One Year Preteen Curriculum: Image Bearers Edition

Get a full year of preteen ministry curriculum designed to help 4th-6th graders own their faith and follow Jesus with confidence.

Built specifically for the in-between years, this curriculum meets preteens where they are and helps them take meaningful next steps with God. 

Each series is rooted in the truth that preteens are made in His image, deeply loved, and called to reflect Him in their everyday lives.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• 12 full preteen series (11 core series + 1 expanded series from Deeply Rooted)
• A full year of teaching mapped out and ready to go
• Engaging games, Biblical teaching, small group activities, and small group discussions in every lesson

Less scrambling. More intentional ministry.

Some weeks you’ve got it all together. Other weeks … not so much. This curriculum is built for both.

Instead of starting from scratch every week, you’ll have a clear plan – so you can spend less time stressing over what to teach and more time investing in your students.

Designed for real preteens.

4th-6th graders are asking bigger questions, forming their identity, and starting to take ownership of their faith. This year’s curriculum helps them discover what it means to be an image bearer – someone who reflects God in both identity and action. Each series is crafted to:

• Help them understand Scripture in a deeper way
  
• Encourage honest conversations in small groups
• Move faith from something they hear about… to something they live

Heads up: This curriculum is released throughout the year, with new series delivered monthly. 

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE LESSON

View a sample of a lesson from The Disciples IRL series here. 

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

We recommend you use the following series as detailed below. However, they're totally flexible to use whenever you want.

The Image Bearers Edition is currently in development. New series release dates are listed alongside the series titles. Graphics will be added as series release. 



Use in April (Available Now)
The Disciples IRL: This 4-week series teaches preteens how Jesus patiently shapes imperfect people into image bearers who reflect His character in everyday life.

Use in May (Available April 20)
Best Story Ever: This 4-week series shows preteens that the Bible tells the story of Yahweh Rohi's love, grace, and redemption through Jesus Christ … and it's the best story ever! (This series is from the Deeply Rooted Curriculum.)

Use in June (Available May 20)
Salty: This 4-week summer series on the book of Jonah teaches preteens how God calls His people to reflect His heart by seeing others the way He does.

Use in July (Available June 20)
The Extra Mile: This 4-week summer series teaches preteens how to love others in practical, unexpected ways by choosing kindness, generosity, and service, even when it's not easy.

Use in August (Available July 20)
Never Alone: This 4-week back to school series teaches preteens how knowing God's character gives them confidence, courage, and security as they face a new season.

Use in September (Available August 20)
Truth Be Told: This 4-week series teaches preteens how to recognize God's truth and reject the lies that shape their thoughts, choices, and identity.

Use in October (Available September 20)
Unplugged: This 4-week series teaches preteens how to wisely engage with technology by choosing connection with God and others over constant digital distraction.

Use in November (Available October 20)
Speak Life: This 4-week Thanksgiving series teaches preteens how to use their words to build others up, reflect God's heart, and express gratitude.

Use in December (Available November 20)
The Great Advent(ure): This 4-week series brings preteens closer to Jesus as they explore the traditions and symbolism of the Advent season.  

Use in January (Available December 20)
Level Up: This 4-week New Year's series teaches preteens how to grow their faith through spiritual habits and live fully committed to God.

Use in February (Available January 20)
The Jesus Way: This 4-week series teaches preteens how to treat others with love, respect, and empathy by living out Jesus's call to care for one another.

Use in March (Available February 20)
Made New: This 4-week Easter series teaches preteens how Jesus's resurrection gives us new life and a new identity as God's image bearers.

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM

EVERYTHING IS DOWNLOADABLE. After purchase, you'll immediately be directed to a download page AND get an email that includes a link to download all the resources. The bundle is only available as a downloadable product.  

LESSONS COME IN PDF & WORD format so you can edit as needed and share with volunteers.  

EACH LESSON INCLUDES:

• A fun opening game
• Creative teaching
• Engaging small group activities and discussion questions.

Although the lessons aren't meant to be read word for word (we encourage you to make it your own), included is a detailed script for leaders to follow. 

PRETEEN TARGETED. Our curriculum is preteen targeted. Our team knows preteens and what makes them tick. Every single lesson is written with the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental development of 4th-6th graders in mind.

SERIES ARTWORK includes cover image for promotional use, blank text image for making your own presentation slides, and social media artwork.

ALL OUR RESOURCES ARE WRITTEN BY PRETEEN LEADERS like you who have a heart to see God move in the lives of students.  

OUR STUFF IS TOP NOTCH. We don't just throw together an outline and sell it to you. Our team, who has been creating 4th-6th grade curriculum since 2010, puts a lot of time and effort creating quality lessons that are jam-packed with more than enough teaching material.

OUR PRETEEN CURRICULUM IS FOR:

• Big or Small Preteen Ministry: We write our curriculum for both big and small preteen ministries. Whatever the size of your group, you can edit as needed to fit the needs of your preteen ministry.
  
• All Denominations (and Non-Denominations): All our lessons are theologically broad enough for all church denominations (and non-denominations). We stay central to the core truths of Christianity and don't focus on denominational differences.
  
• Sunday School or Small Groups: Does your church have an active Sunday School program? Our curriculum is a good fit for you. If your group has more than 12 preteens, then use our curriculum as a tool to disciple them in a small group setting.
  
  

WHAT MAKES OUR PRETEEN CURRICULUM UNIQUE?

Preteens are unique. They need—and deserve—their own ministry curriculum. 

Here are 5 important ways our custom curriculum meets preteen needs:  

1) Preteens are beginning to think for themselves.  

As younger kids, they simply accepted a lot as “truth”. Now, they’re asking questions and considering things from multiple angles. This new questioning nature can naturally extend to matters of faith.

This questioning is good! It’s healthy. Preteens need support to work through their questions and arrive at an authentic, deeply rooted faith.

2) Preteens are in transition from childhood to adolescence.  

No longer kids, preteens are still not quite teenagers. They're constantly developing, always in transition. And the change pervades all the areas of their lives: cognitive, physical, social, emotional and—importantly—spiritual.

The changes can be as rapid as they are profound. Excellent preteen ministry curriculum respects and embraces this reality.

3) Preteens want to "own" their relationship with Jesus.  

Yes, it is possible for preteens to “own” their relationship with Jesus. They’re ready and willing!

They can notice God’s action in their own lives. They can develop habits of prayer, worship, and Bible reading. In short, they are equipped to nurture their own relationship with God. They are ready to “own” it.

4) Preteens need a coach, not just a teacher.

As ministry leaders, we must foster an environment for God to move in the lives of preteens. In this respect, our role is less like a teacher, and more like a coach.

Many preteen ministry leaders think of themselves as teachers, imparting information, helping their students to “get it”. And teaching is part of the job, to be sure. But it’s just the beginning of the job.

A coach guides and encourages. They equip others for success. Ultimately, however, a coach sits on the sidelines. It is the players who must put all the coaching and the teaching into action.

And they will make mistakes. So the coaching continues, and over time the preteen grows into an adult who can act as their own coach.

5) Preteens learn by doing.  

How often do you hear people gush over the impressive listening skills of preteens? The fact is that preteens learn much better by doing than by listening.

Preteens love to play games, use their hands, feel the rush of surprise and action. To be really open to any process, it helps for preteens to feel that they are a part of it from beginning to end.

Our preteen curriculum is loaded with fun-tested games and hands-on activities that feed the restless and active preteen spirit.