Week 2 – “Old Testament and New Testament”

Summary
Verse
Movement
Lesson
Small Groups
Closer Game

Summary

Kids learn that the Bible’s two main parts — Old Testament (before Jesus) and New Testament (about Jesus and the early church) — tell one connected story. The Old points forward to the Savior; the New shows how Jesus fulfills those promises. Through activities, kids begin recognizing which books belong to each part and why it matters.

Verse

Hebrews 1:1–2 — “In the past God spoke… but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”

Action ideas:
  • “In the past” – point behind you.
  • “God spoke” – cup hands like you’re calling out.
  • “Now by His Son” – point upward, then to your heart.

Movement: “Old or New?”

Set-up: Label two sides of the room — one “Old Testament” and the other “New Testament.”

How to play:
  • Call out a book name (e.g., Genesis, Matthew, Psalms).
  • Kids move quickly to the correct side.
  • Once there, they shout a simple response:
    • OT side: “Pointing to Jesus!”
    • NT side: “Jesus is here!”

Add variety:
  • Use pictures or symbols instead of just book names (scroll = OT, cross = NT).
  • Have volunteers call out the next book to keep engagement up.

Teaching tie-in: “Even though the Testaments are different, both tell us about the same God and His plan.”

Lesson

1. Show-and-tell: Hold up a Bible, fold it roughly in half. Explain:
  • The first part (Old Testament) tells how God created the world, chose His people, and promised a Savior.
  • The second part (New Testament) shows how those promises came true through Jesus and how His followers shared that good news.

2. Bible timeline visual:
  • Draw a timeline on a whiteboard or poster: Creation → Abraham → David → Jesus → Church.
  • Point out that the Old Testament covers everything up to Jesus’ birth, and the New continues from there.

3. Connect to the verse: God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament, and through Jesus in the New. Same voice, new chapter.
Object lesson idea:
Illustration suggestion: Use two puzzle pieces labeled “Old Testament” and “New Testament” that fit together to show unity in one big story.

Small Groups: “Color the Bible Outline”

Supplies:
  1. A printable outline of an open Bible divided into two halves, crayons/markers.
  2. Optional: add a small cross between the two halves to show Jesus connecting them.

Activity:
  1. Kids color the left side (Old Testament) one color—like brown or gold for “ancient.”
  2. Color the right side (New Testament) another color—like bright blue for “new.”
  3. Write “Old = Promises Made” and “New = Promises Kept.”

Discussion: Ask each group what kinds of stories they remember from each side: creation, Noah, David, Jesus’ miracles, etc.

Optional add-on: have kids count how many books in each part (39 in OT, 27 in NT) and write the numbers neatly at the top.

Closer Game: “Bible Sorting Line”

Supplies: 
  • Cards with names of Bible books (one per card), tape, large poster or string line split down the middle: “Old” and “New.”

How to play:
  1. Spread the cards out on the floor or hand them to kids.
  2. One at a time (or small groups), kids run to place or tape their card on the correct side.
  3. After all are sorted, go through together to check and celebrate correct placements.

Simplify for younger kids: 
  • Use only 10–12 familiar books.

Add challenge for older kids:
  • Add a timer or team race to sort faster or in correct order.

Teaching tie-in: 
  • When every card is placed, say, “Look how all these books tell one story — God’s plan to save us through Jesus!”

Optional closer chant:
Leader: “Old or New?”
Kids: “It’s all true!”
Leader: “Who’s it all about?”
Kids: “JESUS!”