospel.

We demonstrate honor for God when we respect the earthly authorities God has placed in our lives, including parents, pastors, teachers, coaches, police, and government.

As kids grow, their understanding of foundational truths grows with them.

Example progression of understanding

  • Younger Preschoolers - God loves people
  • Middle Preschoolers - God shows His love to me
  • Older Preschoolers - God shows His love to people
  • Younger Kids - God shows love to His people
  • Middle Kids - God loves and values people around the world
  • Preteens - God loves and values people around the world, no matter their status, race, or ethnicity
  • Middle Schoolers - God is Creator, all creation is a result of His work, and people were created to live in relationship with Him
  • High Schoolers - God is Creator, all creation is a result of His work, and people were created in His image and as His crowning achievement to live in relationship with Him and reflect His glory