Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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Jesus Gives the Great Commission
(Matthew 28:16-20)

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His followers many times. But one special day, the eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee. Jesus had told them to go there, so they climbed up the rocky path, their sandals kicking up dust. When they saw Him standing there, alive and strong, they fell down and worshiped Him. Some of them still had questions in their hearts, wondering how all of this could be true.

Jesus walked closer to them, and His voice was calm and sure. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Think about that - all authority! Not some authority, not just a little bit. Jesus has complete power over everything everywhere. He is the King of heaven and earth.

Then Jesus gave them a mission that would change the world forever. He said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations". He didn't want them to stay on that mountain forever. He wanted them to go out to every village, every town, every country. He wanted them to tell everyone the good news about who He is and what He has done.

Jesus also told them how to make disciples. He said, "Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". Baptism is a way of showing that someone belongs to God. It's like a public declaration that says, "I am following Jesus!" And notice the special name Jesus used - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three persons, but one God.

Then Jesus gave one more instruction: "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". It wasn't enough just to tell people about Jesus. They needed to learn how to follow Him too. They needed to learn how to love God, how to love others, how to forgive, and how to live like Jesus lived. This teaching would take time and patience, but it was worth it.

The disciples might have felt nervous when they heard this. How could they go to all nations? How could they teach everyone? They were just ordinary fishermen and tax collectors. But then Jesus gave them the most wonderful promise: "And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age". Jesus didn't send them out alone. He promised to be with them every single day, everywhere they went. And that promise is for us too. Jesus is with us always, no matter where we go or what we do.

A Curious Question

Jesus told His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, but the disciples were just ordinary people like you and me. How could they possibly teach the whole world about Jesus, and how can we do the same today?

Old Testament Connection

Long before Jesus gave the Great Commission, God made a special promise to Abraham. God said that through Abraham's family, all nations on earth would be blessed. This was part of the Abrahamic Covenant. Jesus came from Abraham's family, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He brought that blessing to everyone - not just the Jewish people, but people from every nation, tribe, and language. The Great Commission is the fulfillment of that ancient promise. God always planned to reach the whole world with His love, and He chose to do it through His people.

Discussion Questions

  1. Jesus said He has "all authority in heaven and on earth." What does that mean for how we live our daily lives?
  2. Why do you think Jesus told His followers to go to "all nations" instead of just staying in their own hometowns?
  3. Jesus promised to be with us always. How does knowing that He is always with you help you when you feel scared or unsure?

So What? What Can I Do?

  1. Who is someone in your life who doesn't know about Jesus? What is one small thing you can do this week to show them God's love?
  2. When you learn something new about Jesus from the Bible, who could you tell about it? How can you share what you have learned?
  3. Jesus said to "make disciples" which means helping others follow Him. What is one way you can help a friend or family member grow in their faith?

Memorize God's Word

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Hand Motions:

• Go therefore point forward with both hands and take one step forward.

• and make disciples cup your hands together as if holding something precious, then gently offer them forward.

• of all nations spin in a slow circle with your arms stretched wide to show the whole world.

• baptizing them gently move one hand down over your head like water being poured.

• in the name of the Father point one hand up toward heaven.

• and of the Son point one hand out to the side, then bring it down to show Jesus coming to earth.

• and of the Holy Spirit hold both hands out in front of you with palms up, like you are receiving a gift.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. Thank you for the Great Commission, that we get to be part of telling the world about You. Help us to be brave and to share Your love with our friends, our family, and everyone we meet. Remind us that Jesus is always with us, no matter where we go. In Jesus' name, amen.

Craft or Activity

World Map Prayer Banner

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the World Map Prayer Banner:

  1. Draw or trace a large world map onto your poster board.
  2. Color in the continents with different colors.
  3. Write "Go and Make Disciples of All Nations" at the top of the banner.
  4. On sticky notes or small paper flags, write the names of countries or people groups you want to pray for.
  5. Place the sticky notes on the map where those countries are located.
  6. Hang your banner on the wall and use it to pray for different countries each week.
  7. As you learn about missionaries or people from other countries, add more sticky notes to your map.

Effective Teaching Techniques

For Younger Children: Use a globe or a large world map to help them visualize "all nations." Point to different countries and say, "Jesus wants people there to know about Him too!" This helps make the Great Commission concrete and real.

Prep Shortcut: Print a simple outline map from online before class. You can also use blue painter's tape to mark the outline of continents on the floor for a large group activity.

Classroom Management: During the craft time, play soft instrumental music from different cultures. This creates a calm atmosphere and reminds kids of the diverse world God loves.

For Older Kids: Challenge them to use the Bible app on a tablet or phone to research a missionary story from a specific country. They can share what they learned with the group and add that country to the prayer banner.