By Taylor Warren
Optional Kids Practice
Invite kids in your group to be with the adults for a few minutes. Once they seem ready to engage, do this simple Scripture practice and then ask them the following prompt.
Now, we are going to take a moment to read Scripture over you.
Read a few of the passages aloud, adding the names of kids in your group.
For God so loved ____ , that he gave his only Son, that if ____ believes in him, ____ will not perish but have eternal life. John 3v16
If ____ calls on the name of the Lord, he will be saved. Romans 10v13
For God has not given ___ a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind. 2 Timothy 1v7
Blessed be the God and Father of ____’s Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed ____ in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1v3
This is the word of the Lord to _____: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4v6
God loves each of you and wants to speak to you through the Bible.
- How did it feel when I read your name in Scripture?
During this series, help the kids practice their memory verse for January and February.
The January memory verse for preschoolers: “A friend loves you all the time.” Proverbs 17v17, NCV
The January memory verse for elementary school kids: “Be strong, all you who put their hope in the Lord. Never give up.” Psalm 31v24, NIRV
Begin with prayer
Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting. Take a moment in silence, in the presence of Jesus and each other. Have one person read Psalm 8 over the group and then pray to ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together.
Debrief the most recent teaching
- What did you take away from the most recent teaching, and how has it added to what God is doing in your life?
- Did you listen to the lectionary this week? What was that experience like?
Read this overview
Biblical theology is the study of the overarching story of Scripture, tracing how God’s revelation unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. Rather than viewing the Bible as a collection of isolated books or verses, biblical theology seeks to understand how different passages, covenants, and events contribute to the larger narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. While biblical theology sounds like a fancy, confusing topic, it’s a way that we can open our eyes to see the Scriptures in a deeper and fuller way.
At its core, biblical theology means reading Scripture in light of Scripture—allowing the Bible to interpret itself. Instead of taking a single verse out of context, it involves examining how that verse fits within the immediate passage, how it connects to broader biblical themes, and how it relates to the entire redemptive story God is telling. This approach highlights the unity of the Bible, revealing patterns, connections, and theological truths that deepen our understanding of God’s purposes.
A key aspect of biblical theology is recognizing that the whole Bible tells one continuous story—God’s plan to redeem and restore the world through Jesus Christ. Jesus stands at the center of this story, fulfilling God’s plan and bringing the Old Testament promises to completion in the New Testament. By reading the Bible through a biblical lens, we move beyond seeing it as a collection of disconnected stories and instead grasp its unified message. This approach not only deepens our knowledge of Scripture but also strengthens our faith as we see how all of history points to God’s redemptive work in Christ.
Extra Resources:
Read: From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology by T. Desmond Alexander
Watch: Theme Videos from BibleProject
Discuss the following prompts
- How does the idea of reading the Bible through the lens of the Bible strike you? Does it sound easy? Is it something you already do, or does it seem more confusing?
- How do you choose what Scripture you read each day? Do you follow a plan, choose randomly, and trace themes?
- Does reading the Lectionary make themes clearer to you? What themes are you seeing in this week’s readings?
Practicing right now:
If your group has time, choose a verse or passage to memorize together. Read the verse out loud 3 times.
When we commit Scripture to memory, it deepens our trust in the Father, allowing His Word to come from our hearts rather than just our minds. Memorization makes meditation more natural, making His Word always within reach, even when a Bible is not. It shapes our perspective, renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with His. It becomes a shield, guarding us against deception and equipping us to stand firm against the lies of the enemy.
Discuss ideas for helping each other memorize the Scripture this week. For example, make it the screensaver of your phone, memorize a few words each day, sing a song, or use hand actions to go along with the verses.
The following are some different sections of Scripture that could be good for memorization:
Matthew 5v1-12
Psalm 8
Isaiah 58v9-10
Psalm 31v24 (Kids memory verse)
Proverbs 17v17 (Kids memory verse)
Practicing this week:
The Practice this week is to read the Lectionary and choose an additional verse or passage to memorize. Consider how this verse plays into the larger context of Scripture, its significance to you, and different situations in which you think it could be helpful to be able to recite the verse.
Be prepared to discuss it with your Community next week.
Close in prayer
End by having someone pray over the group. Read Psalm 8 one more time to end your time of prayer.