Explore it 2021
Children's Discipleship Material - for Small Groups
For ages 7-12
Explore It is designed for children’s ministry leaders working with groups of children.
Below are the resources created for 2021. For guidance and the latest resources please visit the main Explore it page.
Explore it
The latest discipleship resources for small groups.
Session 1 – God's invitation (Luke 15:1-7 The lost sheep)
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – God's choice (Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son)
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 2 - Good or Bad Choices
Good or Bad Choices
Session 3 – God's gift (Luke 22:14-20 The Lord’s supper)
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – God's grace (Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus)
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Jan 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 - Healthy me (Luke 2:21-40 Jesus presented in the Temple)
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 - Healthy soul (Luke 4:1-13 Jesus in the wilderness)
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 2 - Bible Verses
Bible Verses
Session 3 - Healthy mind (Luke 4:38-44 Jesus heals many)
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Healthy response (Luke 5:12-16 Jesus heals a man with leprosy)
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Feb 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
This month we are recommending that each child has access to a Bible.
Session 1 – God has a plan - an action story (Luke 5:17-26 Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man)
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Mother's Day - a love story
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Living for Jesus - a mystery story (Matthew 10:1-16 Jesus sends out the Twelve)
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Palm Sunday - an inspirational story (Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus comes to Jerusalem as King)
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
Leaders Guide
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - March 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
This month we have five sessions, the first session being an optional Good Friday session.
Session 1 – Good Friday (Mark 15:33-41 The death of Jesus)
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Easter Sunday (Matthew 28:1-10 Jesus has risen)
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Eyes wide open (Luke 24:13-35 The road to Emmaus)
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Lots of questions (John 20:24-29 Jesus appears to Thomas)
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 5 – A new opportunity (John 21:15-19 Jesus reinstates Peter)
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 5 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - April 2021 session 5 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - April session 5 - For Me 2021
For Me
For session five, you may wish to invite your corps leaders along to share together about what is important in your corps/church.
Session 1 – Doing what God wants (Matthew 6:25-34 Don’t worry)
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – God is working in the waiting (Acts 1:1-14 Jesus ascends to Heaven)
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Be willing (Luke 22:39-46 Jesus prays alone)
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – Pentecost (Acts 2:1–17 Guided by the Holy Spirit)
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 5 - Trust in Christ (Acts 2:42-47 The believers share)
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 5 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 5 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - May 2021 session 5 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – Who's 'got your back’? (Acts 9:19b-31; Acts 11:19-30 Paul and Barnabas)
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Friends together (Acts 15:40; 16:16–40 Paul and Silas)
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Thanking Fathers (Acts 16:1-5; Philippians 2:19–24; 2 Timothy 1:1-7 Paul encourages Timothy)
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – Influencers (1 Timothy 4:11–16 Paul’s advice to Timothy)
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - June 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – I will be with you (Exodus 3 Moses and the burning bush)
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – A gentle whisper (1 Kings 19 The Lord appears to Elijah)
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – For just such a time as this (Esther 4 Mordecai persuades Esther to help)
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 – I called to the Lord (Jonah 1 Jonah flees from the Lord)
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - July 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – They follow him because they know his voice (John 10 (selected verses) The good shepherd and his sheep)
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – I saw the Lord (John 20:1-18 Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene)
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – I have chosen Saul for an important work (Acts 9:1-19 Saul is converted)
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 3 - Leaders
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 3 - Me
For Me
Session 4 – We sat down and talked to them (Acts 16:6-15 Lydia becomes a Christian in Philippi)
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 4 - Leaders
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Aug 2021 session 4 - Me
For Me
For the next few months, For Me and Together are part of the Leader’s Guide.
Please note: In Session Four we will be looking at practical actions we can take to care for creation and address climate change. The Great Big Green Week, organised by The Climate Coalition (of which The Salvation Army is a member organisation) is taking place from 18-26 September 2021.
You may want to get involved in a local event or organise your own. If so, you may want to introduce this idea to the group in an early session so you can plan something in plenty of time.
Children
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
STEWARDSHIP - WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS
Genesis 1:31; 2:15
Children
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
THE SALVATION ARMY - IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROJECTS
Matthew 25:35-40
Children
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Colossians 1:15-20
The importance of Christ
Children
Explore It - Sept 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
SHOWING LOVE TO THE WORLD
James 2:14-17
Faith and Good Works
Children
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
A CALL TO GLOBAL JUSTICE
Isaiah 58:6-8; Micah 6:8
Children
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
CLEAN WATER AND GENDER JUSTICE
John 4:4-42
Jesus and a Samaritan Woman
Children
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
FOOD SECURITY AND INCOME GENERATION
Acts 2:42-47; 4:32
The believers share
Children
Explore It - Oct 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
ANTI-TRAFFICKING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
1 John 3:1
We are God’s children
Session 1 – Trusting God in tricky times (Genesis 37; 39:1-6 Joseph is sold)
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Session 2 – Overcoming temptation (Genesis 39:6b-23 Joseph is put into prison)
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – The power of forgiveness (Genesis 45:1-28 Joseph reveals who he is)
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Nov 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 1 – Hope (Isaiah 9:2-7 A new day is coming)
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - For Me
For Me
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Bible Verses
For the Bible promises jar/envelope activity
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 1 - Bible References
For the Bible promises jar/envelope activity
Session 2 – Faith (Luke 1:26-38 The Virgin Mary)
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 2 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 2 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 2 - For Me
For Me
Session 3 – Peace (Luke 2:8-20 Some shepherds hear about Jesus)
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 3 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 3 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 3 - For Me
For Me
Session 4 - Joy (Luke 2:15-20; Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 Wise men come to visit Jesus)
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 4 - Leaders Guide
For Leaders
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 4 - Together
Together
Children
Explore It - Christmas 2021 session 4 - For Me
For Me
Other useful links
Discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together. Now available: June 2024 and Light Guides for younger children.
Discover a range of resources designed to inspire children and equip them to be disciples of Jesus.
Compelling small group (previously known as Cell Outlines) Bible study resources for ages 12-25
