Good Soil E&D is for Children's Ministry
as well as many other kinds of ministries.
A young lady in the USAI grew up going to Sunday school, AWANA, children's church, and Christian day school - but I never learned that there was one BIG Story of the Bible that connected all of the other stories. Good Soil resources have helped me understand how the Bible fits together!
- Do you sometimes worry that the kids in your children's ministries may not be clearly understanding the gospel?
- Are you concerned that they may not be sufficiently grounded in their Christian faith and Bible knowledge?
- Do you wish they would be more active in sharing their faith with their friends?
- Do you worry about their commitment to Jesus when they become exposed to people who will ridicule their faith?
Good Soil's resources for ministry to children were developed to help kids (and adults) clearly understand the gospel , so that they can genuinely embrace it , in order that they will not forsake it .
We all want to share our faith effectively…but how do we do it?
The Story of Hope - Kids
The Story of Hope - Kids workbook is a chronological Bible study for kids, approximately ages 8-12. It is designed to help kids understand the BIG story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation—a perspective that very few other ministry resources provide for children. The workbook contains one page for each of 40 Bible-event lessons, including an image from the Good Soil Redemptive Art Series and questions that get kids digging into the Bible texts for themselves. Also, the Chronological Bridge to Life is presented in an eight-page sequence. There's a Personal Faith Response page too.
Questions and map activities engage kids to read and think, rather than just rotely memorize. This workbook is bright and colorful and beautifully illustrated.
64 pages, Plastic Coil Bound
Loreena in ILI love the concept of Good Soil. God has been teaching me about the importance of His whole Word in sharing the gospel for years. One of my missionary friends mentioned she was using your material and I looked at what it is. Now I am just taking The Story of Hope and introducing a picture/story a week in my girls Sunday School class. Thank you for the framework! I love the way this ties together all of the Word of God. Thanks!
One lady who went to Sunday school as a child, but never truly trusted Jesus as her Savior, was being led through an evangelistic Bible study based on the adult version of The Story of Hope. She commented:
Why didn't they teach the Bible like this to me when I was in Sunday school? If they had done so, I might have understood it and become a true believer.
Register For One FREE Children's Ministry Resource
Select from the following:
The Story of Hope Kids:
Discovering the Provision in God's Plan includes 40 key event-lessons for teaching and learning the Bible's big redemptive story and the Chronological Bridge to Life (ChronoBridge).
The Way to Joy Kids:
Pursuing Basic Steps to Discipleship is a study in basic discipleship.
Both resources are visually designed and language level adapted for kids, ages 8-12.
Thank you!
We're grateful for your heart to minister to children. We pray that this resource will help you effectively communicate the gospel to the kids you work with. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about using Good Soil resources.
Adventures in The Story of Hope
FREE Bible Curriculum
Approximately 400 pages of lesson plans for teaching 48 Bible lessons—40 Bible-event lessons and eight Chronological Bridge to Life lessons. The lessons unfold the BIG Story of the Bible, chronologically from beginning to end, focusing on God's redemptive story. As students learn about major Bible events, they also learn how all of them are connected around the one BIG Story.
Lessons include many creative activities to engage kids in active learning: questions, games, songs, crafts, drama, “My Story of Hope” activities, memory verses, and other Bible learning activities. Also, a complete set of coloring sheets, one per each of the 40 Bible event lessons.
Great resource for your ministry with children.
Elisabeth, Bristolville, OHThank you for offering the Adventures in The Story of Hope teaching guide for free. It gives me much more confidence that I can do this and make it fun for the kids!
Brian, pastor in New YorkWe have been doing very well with Adventures in The Story of Hope. One of the best things for us is that our children's ministry is essentially a one room school house, reaching the kids regardless of the age span. Our kids range from 3 through 9 and they all get something out of the lessons. And they are excited about it too. What an answer to prayer!
The Way to Joy - Kids
The Way to Joy - Kids is a basic discipleship Bible study workbook for kids, approximately ages 8-12. If your students have made professions of faith in Jesus Christ, the next step is obviously discipleship. If you have not done so already, we recommend that you take them through The Story of Hope - Kids. But the next step beyond that would be The Way to Joy - Kids.
The Way to Joy - Kids includes ten lessons on basic truths that every young believer needs to know and some key spiritual disciplines that every Christian needs to practice. It is bright, it is colorful, it is beautifully illustrated with images that kids relate to. And, it includes a Bible reading and prayer journal to accompany the weeks of the discipleship study.
64 pages, Plastic Coil Bound.
Register For One FREE Children's Ministry Resource
Select from the following:
The Story of Hope Kids:
Discovering the Provision in God's Plan includes 40 key event-lessons for teaching and learning the Bible's big redemptive story and the Chronological Bridge to Life (ChronoBridge).
The Way to Joy Kids:
Pursuing Basic Steps to Discipleship is a study in basic discipleship.
Both resources are visually designed and language level adapted for kids, ages 8-12.
Thank you!
We're grateful for your heart to minister to children. We pray that this resource will help you effectively communicate the gospel to the kids you work with. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about using Good Soil resources.
The Bible's BIG Story PowerPoint CD
The Bible's BIG Story PowerPoint CD contains three PowerPoint presentations of the Bible's story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation:
20 Events - to use with short presentations and The Story of Hope Condensed.
40 Events - to use with medium-length presentations and The Story of Hope.
100 Events - to use with more extended presentations of the Bible's BIG Story.
Each Bible event is beautifully illustrated with an image from the Good Soil Redemptive Art Series. Also, included in each presentation are slides of Bible maps and the Chronological Bridge to Life.
Sample Old Testament Images
Eve and serpent in Eden
Abraham & Isaac
Sacrifice of lamb at altar in front of tabernacle
Sample New Testament Images
John the Baptist
Resurrection of Jesus
Believers in heaven - around Jesus - the rapture scene
Susan, Lakeport, CAWe used the PowerPoint in our AWANA council time! It has been wonderful to use such good quality and well-planned lessons.
The Bible's Big Story Teaching Visuals
The Bible's BIG Story Teaching Visuals - Set of 105
Set of 105 laminated, double-sided teaching visuals for teaching the Bible's redemptive story, from Genesis through Revelation.
13.5" x 10.75" laminated printed teaching visuals. Key Bible event content on the back, event image on the front. 105 teaching visuals, 50 Old Testament, and 50 New Testament, plus five that work especially for ministry with Muslims. Great for teaching kids (and, adults too!) the BIG Story of the Bible that begins in Genesis and culminates in Revelation. Same images and key content as the Chronological Bible Cards—essentially big versions of those pocket-size cards. See below.
Chronological Bible Cards: Genesis — Revelation
ChronoBible Cards: Genesis-Revelation
A complete set of 135 pocket-size cards (4.5" x 3.375") for learning and reviewing the content and chronology of the Bible's Big Story.
Pocket-size cards for learning and reviewing 100 key Bible events as they appear chronologically from Genesis through Revelation. Each Bible event card contains an image from the Good Soil Redemptive Story art collection on the front and key content information on the back. 25 major Bible era cards and 10 Chronological Bridge to Life cards included.
Kari, missionary in a Muslim-majority restricted access country in AfricaI wanted to pass on to your team how helpful the Bible Teaching Visuals have been. I have used them many times for children's programs. I taught Sunday School today. The program the international church uses does not have any visuals for the children. Each week they just listen to the story. Today, I picked out cards that mostly reflected certain parts of the story I wanted to tell. It was AMAZING how attentive the children were when I would hold up the cards. They were in awe at the beauty and colors, but more importantly it visually reinforced what I was sharing from the Bible. One little girl said of one of the Heaven cards, “It is just so beautiful!” We know our human minds cannot yet grasp the beauty of Heaven, but how special to know that the artist was gifted in such a way to help a group of 6-8 year old children grasp the gift of eternal life.
Hooks for Hanging the Bible’s Storyline
Teach Children—in just a few hours—to be able to think their way through the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation. Every movie or novel has a central storyline, a plot. Elementary students can learn the BIG storyline of the Bible, using 25 “Hooks”—major eras of the Bible.
The activities for teaching Hooks are FUN for students of all ages, even the teachers.
And there are FREE instructional helps.
A great set of resources for use in your ministry with children.
The 12 "Hooks" for Hanging the Old Testament Storyline
The 1 + 12 "Hooks" for Hanging the New Testament Storyline
Ariel, Filipino visiting in New JerseyMy latest Hooks for Hanging the Bible’s Storyline workshop was last Saturday in a Bible study in the home of the owner of Sam Ash Music Stores in Bayonne, NJ. Several very diverse cultures were represented in the group (Filipino, Russian, German, American, African, Hispanic, Arab, and Jewish). They were amazed and enjoyed it - and everyone understood. Some said, “I finally got it!” “I’ll read my Bible again.”
Chronological Bridge to Life
Teach kids the BIG Story of the Bible, based upon eight key concepts that emerge chronologically from Genesis through Revelation:
- God
- Man
- Sin
- Death
- Christ
- Cross
- Faith
- Life
A walk through the Chronological Bridge to Life
Mary Lou, New Port Richey, FLAt our Bible camp we teach the Chronological Bridge to Life to our cabin leaders and counselors. They use it as a framework to lead children to Christ.
Matt and Jessica, pre-field missionaries to ChileWe used the Chronological Bridge to Life as a 5 day Vacation Bible School. We focused on two parts of the bridge each day and used ”God’s Big Story” and ”the Chrono Bridge Song” as our theme songs for the week. The PowerPoint pictures made great posters for the church and we used the “Kids Sing Story of Hope” CD for music. Later, Jessica used the same colorful posters and song to teach the ChronoBridge in elementary chapel.
Reflections from God’s Story of Hope
Reflections unfolds the storyline of the Bible through 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament events—from Genesis through Revelation.
- 100 key Bible events organized by 25 major Bible eras.
- 100 full-page Bible event images.
- More than 200 pages, 9" x 12".
- A Bible storybook for all—adults, children, Christians, or non-Christians.
$20 in Quantities of Eight or More - $40 for One Book, $30 each for Two. An excellent gift to give your clients!
Reflections - The Audio Experience
Reflections - The Audio Experience
Professional recordings of all 100 narratives from the book, Reflections From God's Story of Hope.
MP3 files on a flash drive
Watch a (2:36) video to see how the Reflections - The Audio Experience audio stories are correlated with the printed and visually illustrated stories in the Reflections from God's Story of Hope coffee table storybook, as well as The Bible's BIG Story Teaching Visuals.
Mary Lou, New Port Richey, FLI love the audio Bible stories with sound effects. Can't wait to get the thumb drive with the files!
Mobile Apps - for Android & Apple
For you to use in your ministry and to encourage those to whom you are ministering to load on their own mobile devices. Great way to teach and review the events of the Bible's BIG Story and the eight chronological Bible concepts.
The Roots of Faith Bible Courses
Chronological Bible curriculum, unfolding the BIG Story of the Bible in 100 events and packed with FUN learning activities.
The Roots of Faith Bible courses were created for high school and adult students. But, these courses have been used effectively with upper elementary students too. The workbooks and most of the teaching-learning activities can be used with elementary students, for sure.
Even if you do not use the workbooks in teaching The Roots of Faith to kids, if you attend The Roots of Faith courses, you will find it relatively easy to take what you learn back to your children's ministry. A complete Instructor's Guide and access to the online Instructor's Resource Center is available for both courses.
Upper elementary kids can learn…
- Much of the key content in the Old and New Testaments.
- The chronology of 25 major Bible eras and 100 key Bible events.
- The geographic locations of many places here Bible events occurred.
- The BIG Story of the Bible and how it progresses from Genesis through Revelation.
Great opportunity for YOU to study the Bible in a way that will equip you to be a better Bible teacher.
How can you be certified to teach The Roots of Faith Courses?
Option One: Participate in The Roots of Faith Courses
Image of a TROF OT Class at ABWE - FUN Learning
Image of a TROF NT Class at ABWE - Interactive & Engaging Learning
Or, Option Two: Purchase The Roots of Faith Instructor’s Kits
Provisional Certification
Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship Basic Seminar and Trainer Certification
Three days in May and October
In order to use Good Soil E&D resources most effectively, we recommend our Good Soil training programs.
Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship Basic Seminar
Two Days in May and October
Learn to share the gospel, God’s story of hope, in a way that people will clearly understand it, sincerely embrace it, and hold fast to it.
The top ten takeaways from Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship training:
- Learn how to initiate conversations that open up to unobtrusive opportunities to share the gospel.
- Learn how to determine where a person is on his/her level of understanding of the gospel and receptivity to knowing more about salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Learn how to present the truth of the gospel in a way that it isn't misunderstood by the person with whom you are sharing, regardless of his/her religious worldview.
- Learn how to share God's story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation, so that the recipient will understand the Biblical context for the good news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.
- Learn how to present the gospel, using the Chronological Bridge to Life.
- Learn how to share the gospel, using your own faith story.
- Learn a variety of ways to use The Story of Hope, in evangelism, with confidence.
- Learn how to use The Way to Joy, in discipling believers who are still weak in their faith.
- Learn about a wide variety of evangelism and discipleship resources that you may find to be helpful in your ministry.
- Learn to teach others what you have learned about evangelism and discipleship, and train them to do what you have learned to do through the training you have received.
Always, engaging, interactive, and FUN learning.
Moving Beyond Lecture Workshop
Two Days in October
As a teacher, regardless of what or where or whom you teach, you will love and appreciate this workshop! You will learn to become a more creative facilitator of interactive teaching and training.
It will enhance your ability to teach children, beyond what you can probably imagine. You will…
- Learn a seven-step process for developing lessons for teaching and training.
- Enlarge your teaching toolbox with lots of creative techniques and tips for teaching.
- Become more sensitive to classroom factors that can enhance your teaching-learning environment.
- Engage your students more actively and make learning FUN for them.
- Become much more confident in your teaching.
BibleStorying Workshop
Two Days in May
One of the keys to effective Bible teaching with children is telling Bible stories so that historical Bible events “come alive” in the minds of the kids who hear them!
This BibleStorying (Bible story telling) workshop will enhance your skills as a Bible story teller and teacher. You will learn lots of tips and techniques for improving your ability to tell Bible stories that will gain and hold student interest. And, you will learn about—and practice using—several Good Soil Bible teaching resources.
- Day One: How to Learn Bible Stories
- Day Two: How to Tell Bible Stories
FREE Book for Leaders of Ministries to Children
Gaining Ground with Good Soil is an evangelism and discipleship training narrative—a scaled-down version of the Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship seminar in a narrative format. The principles gained from this book are applicable for anyone wishing to serve God through Biblical evangelism and discipleship, but is especially instructive and helpful for ministry leaders, including leaders of ministries to children.
The realistic, but fictional narrative, around which the book is developed, tells the story of a couple of missionaries who were frustrated and discouraged—to the point of almost giving up—because of their lack of success in evangelism and discipleship on their field. But, the "Good Soil" principles they learned from Bible study revolutionized their ministries. It will help you think through a theology of evangelism and discipleship and help you to present the gospel so that people will clearly understand it, sincerely embrace it, and firmly hold on to it.
Free instructional resources for individual and group study are also available for download. www.GoodSoil.com/FREE
If you are an official leader of ministry with children, with a USA shipping address, and will commit to reading this book, we will send you a FREE (and postage-free) copy of Gaining Ground with Good Soil.
More Good Soil Resources for Evangelism and Discipleship
Good Soil provides an entire toolbox of resources for ministry with children.
For a complete overview of our Good Soil resources:
Good Soil Stories from Children’s Ministries
Basic Discipleship: Holding New Believers' Hands Through First Steps: 7th Essential for a TRULY Evangelistic Church
If your church doesn’t provide “first steps” hand-holding with baby Christians, it’s likely that many or most of them will stumble right out the back door.
Read more
Teaching and Training
Engaging Kids in Bible Learning
Three of my “all-boy” great nephews and their sister grabbed their jackets and tore out the door, unusually eager to get to church for the Purim party their teacher had promised. Ages 12, 10, 9 and 7, they enthusiastically participated in the special activities. They had been captivated by their teacher’s message and methods and entered the party atmosphere wholeheartedly. Mothers on the sidelines commented, “We can’t get our children this motivated!” Yes, children can be captivated by the messages of the Bible, when connected to methods that fully engage them in the learning process.
Read more
Stories
A Child's View of the Sufferings of Jesus
Karen Weitzel, who adapted The Story of Hope for kids, said that her sister showed her youngest grandson The Story of Hope--Kids and talked to him about some of the pictures. Ephraim said the “grossest “ picture in The Story of Hope--Kids was #20 which represents the prophecies of the Messiah. He didn’t like seeing Jesus being whipped.
Read more
Stories
Grandfather Teaches His Grandson the "BIG Story" of the Bible
I have been using Good Soil materials since being introduced to them in 2005. Over the years, the Lord has allowed me to disciple over 20 individuals using these resources. This past year was one of the most gratifying and rewarding experiences doing so. My daughter homeschools her three boys and requested that I teach them their Bible class. I agreed and immediately thought of using The Story of Hope. I decided to use the Story of Hope Kids edition as it seemed like the perfect opportunity to disciple my grandsons.
Read more
