This purpose of this page is to provide some simple resources and weblinks for parents who are looking for Bible-based resources to help them teach their children.
The Background
Originally, because we understood these sorts of challenges through our own experiences, this page was created to help other Christian parents with a list of good possibilities for situations such as:
- for cheering a sick child who needs to stay home from Sunday School and church (with a parent who is likely tired too and perhaps also sick with “a bug”)
- for suggesting a list of good things to watch or listen to for an adult who is home from church with poor health or other limitations
- for encouraging families who still desire an evening church time but their local church has decided to no longer hold services that time
- for supporting families who live a longer distance from a Bible-believing church and sometimes cannot travel that distance as often as they’d like
- for encouraging families who still desire Sunday School plus church time but their local church has decided to no longer offer Sunday School; thus there is a period of time earlier on Sunday mornings or in the afternoon to enjoy S.S. at home.
- for providing meaningful printables to quietly work on during sermons if children remain in the main service.
Most of the links have free resources and/or ones that can be accessed quickly (e.g. downloads). Some of them have resources which, to use, would need to be purchased.
Update: If you are looking for the sermons with the children’s free colouring page printables, they have been moved from this website to a newer ministry website called The Word in Our Hearts.
Please remember…
…these links are not intended to replace regularly meeting with local Christians as part of a local church that is growing in Christ. Rather, consider these links to supplement – strengthen and encourage you – in addition to meeting (even via technology if necessary) with believers in Christ whom you personally know.
Preview Standards
Our Statement of Faith is at this link: ABOUT OUR FAITH. We might not agree with everything presented at the below websites but the specific items mentioned on this page have been a blessing to notice online. We hope that they will be an encouragement in your spiritual walk with God! 💟
What kind of resources are the ones emphasized on this page?
- the kind that require little or no prep and yet are meaningful to a wide age range
- not the kind of high-energy lesson one might put together for a S.S. class of children
- not just a marathon of videos with some sort of minor “Christian” content.
- It might be something that works for all ages – both adults and children, or it might be something that is easy to do with children while having something else in the same or next room for the older people of the household.
- Essentially, the typical purposes of “Sunday School” (evangelism and discipleship/teaching) are our focus, not entertainment or busywork. We still have young children and specifically wanted to keep the majority of these links appropriate for young children (e.g. some understanding/interest of) and family worship times.
Resources and Links
Below are a couple of FREE resources offered from our family. Please click on the graphic to download the page(s) you are interested in:
Teaching Children the Bible How do you teach the Bible to your children? Do you use a monotone, boring voice, straining or sighing? I hope not but many people don’t know or perhaps remember, how to read, how to retell, how to make a lesson more memorable. What about objects or visuals – do you use those at least occasionally? Here are some simple tips to make your teaching sparkle!
A Teacher is Needed Now! Have you ever been asked to “fill-in” for a teacher who can’t make it to Sunday School? These are substitute teaching ideas to make into a bookmark for your Bible.
Almost all of the links BELOW will take you outside of our website.
Full Disclosure: These are not affiliate links (unless otherwise noted). We have had some products of a few of these ministries in our catalogues/shop in past years and may still have small amounts of discontinued items from them in stock however, otherwise we receive no compensation for telling you about these links.
We are not responsible for what you see or how any linked websites behave and hopefully you would also see what we saw. We checked links in 2020 and are beginning to re-check and update this page in 2023. Please let us know about any broken or erroneous links if you find any.
The categories I roughly grouped the links into are as follows:
Children’s Short Lessons and Stories, Creation or Science, Geography-Related,
Longer Stories and/or Lessons/Seminars, Crafting or Artwork to Do that is Scripture-based,
Bible Memory Verses and Games that are Bible-based, Teaching in Children’s Ministry,
Sermons and/or Devotionals (short or regular length – suitable for children/teens/adults),
Concerts, Musicals, Screenplays, and Other Long Videos, Music (to sing with)
Children’s Short Lessons and Stories
- “For Children: A Little City of Refuge” – a special children’s story on video (Canadian pastor, 2020) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMB1TIlIAmc
- The Beginners Bible – There are several really good stories for preschoolers within the series, including this one on Adam and Eve – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9oh4YO8N7M and David – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7phn_d0Cok .
- Douglas Talks https://douglastalks.com/watch-douglas-talks/
- Chalk Art Presentation – Joseph Graber – “Two Ways” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sS7G5Y1G_U
- Chalk Art Presentation – Dwight Haynes – “Colossians 3” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBqRcl1tyuw
- Bible story filmstrips from the Moody Bible Institute, circa 1955 playlist at The Hymn Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBCA38CBE84D821C7
- Steve Green’s Prayer Bear series (teaches young children about prayer; for purchase) – https://stevegreenministries.org/product/the-adventures-of-prayer-bear-dvd/
- Keys for Kids Ministries (Retro) – this is a link to their classic (older) children’s radio stories – https://www.keysforkids.org/Programming/Retro
- Theo Presents – animated videos on various doctrinal themes (e.g. forgiveness, justification, etc.) for young children (or really, all ages) – This bonus episode is free – https://www.theopresents.com/products/good-news . (The DVDs are excellent!) This website also has free coloring pages, puzzlers.
- Charity Christian Fellowship Children’s Sermons (Lancaster, PA) – recordings of church children’s talks – http://charitychristianfellowship.org/sermons/children
- A newer song that goes along with the story of the woman brought to Jesus by the Pharisees (John 8:1-11) – “The Voice of Grace” (Marty Hamby, Word Music & Church Resources) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrQd8kvzsYQ
- The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes (original version, Kenneth N. Taylor, read by Bill Pearce) – playlist for entire book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNwRtSfzKNs&list=PLNCiI4Fn84x8_Yz9NhGWDdo40lI6mrGWd
- The Jungle Doctor Animal Fables by missionary doctor Paul White (old filmstrip-like, stories with a spiritual lesson) – there are several stories – this link goes to one called “The Great Wall” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZURNG595F0
- Zechariah’s Benedictus: His Name is John (animated, by Glorious Films) – this is part of a longer musical called “The Promise” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm-2aEZKh4k
- Bethany’s Christmas Pageant – a live nativity presentation from Kitchener, Ont.
- Isaac and Rebekah (and other similar stories on that channel – Teaching Kids About Jesus) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrwZrMzX09o
- Faithville Episodes (Faithville Productions, Ontario) – This link goes to their old series of fun and meaningful stories, set in the 1940’s (but for all ages). These were produced in southwestern Ontario, near where Rob grew up. Through stories and short integrated lessons on a theme, the audience is taught about salvation, the fruit of the Spirit, the armor of God, prayer, gossip, anger, etc.. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi9WZ6Nb1NK2-9Wt0_EcqztY7bJfXw3TH
- Ethel Barrett (an author of books and a storyteller for audio Bible stories and character/virtue animal stories) – This link shows some of her Bible story recordings. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvh2-2aF0FSLZqkSrzlg2Q/videos
- “Mrs. G” – Kitty Anna Griffiths of Toronto, ON – an author and storyteller for audio Bible stories – this link goes to the collection of downloadable Bible stories: https://www.biblestoriesalive.org/mp3/
Creation or Science, Geography-Related
- Creation Quest (zoo, aquarium short videos) https://www.creationquest.net/
- Ian Juby (Canada) has travelled around with highly visual and science-related presentations which are free to watch online – https://ianjuby.org/watch-ians-videos/
- God of Wonders (creation, gospel video from Eternal Productions) – http://www.godofwondersvideo.org/chapters.htm
- Answers in Genesis Ministries, for example – https://answersingenesis.org/kids/videos/ , https://answersingenesis.org/
- Playlist of 20 Moody Bible Institute’s Science Videos (circa 1949, full length) – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_rC1cWgkGvMv8o-FTMF3hS37gOzfCSOQ
- Kids Around the World (short missions-related videos for children posted by the Weave family) – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_RdkMF_kzHoWL1seZlb0EQrYL-ihzqv9
Longer Stories and/or Lessons/Seminars
- Good Seed International – “The Lamb”, a children’s program going through the Bible’s gospel message (overview of Old Testament, New Testament; available in multi-languages for purchase) – https://www.goodseed.com/the-lamb.html
- Bible Visuals International – Christian biographies and Bible story visuals (paper and electronic formats) – https://biblevisuals.org/free-resources/ and https://biblevisuals.org/shop/
- A Missionary Story – “Bad Legs” (Elinor Young – a young girl with polio grows up to be a missionary overseas) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuRvXePv_wA Elinor’s comments on COVID-19 are here on the March 25, 2020 post: https://www.facebook.com/biblevisuals/
- Down Gilead Lane Radio Drama series (modern-day Christian family adventures) – can listen-on-demand here: https://www.keysforkids.org/Programming/Down-Gilead-Lane/Read-Listen
- Brinkman Audio (e.g. ages 10 years +) – true missionary stories, modern-day with application/encouragement towards missions (for purchase) – https://brinkmanadventures.com/
- Moody Bible Radio – There are some former radio programs for kids on this site. One example is the “Stories of Great Christians” (audio biographies) – https://moodyaudio.com/store/archive/stories-great-christians
- BBN Radio (teen and adult audio sessions on a variety of Bible topics) – https://bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/start-here/
- The Bible Minor Project (Cedarville University’s selection of general Bible lectures from 5 courses for free) – https://www.cedarville.edu/academic-schools-and-departments/biblical-and-theological-studies/bible-minor-project
- The Harvest (a call to the gospel, missions – farming story) (trailer can be seen here: https://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1387#, DVD can be purchased here: https://crustore.org/the-harvest.html
- Our Daily Bread Films and Day of Discovery videos (explaining parts of the Bible showing the land of Israel, common Q & A, Christian biographies, and more) – some are posted at this link: https://www.youtube.com/user/DayOfDiscoveryVideos and some are posted at this link: https://ourdailybreadfilms.org/course_category/day-of-discovery/ and some are posted at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Qj-VDYJY5OX1YSk81C59g/ .
- Christ in the Passover (visual presentation by “Jews for Jesus” ministry) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBGz3k37kDE
- Musical piece that teaches about Zion and God’s purposes (by Aaron Shust) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_GsKLJcum8
- Joe Amaral’s videos explaining the Hebrew context of the Bible – We have seen God’s Holy Days (the Feasts of Israel and how they relate to Christianity) and Hebraic Roots/Messianic Miracles. https://joeamaral.org/shop/ (Note: These are NOT the same viewpoint as the unbiblical “Hebrew Roots Movement”. Joe Amaral is an evangelical pastor explaining how understanding the Jewish history and culture, which is what first century Christianity would be familiar with, helps us in seeing fascinating parallels and significance between the Old and New Testaments. He upholds salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Jesus Christ alone as our Lord and Saviour.)
- Walk Thru The Bible (an overview of the Bible, explaining the general message and key events/people with motions – all ages) Watch the sessions for free – https://www.walkthru.org/stepintothestory/
Crafting or Artwork to Do that is Scripture-based
- Bible Visuals International – free colouring pages (e.g. for Easter, Christmas, etc.) – https://biblevisuals.org/free-resources/
- King of Glory – free (sample) colouring pages here – https://rockintl.org/rock-resources/king-of-glory/kog-coloring-book
- Tauna Meyer’s Book of James study (sets of full-page-size printable Scripture cards to paint – for purchase) – https://proverbialhomemakerstore.com/collections/prayer-devotion/products/james-family-bible-study-bundle
- Coloring Pages, available in multi-languages – https://christiananswers.net/kids/clr-indx.html
- Bible Verse Printables – https://biblestoryprintables.com/bible-verse-printables-kids/ and https://biblestoryprintables.com/bible-verse/
- Bible Printables – various colouring pages, activity sheets, some of the vintage type.
- Hands-On Bible Teacher – Ronda Duvall – This is a huge website of ideas for teaching Bible stories with hands-on components. Look along the righthand side for specific stories to find lesson ideas – https://handsonbibleteacher.blogspot.com/
- Danielle’s Place – another huge compilation of craft ideas for Bible lessons, for example – https://www.daniellesplace.com/html/palm-sunday-bible-crafts-sunday-school.html#lesson
- Joy’s Pinterest site has a number of boards relating to Bible stories, crafts, colouring pages – these are organized according to sections of the Bible. See our Pinterest at this link or click the symbol on the top of any page on our website.
- The Word In Our Hearts – some sermons have printables which go along with the audio message. (This is a ministry website of Peppermint Stick Learning Company Inc..)
- TO VIEW VARIOUS ITEMS IN OUR ONLINE SHOP, CHECK BOTH OUR “BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN ED.” SECTION AND THE “ART” SECTION
Bible Memory Verses and Games that are Bible-based
- Extreme Bible Drills – ideas that expand on the traditional sword drill game of looking up a Bible verse quickly (I especially like the first idea about grabbing an object) https://ministry127.com/childrens-ministry/extreme-bible-drills
- Topical Bible Drills – references provided on a variety of clickable topics http://sermons.ambassadorapp.com/sword-drills
- Bible Challenge Quizzes – https://www.backtothebible.org/bible-challenge-quizzes
- Scripture Talk Ministries – (hand motions; for purchase) – https://www.scripturetalkministries.com/Media.html also their links page has more Bible memory resources from other websites)
- A-B-C Say It With Me Bible Memory Verses (preschool/primary age video; for purchase) http://www.moorefamilyfilms.com/p/abc-say-it-with-me.html
- Sing the Word – Scripture Memory Songs (several instruments plus voice; professional family of musicians) – https://singtheword.com/
- His Word in Me – Scripture Memory Songs (professionally-recorded children’s voices, piano, sometimes with actions) – https://www.hiswordinme.com/
- Bible Truth Music – Bible memory verse songs for children https://www.bibletruthmusic.com/product/bible-songs-for-kids-1-downloadable/
- Ruth Graham’s ABC Gospels (a free download of 26 Scriptures printable for children) – found at this blog post link: https://billygraham.org/story/cissie-graham-lynch-encourages-parents-to-slow-down-during-covid-19/
- Bible Verse Posters in Multi-Languages (e.g. French, Spanish, etc.) – http://seedsowersonline.com/product-category/bible-posters/bible-posters-in-other-languages/
Teaching in Children’s Ministry
- E-quip.net Website – https://e-quip.net/ (e.g. type in search “Sunday School” or “Children’s Ministry”)
- “God’s Bridge To Eternal Life” (online tract explaining the gospel) – https://wilds.org/resources/how-can-i-know-god/
- Walk Thru the Bible (teaching methods – relevant objects, hand motions, creative voice, etc.) Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk5rHpngRyc
- Disciple Land Curriculum (We have liked their systematic-through-the-Bible-Genesis-to-Revelation products; these are designed for preschoolers to pre-teens (although teens can like the older levels too). Canadian distributor: https://bcmintl.ca/product-category/discipleland/
- Free Bible Images – various photos and illustrations useful for visuals to give a Bible lesson. Some have am optional script (lesson retelling) given in a variety of languages.
- Richard Gunther – a cartoon artist who draws lessons and gospel tracts. You can easily click through them while reading, like a slideshow. He also has printable games and crafts.
Sermons and/or Devotionals (short or regular length – suitable for a wide age range of audience including children)
- Back to the Bible Canada https://www.backtothebible.ca/
- Back to the Bible USA (e.g. Warren Wiersbe, Theodore Epp, Woodrow Kroll, etc.) – https://www.backtothebible.org/
- Warren Wiersbe’s Heritage Bible Teaching
- Thru the Bible Radio (teaching through the Bible in 5 years) – http://www.thruthebible.ca/
- New Brunswick Bible Institute’s video and audio resources from past events – http://nbbi.ca/resources/
- Devotional Studies with History of Christian Hymns (Robert Cottrill) – https://wordwisehymns.com/hymn-index/
- Living in the Light (free weekly 25 minute audio recordings’ Bible studies with application) – https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/living-light-weekly-podcast/ and free seminar (video) for one method of learning how to study the Bible for yourself – https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/learningtohearhisvoice/
- (Scroll down to the bottom of our ABOUT OUR FAITH page for a few more links of free full-length messages (on YouTube) that our family listened to also from Anne Graham Lotz.)
- Gospel Tent Meetings (various musical and message videos, audio, from family camp in Pennsylvania) – http://tentmeetings.com/
- Triple C Camp (audio sermons from a camp in Ontario) – http://www.christcenteredcamping.ca/index.html
- Ian Leitch – Easter Message (MEF Branson) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQwyenkhTY (part 1) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4BJSwoQSRA (part 2). He also spoke at Moody’s Founders Week (“No One Like Him” at Moody Bible Institute) at this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AFdOeFqyXg Ian Leitch’s website is The Herald’s Trust. On it are free apologetic videos on various questions relating to general Christianity (under tab “Discipleship”) https://www.theheraldstrust.org/discipleship/rocksolid . Mr. Leitch also spoke for a week at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference.
- Jimmy DeYoung, Word of Life Bible Conference speaker – topics on prophecy, the Book of Revelation; some of his videos are on Youtube such as “Let Them Hear” (a 2014 movie about the letters to the seven churches in Revelation).
- Sermon Audio – a large collection, various speakers, topics https://www.sermonaudio.com/main.asp
- Cedarville University Chapel Archives – https://www.cedarville.edu/Chapel/Archive.aspx
- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – A 2020 Special (free viewing) – https://billygraham.org/video/the-cross-easter/ . Other TV Specials and BGEA Classics can be seen here – https://www.youtube.com/user/bgeainternet/playlists .
- Ken Davis – “How to Live Life to the Fullest” (First Baptist Orlando) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqYHfaKSTI
- Dr. Bob Parschauer (2016 sermon with a very visual ppt presentation) – “A Working Faith” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5fUCnToJNc (The speaker is part of the Word of Life Quartet which sings “As the Eagle Cares for His Own” in the subsequent video linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vBjm4sqaYo .)
- Mennonite families singing for services with devotional/message – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_21W8o67o8 (click on the church’s channel that uploaded it to find additional ones).
Concerts, Musicals, Screenplays, and Other Long Videos
- Easter Play 2014 – “Dead or Alive” – Greater Grace Church https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUTZHN7lR8I
- Fat, Fat Jehoshaphat https://www.kathiehillmusic.com/ acted out by Calvary Baptist Church, 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAPadTdv7ow
- Family Programs with Uncle Charlie Vandermeer (ventriloquist with Children’s Bible Hour) – 2010 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0vELBKGI6Q&list=PLTPu3_EHa0c-cqG-QeWwr3sjCooEPSAvh&index=31&t=0s and 2006 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y32cTAw0F9I&list=PLTPu3_EHa0c-cqG-QeWwr3sjCooEPSAvh&index=51
- The Pilgrim’s Progress (a 2017 musical from Rogue Valley Fellowship) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faeen3y7PV0
- The Story of Jesus for Children (approximately 1 hour) – https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jfp-interests-student-resources.html/the-story-of-jesus-for-children/english.html
- The Visual Bible – Acts (1994; the script is word-for-word (NIV) Bible for all chapters) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezC9qyBRBV4
- Music Mission Kiev (Ukrainian professional musicians; their website tells of missions using music in an interesting story; https://www.musicmissionkiev.org/ourstory and for listening to music – https://www.musicmissionkiev.org/listen-1 )
- CBH Ministries (Keys for Kids Ministries) – older children’s tour presentations (up to the year 1999) with music and a story each – https://www.youtube.com/user/cbhministries
- “Brother Andrew” (Open Doors Ministry) – 2015 webcast – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLslz7ARLw
- The Red Sea Miracle – this is a slide presentation with Steve Law. He gives the information at a slower pace compared to a high-energy movie. It can be good with kids watching it too.
- The Good Journey (family-friendly modern-day story about relationships, the prodigal son, the good Samaritan) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOamGdm2IMQ
- King of Glory the Movie (Rock International) Very long but can be viewed in chapters; this is a detailed overview of the Old and New Testament with pictures (available in 37 languages) –- https://rockintl.org/resources
- The Secrets of Jonathon Sperry (DVD) – https://www.christianbook.com/the-secrets-of-jonathan-sperry/pd/012997
- A Man Called Norman (2014 Focus on the Family movie) – https://mikeadkins.org/products.html
- Billy Graham Films (Worldwide Pictures) – Some old films can be viewed through this link: https://billygraham.org/story/bgea-films-available-on-amazon-prime-starting-jan-17/
Music (to sing with)
- Kaleb Brasse piano https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOuPaqHkKORFp-_9N-y-KLA
- Getty’s home sing-along – https://www.youtube.com/user/KeithAndKristynGetty/playlists
- Greg Howlett (concert pianist with orchestra, scenery) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcZqMeQmOZ8 (He also offers tips for musicians on his website here: https://greghowlett.com/free-instructional-videos )
- Jenifer Cook (concert pianist also with tips for musicians here: http://thechurchpianist.com/ and hymns, sometimes by request, on live Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/thechurchpianist/ )
- Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em In Your Heart series, etc. https://stevegreenministries.org/?s=Hide
- “We Believe” – a song sung by Steve Green, a summary of Christian doctrine.
- Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary – John M. Moore tells of writing this hymn and sings with his concertina.
- John 3:16 sung in 6 languages
- Jiah Veinot (pianist from NS) – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQr1Q7VFN2QywNZ3CvYNaXg
- Palm Village Old-Fashioned Hymn Sings – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWvr0ebBwMU
- Bible Visuals International – song visuals – words with pictures to enhance their meaning (paper and electronic formats) – https://biblevisuals.org/product-category/hymns-and-songs/
- Parschauer Sisters – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLi3QzKc_rijLri56tpBSvg