Jesus and Friends

Explore New Testament stories of Jesus and those around him who helped him, provided for him, and delighted him. In the first story, Jesus calls the first disciples, two pair of fishermen brothers, with the simple invitation to follow him. At the end of the unit, all twelve disciples are named, those who followed Jesus from beginning to end and beyond, spreading the good news themselves as they had been taught. In between are the women, faithful and true, caring for Jesus and his ministry with their time and resources, and the children, those he welcomed without reservation, enfolding them in grace. These friends are us—those who follow, those who minister, those who savor the presence of Jesus.

Stories included in this unit:

• Follow Me! (Matthew 4:18–22)
• Joanna and Susanna Help Jesus (Luke 8:1–3)
• Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42)
• Jesus Blesses the Children (Mark 10:13–16)
• Jesus Chooses Twelve Disciples (Matthew 10:1–4, Mark 3:13–19)

Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum invites children and their leaders to wonder, play, and connect with one another as they develop a better relationship with God. By exploring the stories in Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible, children and their leaders learn more about who God is and what their relationship is with God. This curriculum has 35 units filled with 148 stories from the story Bible that dive deep into characters and themes in the Bible. Children and their leader will read the story together from the story Bible, pause to allow the story to resonate, and then engage with the story and wrestle with their place in that story.

Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum is written for ages 5–10 and is intentionally multiage, meaning that children are all grouped together. Grouping children this way brings a relational focus to the sessions and fosters a collaborative spirit. The curriculum also includes an intergenerational component with four suggestions for intergenerational and home ideas for each session within a unit. Those ideas include suggestions for things to do in worship, more education-focused ideas, ways to connect with one another, and mission ideas. This adds another dimension to learning and helps the children connect to the congregation, creating a holistic approach to children’s ministry.