Emotional Explorers: Thanksgiving to Christmas
Five free Sundays for your children's ministry, Thanksgiving to Christmas
Bible-story lessons for ages 4 to 11, November 22 to December 20, ready for a volunteer with ten minutes to prepare.
Send me the SundaysWhat your church gets
Each Sunday pairs a Bible story with a crayon character who has a big feeling, so children can talk about that feeling through the character. Each session runs 45 to 60 minutes with one leader and things your church already has.
| Sunday | Bible story | Crayon |
|---|---|---|
| November 22, Thanksgiving | Zechariah and Elizabeth wait (Luke 1:5–25, 57–66) | Amber and Rain: thankful and still sad |
| November 29 | Mary and the angel (Luke 1:26–38) | Verde |
| December 6 | Joseph's dream (Matthew 1:18–25) | Fuego |
| December 13 | No room (Luke 2:1–7) | Indigo |
| December 20 | The shepherds run to the manger (Luke 2:8–20) | Smudge, then the whole crew |
In every Sunday's folder
- A leader guide, with notes for ages 4 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11
- Story slides
- A picture card, for rooms with no screen
- A coloring page
- A family card to send home
Once for the whole series
- A start sheet
- A calm-tool poster
- A feelings strip
A free sample: the calm tool
Children learn one calm tool and use it every week. Here it is, word for word:
- Name it: "I feel ___."
- Two slow breaths: smell the flower, blow out the candle.
- Hand on heart: "God is with us." (Point up, then hand on heart.)
- Tell a grown-up you trust, or hug yourself until you can.
Leader's option, every time: "Breathe slow, or press your feet into the floor." Never ask a child to hold their breath.
You can use it this Sunday: show it once yourself, then do it together twice.
Who made it
Since Project M:25 was founded in 2012, we've been on a mission to help vulnerable children around the world thrive. Learn more about us.
Emotional Explorers by Project M:25. Tamitha Lynch and Keren Cortes, authors.
Get the five Sundays
Thanksgiving Sunday arrives in your inbox Monday, November 2, and the four Advent Sundays on Friday, November 6.
We'll email you the kit, a short note before each Sunday, and ways your church can take part in Give Christmas. Unsubscribe anytime.
Questions
What ages is it for?
Ages 4 to 11. Every leader guide has notes for three groups: 4 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11.
How long does it take to prepare?
About ten minutes with the leader guide. Each Sunday runs 45 to 60 minutes with one leader.
What if we have no screen?
Use the picture card. It tells each story without slides, so the slides are optional.
Is it really free?
Yes. All five Sundays are free to download and use with the children in your church.