What Are the Levels of Biblical Learning?

The Levels of Biblical Learning are biblical concepts — truths — that kids need to learn as they grow from infancy to the beginning of the teenage years. The concepts are organized by 10 major categories: God, Jesus, Bible, Creation, Family, Self, Church, Community and World, Holy Spirit (school-age only), and Salvation (school-age only).

For example under the concept area of God, these are some truths that teachers and parents should teach

• God is good. (Babies-2s)

• God is special. (3s-Pre-K)

• God is special. No one is like Him. (Kindergarten)

• God is special - no one and nothing can be compared to God. (Grades 1-2)

• God is unique - no one and nothing can be compared to Him. (Grades 3-4)

• God is eternal, holy, and perfect. (Preteens)

Hear the Truth

Kids first learn about these concepts at various life stages as they hear parents and church teachers talk about them. Paul reminds us: "How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? … So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ" (Romans 10:14, 17).

Know the Truth

Hearing is only the beginning. The next step is for children to know what the biblical concepts mean as they understand and comprehend Bible truths. This knowledge is more than memorization, although that is often an important element. Knowing God's Word includes internalizing Bible truths in both the mind and the heart. In writing to his protégé, Timothy, Paul says, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Obey the Truth

Is that it? Hearing and knowing God's Word? The Bible teaches that obedience is a third necessary component: "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22). Kids who are growing spiritually also do God's Word by applying Bible truths to their everyday lives. However, children who hear God's Word repeatedly and begin to understand it may not apply Bible truth consistently. Adults need to continually encourage kids to obey God's teachings.

While we are not responsible for the choices children make, when we help kids hear, know, and do God's Word, we lay foundations for salvation and spiritual transformation. We want kids to learn about Jesus, come to know Jesus personally, and have a lifelong experience of growing to be like Him.

The Levels of Biblical Learning provide the framework for kids to hear, know, and do God's Word. In other words, they are the biblical concepts that children need to hear, understand, and apply.

Think about this idea in the context of building a house. The Levels of Biblical Learning are the blueprint for building the house. Hearing, knowing, and doing God's Word are the foundation of the house. Kids who know Jesus Christ personally and who are growing to be like Him are the house that God is building. We follow the plans and lay the foundation. God calls children to a personal and eternal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus.

At Lifeway, we work hard to know kids. We take time to understand how they play and how they learn. And we know you need resources you can count on to connect kids to God's Word-leading them toward knowing Christ and growing in relationship with Him. That's why Lifeway Kids promises to offer foundational resources that are biblically sound, age appropriate, fun and easy to use. These resources help kids hear God's Word, know God's Word, and do God's Word by learning to apply it to their lives.

Lifeway Kids uses the Levels of Biblical Learning to guide the choices we make regarding what Bible stories and truths are included in all of our curriculum materials, such as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and discipleship. Examine the content of any month-long Bible study for kids, and you will discover the biblical concepts kids are hearing, knowing, and doing.

Levels of Biblical Learning Resources

Sounds good in theory, right? What about implementation? How can teachers at church help kids hear, know, and do God's Word with limited time and resources? Purposeful curriculum materials are definitely a must. But as childhood ministry leaders and volunteers know, teaching active kids in the way God has wired them to learn requires a lot of organization, planning, and teaching aids. That's why Lifeway Kids offers Levels of Biblical Learning resources.