Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Lesson Overview
A child who cannot yet read can still hear the Bible’s good news. Paul reminds Timothy of the Scriptures he has known since infancy, then shows why he should keep learning from them.
Passage
2 Timothy 3:14–17
Focus statement
God gives Scripture to lead us to salvation through faith in Jesus and to prepare us for good works, so we should keep learning and living by His Word.
Age-focused objective
Unfold three connected panels to explain that Scripture leads us to trust Jesus for salvation and teaches those who trust Him to do good.
Memory verse
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is profitable for teaching,
for rebuking, for correcting,
for training in righteousness,
Before learners arrive
Read Teacher preparation and 2 Timothy 3:10–17. Print Printable Resources single-sided at actual size: pages 1 and 3 for display, page 2 for each child plus one sample, and one Parent take-home per child. Have an open Bible, crayons, a tray and a scrap of paper for memory recall. Before class an adult cuts only page 2’s solid outer rectangle; keep all three panels joined. Make one sample with the captions upright: draw a book, a cross and sharing hands; fold the right panel behind the middle, then the left over the middle, and reopen. No glue is needed. Leave the children’s strips unfolded. Practise the demonstration with your helper and agree how to distribute strips, steady folds and listen to children explain grace and good works.
How the lesson unfolds
Transition — 5 minutes
Recall God’s trustworthy Word and introduce Timothy’s letter.
Lesson — 20 minutes
Keep learning; follow Scripture to Jesus; receive teaching for good works. Practise 2 Timothy 3:16.
Application — 12 minutes
Draw, fold and unfold the three connected panels to explain grace and obedience.
Prayer — 8 minutes
Thank God for Scripture and pray for one another’s learning and faithful response.
Transition — 5 minutes
Hold your Bible open. If the children were present for Psalm 19, invite one remembered detail. Supply the connection for everyone: creation shows God’s great work, and Scripture gives His trustworthy teaching.
Hold up page 1. Point to the boy at the scroll and introduce young Timothy, his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Invite the children to notice how he can learn while someone reads to him.
Ask “Can someone learn from the Bible before they can read it for themselves?”
Listen for Yes. Someone can read and explain it to them.
If needed Open your Bible and say, “You can listen while I read. What are you using to hear?” Accept a word, gesture or attentive listening.
Today we will hear part of a letter. Paul wrote it to Timothy, who helped people learn about Jesus. Timothy was grown up when he received the letter, but Paul remembered something that began when Timothy was very small.
Lesson — 20 minutes
Interactive Bible teaching — 15 minutes. Use the 15 minutes across the three connected points, giving the longer explanation the time it needs. Include the readings and questions; give children thinking time and hear more than the quickest answer.
1.Keep learning the Scriptures
Use Timothy learning picture and sequence, page 1. Point to Timothy and the scroll. Explain that this reminds us of his childhood learning; Paul’s letter was written when Timothy was an adult.
Read Paul’s encouragement as one connected sentence. Explain that sacred Scriptures means the holy writings God has given.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois trusted God. He had been learning Scripture since he was little. They did not have a printed Bible just like this one: Paul was still writing this letter! Timothy had learned from the Scriptures we call the Old Testament. Those writings prepared people to understand God’s promised Saviour. Now Paul tells him to keep going with what he has learned. A difficult day or a different opinion does not make God’s truth stop being true.
Ask Paul tells the grown-up Timothy to continue. Why should he keep learning Scripture when he has heard it for years?
Listen for God’s teaching remains true and needed; knowing familiar words does not mean we have nothing more to learn.
If needed Point to “continue” in verse 14. Explain that it means keep going with the truth. Then ask, “If Timothy meets a difficult question, should he leave Scripture behind or return to it? Why?” Accept a brief reason.
Paul now explains where this trustworthy teaching leads: to a Saviour.
2.Scripture leads us to trust Jesus
Use Fold and explain strip, page 2. Show your unfolded sample and point to the middle caption, “Trust Jesus for salvation”. Ask children to listen for who saves us.
Point again to the last part of verse 15 in the reading above. Leave page 1’s three-panel sequence visible; touch its middle panel, “Trust Jesus for salvation”.
Salvation means being rescued from our sin and its judgment. We have disobeyed God and cannot make ourselves right with Him. The Bible tells us that Jesus, God’s Son, became truly human and lived without sin. He died bearing the punishment of sinners and rose again; His body was alive. Forgiveness is God’s gift, which we cannot earn. We need Him to forgive and rescue us. Paul does not say that knowing lots of Bible facts saves us. Scripture gives us wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Faith means trusting Jesus Himself. A very young listener needs the same Saviour as a teacher who knows many verses.
Give a quiet moment for thought. Invite children to ask about Jesus or seek help after the lesson; do not require a public profession or a repeated prayer.
Ask A child knows many Bible verses. Does that knowledge pay for forgiveness? Who must we trust?
Listen for No. Scripture tells us about Jesus, who died for sinners and rose again. We rely on Him for salvation, not on our knowledge.
If needed Touch the middle panel on page 2. Say, “The Bible makes the Saviour known; Jesus is the One who saves.” Then ask, “Could a child who needs help remembering still turn to Jesus? Why?” Listen for dependence on Jesus rather than performance.
The Saviour’s gift does not leave us without direction. God’s Word teaches His people a new way to live.
3.God’s Word prepares us to do good
Use Remember God’s word poster, page 3. Point to “inspired by God” and then the teaching/correction phrases. These words explain why Scripture can prepare us for good works.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Scripture comes from God. People wrote its words, and God gave us His true message through them. That is why it is useful. It teaches us what is true. It shows us where we are wrong and how to turn from wrong. It trains us to live God’s way. Imagine a child who takes someone’s crayon and pretends it is their own. God’s Word does more than tell me to hold a Bible nicely. It shows that stealing and lying are wrong. The child needs to tell the truth, return what was taken and ask forgiveness. God’s teaching prepares His people to do good.
Explain that Paul is preparing Timothy for his work as a teacher, and the same God-given Scripture teaches all of us. Boys and girls can hear, trust and learn from it.
Ask Someone says, “I will do enough good things to buy Jesus’ forgiveness.” What needs putting right?
Listen for Forgiveness is God’s gift through Jesus. Scripture teaches those who trust Him to do good; good works do not buy rescue.
If needed Trace page 2 from “Trust Jesus for salvation” to “Learn to do good”. Explain grace as a gift we have not earned. Then ask, “Why should someone Jesus has forgiven learn to tell the truth?” Listen for a grateful response to Him, not payment.
Remember with understanding — 5 minutes
Display page 3, “Remember God’s word”. Read the complete verse below, pointing to the corresponding printed lines on the poster.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is profitable for teaching,
for rebuking, for correcting,
for training in righteousness,
Explain inspired by God as coming from God, profitable as useful, rebuking as showing what is wrong, correcting as putting it right, and training in righteousness as learning to live God’s way. Echo these four phrases: “All Scripture is inspired by God”; “and is profitable for teaching”; “for rebuking, for correcting”; “for training in righteousness”. Say the whole verse and “2 Timothy 3:16” together. Keep the words visible for this first practice; then use the short covered-phrase recall below. The verse ends with a comma because Paul’s sentence continues into verse 17.
Ask “Why can Scripture teach and correct us?”
Listen for It comes from God, who speaks truth.
If needed Point to the poster’s first phrase and invite children to complete “inspired by …”. Supply “God” if needed.
Try remembering: Cover only “inspired by God” on page 3. Begin “All Scripture is…” and allow a supported answer. Uncover it, say the complete verse and reference together, and ask, “Whose true message makes Scripture dependable?” Supply help without a solo test.
Application — 12 minutes
The joined strip keeps salvation and good works in their proper relationship. Its folds organise an explanation; opening paper does not cause faith. You and your helper listen during making as well as the final explanation. Ask the question below while children work, hear children you have not yet heard, and offer help with the actual operation.
Demonstrate and distribute — 2 minutes
Show the whole operation before giving out materials. Hold the page 2 strip with its captions upright. Read the three captions from left to right. Draw a simple open book in the first space, a cross in the second, and sharing hands in the third. Fold the right panel behind the middle along the dashed line; fold the left panel over the middle along the other dashed line. Open both folds and trace the three parts again.
Give each child one prepared strip and crayons. Read “Hear God’s Scripture”, “Trust Jesus for salvation” and “Learn to do good”, touching each panel.
Make and explore — 7 minutes
- Invite an open-book drawing in the first space and a simple cross in the second. Explain that the cross reminds us of Jesus’ saving death, and that He rose again.
- In the last space, children choose one loving action to draw, such as sharing a crayon or helping put materials away. They may explain a simple mark rather than produce a detailed picture.
- Help children make the two alternating folds you demonstrated. They then open the strip in front of a neighbour and point through the three parts as you read the captions again.
Keep all three panels attached. Help with the folds while the child makes the drawings. Do not add separate work for children who read or ask anyone to copy a sentence. Use your example if a child’s strip is unfinished.
While children work, ask this question and help them try the explanation again:
Ask “Point to the middle panel. Why do we need Jesus?”
Listen for He rescues sinners; we need His forgiveness, received through faith in Him.
If needed Touch the cross reminder. Say, “Jesus died for sinners and rose again. Can our drawings forgive us?” Then return to Jesus as Saviour.
Explain and respond — 2 minutes
Invite neighbours to take turns showing and explaining their work. Use your sample if work is unfinished. Give a child time to point and speak; you and your helper listen for the connection to Scripture.
Ask “Point to your last panel. What is the place of doing good?”
Listen for God teaches His people to live for Him; good works do not purchase salvation.
If needed Read the last caption aloud. Ask, “Does this say ‘buy forgiveness’ or ‘learn to do good’?” Connect the answer to Scripture teaching and training us.
Clear materials — 1 minute
Put crayons and unused strips in the tray. Keep each child’s folded strip nearby and settle together.
Prayer — 8 minutes
We can speak honestly to God and listen while others pray. Children may pass, ask an adult to pray for them or listen. Speaking aloud is not a test of faith.
Model a prayer — 1 minute
Offer this short prayer for the children to hear:
Father, thank You for Scripture and the Saviour it makes known. Forgive our sins through Jesus. Help us keep learning, receive correction and live in the good ways You teach. Amen.
Hear voluntary requests — 2 minutes
Invite a few brief, voluntary thanks or requests. This is not a round in which everyone must speak. Possible requests include help to understand a verse, tell the truth or share willingly; these are examples, not required disclosures. Do not ask for private wrongs, family details or another person’s story. A child may simply pass.
Pray for one another — 4 minutes
Invite short prayers for the requests freely shared. Give thinking time. Offer “Father, please help…” or “Thank You for…” when a child wants help beginning. No one must take a turn or repeat your words. You and your helper may pray for requests children would like you to carry; if nobody wishes to speak, pray gently for the shared concerns yourself, pausing between them.
Close — 1 minute
Thank God for giving us His Word and for salvation through His Son. Send the work and Parent take-home page with each child; invite them to explain the picture to a parent or caregiver without requiring homework.
After teaching
Listen especially for whether good works were treated as the fruit of grace or the price of forgiveness. Do not infer faith from a correctly ordered strip. Compare what you and your helper heard: what children explained without help, what needed prompting, and what needs teaching again. Keep brief anonymous notes of understanding and actual timings, without recording private disclosures. Finished work, accurate recitation and spoken prayer do not establish faith. If harm is disclosed, listen without investigating or promising secrecy and follow the church’s actual safeguarding arrangements.
At the next meeting: Before showing the strip ask, “Who saves us, and why does God teach us to do good?” Then open the strip to help. Recall “All Scripture is inspired by God” before introducing how God made His word known to Samuel.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.