Explore it 2023
Children's Discipleship Material - for Small Groups
Session Guides for ages 7-12
Explore it is designed for children’s ministry leaders working with groups of children.
Below are the resources created for 2023. For guidance and the latest resources please visit the main Explore it page.
Explore it
The latest discipleship resources for small groups.
One click option! Download all PDF content for January 2023 in one go!
Our first session links with Covenant Sunday (Jan 8). If you would like a session for Dec 31/Jan 1, please use Advent 2022 session 5.
Explore It - Jan 2023 session 1
Covenant Sunday / Travel to follow a star
(Matthew 2:13-23)
Explore It - Jan 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - Jan 2023 session 2
Travelling to safety
(Matthew 2:13-23)
Explore It - Jan 2023 session 2 - Handout
Write your thoughts about having Jesus as your friend and write a prayer for God’s guidance.
Explore It - Jan 2023 session 3
Travel to the Temple
(Luke 2:41-52)
Explore It - Jan 2023 session 4
Travel towards the River Jordan
(Matthew 3:1-6,13-16)
One click option! Download all PDF content for February 2023 in one go!
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 1
God chooses to create the world
(Genesis 1 to 2:3)
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 1 - Memory Verse Poster
This month’s Bible verse on a poster.
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 2
Adam and Eve make a choice
(Genesis 2:7-9,18-23; 3:1-6,12-13,21-23)
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 3
Cain makes a bad choice
(Genesis 4:1-12)
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 4
Noah chooses to follow God’s instructions
(Genesis 6:5-22; 7:13-16; 8:6-11; 9:12-16)
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 4 - Rainbowtastic
Images of unusual rainbows.
Explore It - Feb 2023 session 4 - Rainbowtastic
Images of unusual rainbows.
One click option! Download all PDF content for March 2023 in one go!
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 1
The identity of children and young people
(Matthew 4:1-11)
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 1 - Memory Verse Poster
This month’s Bible verse on a poster.
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 1 - Prayer Prompts
Sentence starts on a poster.
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 2
The identity of Jesus is revealed
(John 2:1-11)
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 3
The identity of four fishermen
(Luke 5:1-11)
Explore It - Mar 2023 session 4
Capernaum confirms Jesus’ identity
(Luke 4:31-44)
One click option! Download all PDF content for April 2023 in one go!
Explore It - April 2023 session 1
The First Palm Sunday
(Mark 11:1-11)
Explore It - April 2023 session 1 - Memory Verse Poster
This month’s Bible verse on a poster.
Explore It - April 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - April 2023 session 1 - Palm Sunday Handout
(Matthew 21:1-11)
Explore It - April 2023 session 1 - Thank You Lord Poster
A prayer prompt.
Explore It - April 2023 session 2
The first Easter
(John 19:38-42; Matthew 28:1-10)
Explore It - April 2023 session 2 - Bible Clues
Investigate four people from the Easter Story.
Explore It - April 2023 session 2 - Prayer Questions
Makes four strips, each with two prayer questions.
Explore It - April 2023 session 3
Jesus and ‘doubting Thomas’
(John 20:19-29)
Explore It - April 2023 session 3 - Questions
Makes eight cards, each with a different question.
Explore It - April 2023 session 3 - Memory Verse Colouring-In Poster
A poster to decorate based on this month’s memory verse.
Explore It - April 2023 session 4
The stranger on the beach
(John 21:1-14)
Explore It - April 2023 session 4 - John 21
(John 21:1-14)
Explore It - April 2023 session 5
The ascension into Heaven
(Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:9-11)
Explore It - April 2023 session 5 - Ascension Bible Verses
(Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:9-11)
Explore It - April 2023 session 5 - Prayer
A prayer to take home.
One click option! Download all PDF content for May 2023 in one go!
Explore It - May 2023 session 1
God asks Abraham to go to Canaan
(Genesis 12:1-5; 15:5; 17:5,15-16)
Explore It - May 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - May 2023 session 2
God provides for Abraham’s sacrifice
(Genesis 22)
Explore It - May 2023 session 3
Things go wrong for Abraham’s grandchildren, Esau and Jacob
(Genesis 25:27-28; 27:22-41)
Explore It - May 2023 session 4
God can still use Jacob
(Genesis 27:42-44; 28:10-15)
A resource to support children's groups reflecting on the coronation of King Charles III.
Four Coronation Activities
Activities to reflect on the coronation.
Coronation Colouring Page
An illustration of King Charles III.
One click option! Download all PDF content for June 2023 in one go!
Explore It - June 2023 session 1
A trick is played on Jacob
(Genesis 29:1-27)
Explore It - June 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it
Explore It - June 2023 session 1 - Trust Prayers
Four prayers
Explore It - June 2023 session 2
Jacob’s struggles are over
(Genesis 32:4-13,20-28; Genesis 33:3-4)
Explore It - June 2023 session 3
Jacob is tricked again
(Genesis 37:3-11,18-34)
Explore It - June 2023 session 3 - Many Colours
A quiz
Explore It - June 2023 session 4
Joseph is tricked as a slave
(Genesis 39:3-6,11-20; Genesis 40:1-8,20,23)
One click option! Download all PDF content for July 2023 in one go!
Explore It - July 2023 session 1
Jesus includes Bartimaeus
(Mark 10:46-52)
Explore It - July 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - July 2023 session 2
Jesus meets a desperate woman
(Luke 8:43-48)
Explore It - July 2023 session 3
Jesus is made accessible
(Mark 2:1-12)
Explore It - July 2023 session 4
Jesus restores the senses
(Mark 7:31-37)
Explore It - July 2023 session 4 - Psalm 139-14 BSL
A PowerPoint presentation with a video of Psalm 139:14 in BSL.
Explore It - July 2023 session 5
Belonging is important to Jesus
(Mark 1:40-45)
One click option! Download all PDF content for August 2023 in one go!
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 1
Escape across the Red Sea
(Exodus 13:18,21-22; Exodus 14:5-8,10-28,31)
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 1 - Prayer Handout
Four copies of the same prayer.
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 2
Miracles in the wilderness
(Exodus 15:1-6,25; Exodus 16:3-8,19-20, 27-30; Exodus 17:6)
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 3
The Ten Commandments
(Exodus 19:16-20; Exodus 20:1-17,21-23; Exodus 24:15-18; Exodus 32:19-20)
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 4
The Ark and the Tabernacle
(Exodus 25:10-22; 35:10-19; Numbers 9:22)
Explore It - Aug 2023 session 4 - Ark of the Covenant
Bible extract (Exodus 25:10-22)
September 2023 - Can God work through me too?
Session 1: To know what happened after Moses died. (Joshua 6:1-11, 15-16,20,24,27)
Session 2: To learn about the people God uses. (Judges 6:12-16; Judges 7:19-21)
Session 3: To think about strength and how we use it. (Judges 13:1,3-5,24-25; 14:10-19; 16:4-6,16-2)
Session 4: To see how God used Ruth’s selfless choices. (Ruth chapter 1; 2:1-12; 4:13-17)
Session 5: To learn to listen for God and speak the truth. (1 Samuel 1:10-28; 3:1-11)
One click option! Download all PDF content for September 2023 in one go!
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 1
Jericho Joshua
(Joshua 6:1-11,15-16,20,24,27)
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 1 - Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 2
Hero Gideon (Judges 6:12-16; 7:19-21)
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 2 - Gideon Story Statements
Based on Judges 6:12-16; 7:19-21
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 3
Temple-toppling Samson
(Judges 13:1,3-5,24-25; 14:10-19; 16:4-6,16-21)
Explore It Sept 2023 session 3 - Strength Bible Verses
A selection of Bible verses based on strength
Explore It Sept 2023 session 3 - Strength Bible References
Various Bible references based on the theme strength
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 4
Loyal Ruth
(Ruth chapter 1; 2:1-12; 4:13-17)
Explore It - Sept 2023 session 5
The listening Samuel
(1 Samuel 1;10-28; 3:1-11)
October 2023 - Jesus makes an impact
Session 1: To discover that Jesus did not have favourites (Matthew 8:1-4; John 4:46-54)
Session 2: To see that Jesus was not popular with everyone (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:21-24)
Session 3: To know why the religious leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus (Matthew 12:1-2,8; 13:10-13; 15:1-2,10-14)
Session 4: To become aware of things we know that are wrong (Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 7:36-39,44-48)
One click option! Download all PDF content for October 2023 in one go!
Explore It Oct 2023 session 1
Jesus heals all kinds of people
(Matthew 8:1-4; John 4:46-54)
Explore It Oct 2023 session 1 Favourite Things
Suggested ideas on slips to cut out.
Explore It Oct 2023 session 1 Memory Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It Oct 2023 session 2
Jesus confuses religious leaders
(Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:21-24)
Explore It Oct 2023 session 2 Prayer
A prayer to display.
Explore It Oct 2023 session 3
Getting rid of Jesus
(Matthew 12:1-2,8; 13:10-13; 15:1-2,10-14)
Explore It Oct 2023 session 3 Four Parables
Draw ideas based on one of four parables.
Explore It Oct 2023 session 4
Jesus forgives sin
(Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 7:36-39,44-48)
November 2023 – The sending, teaching, terrifying and reassuring Jesus
Session 1: To know that disciples have a purpose
(Matthew 10:1-4,6-14)
Session 2: To discover how Jesus teaches
(Matthew 5:1-12,43-48; 7:24-29)
Session 3: To ask who we think Jesus is
(Mark 4:35-41)
Session 4: To learn about John’s vision of the ending
(Revelation 4:1-3; 21:1-4,22-27; 22:1-5)
One click option! Download all PDF content for November 2023 in one go!
Explore It Nov 2023 session 1
Twelve chosen for Jesus’ peaceful plan (Matthew 10:1-4,6-14)
Explore It Nov 2023 session 1 Who would you choose?
Questions handout
Explore It Nov 2023 Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It Nov 2023 session 2
Jesus’ extraordinary teaching
(Matthew 5:1-12,43-48; 7:24-29)
Explore It Nov 2023 session 2 Wise man, foolish man
Activity sheet.
Explore It Nov 2023 session 3
The disciples are terrified
(Mark 4:35-41)
Explore It Nov 2023 session 4
John glimpses the ending
(Revelation 4:1-3; 21:1-4,22-27; 22:1-5)
Explore It Nov 2023 session 4 Revelation
Three extracts from the book of Revelation.
Advent 2023
Session 1: Waiting in prayer with Zechariah
(Luke 1:5-20)
Session 2: Breaking from tradition
(Luke 1:26-38, 57-64)
Session 3: The Holy Spirit shows that God is with us
(Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25)
Session 4: God is with the shepherds
(Luke 2:8-20)
Session 5: Seeing Salvation
(Luke 2:25-38)
One click option! Download all PDF content for December 2023 in one go!
Explore It Dec 2023 session 1
Waiting in prayer with Zechariah
(Luke 1:5-20)
Explore It Dec 2023 session 1 Bible Verse Wristband
Wristband with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It Dec 2023 session 1 Memory Verse Poster
Poster with the monthly Bible verse on it.
Explore It Dec 2023 session 2
Breaking from tradition
(Luke 1:26-38, 57-64)
Explore It Dec 2023 session 3
The Holy Spirit shows that God is with us
(Luke 2:1-2, Matthew 1:18-25)
Explore It Dec 2023 session 4
God is with the shepherds
(Luke 2:8-20)
Explore It Dec 2023 session 5
Seeing Salvation
(Luke 2:25-38)
Explore it
Discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together. Now available: January 2025 and Light Guides for younger children.
2022 discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together.
2021 discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together.
2020 discipleship material for children’s groups. To help your group to interact, grow and have fun together.
Other useful links
14 five-minute episodes to help children transition from primary to secondary school as they become small fish in a big pond. Now including 14 illustrated video versions.
A ball based wellbeing resource for schools or church groups. It offers children the opportunity to get talking, listening and moving!
Compelling small group (previously known as Cell Outlines) Bible study resources for ages 12-25
Right Tracks is a new music resource produced for children and leaders to help learn more about God. *Includes a Primary School assembly for each song.*