Back to School Sunday School Lesson for Kids
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 3:5-6
An interactive back-to-school lesson on Colossians 3:23 and Proverbs 3:5-6. Kids learn to work hard for the Lord, welcome new classmates and trust God, then make backpack tags and pray a blessing for backpacks and teachers.
Memory verse
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Explain that we can do schoolwork heartily, as for the Lord.
- Practice welcoming a new classmate with kind words and actions.
- Recall Proverbs 3:5-6 and choose to trust God when school feels scary or hard.
The full lesson plan
Backpack Check-In (5 min)
Setup: Have kids sit in a circle with their backpacks. If someone has no backpack, they may pretend.
Say: Good morning! School is starting, and backpacks are packed.
Say: Let's play Backpack Check. Stand up if your backpack has a pencil. Sit down.
Stand up if you feel excited about school. Stand up if you feel a little nervous. Stand up if you are a little of both.
Say: Many of us feel excited and nervous at once. That is normal.
Say: Today we'll learn three things God's Word gives us to pack for school. They are hard work, kindness and trust.
Now let's hear what God says.
God's Words for School (7 min)
Background: Colossians is a letter written to Christians. Proverbs is a book of wise sayings.
Read aloud from the KJV:
Colossians 3:23: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Say: Let's add motions. Read each line again and have kids copy you.
- "Do it heartily": pretend to write hard, then put a hand on your heart.
- "As to the Lord": point up.
- "Trust in the LORD": cross your hands over your heart.
- "Lean not": lean to one side, then stand tall.
- "He shall direct thy paths": walk your fingers forward.
Say: "Heartily" means with all your heart. Do your best, not half-way.
Now let's see how this fits a school day.
Three Things to Pack (8 min)
Say: Pack number one is hard work. Colossians says to work as if you are working for the Lord. God sees our effort, even when no one else does.
Ask: When is it hard to try your best? (Spelling tests, math, cleaning up.) Doing your best does not mean being perfect. It means giving real effort.
Say: Pack number two is kindness. Colossians 3:12 tells believers to put on kindness. Think about the new kid who doesn't know anyone.
Say: Jesus welcomed people, including children (Mark 10:13-16). Romans 15:7 says to receive one another as Christ received us. When we say "Come sit with us," we show His welcome.
Say: Pack number three is trust. Proverbs says to trust the LORD with all your heart, not just your own understanding. When you feel nervous, you can talk to God right where you are. You can whisper, "God, help me."
Say: Hard work, kindness and trust. Hold up three fingers and say them with me.
Now let's practice being kind.
The Welcome Walk (8 min)
Setup: Clear a walking path. Prepare three scenario cards:
1) A new kid is standing alone at recess.
2) A new kid sits alone at lunch.
3) A classmate is stuck on a hard page and looks upset.
Steps (8 min):
1. Put kids in pairs. One is the "new kid," and the other is the "helper."
2. Read scenario 1. Helpers walk (no running) to the new kid and say or do something kind. Give examples: "Hi, I'm ___. Want to play?"
3. Switch roles for scenario 2.
4. For scenario 3, helpers offer help or encouragement. Then everyone whispers a short prayer: "God, help me trust You."
5. Gather and ask: What kind words did you hear? Cheer for a few ideas.
Safety: Walk only. No one is forced to act. Anyone may watch and give ideas instead.
Backpack Blessing Tags (8 min)
Setup: Cut cardstock into tags and punch a hole in each. Cut yarn lengths. Set out markers.
Steps (8 min):
1. Give each child a tag and a piece of yarn.
2. On the front, write "Colossians 3:23" and "Work heartily, be kind, trust God." Younger children may copy the words.
3. Decorate the front with a simple drawing.
4. On the back, write the name of a teacher or classmate to pray for.
5. Thread the yarn through the hole and tie it to a backpack zipper. Helpers can assist.
Safety: Supervise scissors and the hole punch. Check for marker or material sensitivities before class. Keep yarn away from necks and faces.
Say: Every time you see your tag, remember what to pack.
Talk It Over (4 min)
Ask these questions while kids are seated with their tags:
1. What does it mean to work "heartily" for the Lord? (Do your best with a good attitude, knowing God sees.)
2. What is one kind way to welcome a new classmate? (Invite them to play, sit with them, learn their name.)
3. What can you do when you feel nervous at school? (Pray quietly, remember God is with me, ask a teacher for help.)
Say: Great thinking. Let's bring our backpacks and pray.
Blessing for Backpacks and Teachers (5 min)
Say: Hold your backpack, or hold your tag, in front of you. We're going to ask God to bless our school year.
Lead a prayer, pausing for kids to repeat each line:
- "Lord, bless this backpack and everything inside."
- "Help me work heartily for You."
- "Help me be kind to new friends."
- "When I feel nervous, help me trust You."
- "Bless my teachers. Give them wisdom, patience and joy."
- "Thank You for being with me at school. Amen."
Prayer points: (1) Teachers and school staff. (2) New students. (3) Kids who feel nervous. (4) Hard work and kindness all year.
Say: Remember to pack hard work, kindness and trust. Have a great school year!
Materials
- KJV Bible
- Children's backpacks (ask kids to bring them)
- Cardstock or heavy paper, cut into tag shapes
- Markers or crayons
- Yarn or string, cut in 25 cm (10 in) lengths
- Hole punch
- Child-safe scissors
- Three scenario cards (written by you from the Activity section)
Teacher notes
- Safety: the craft uses scissors, a hole punch, yarn and markers. Supervise closely and check for allergies or sensitivities first. Keep yarn away from necks.
- Adaptation: use picture cards for the scenarios, pair shy children with a buddy, and let anyone watch instead of role-playing.
- Some children may have already had a hard school experience. Keep the focus on God's care and avoid asking kids to share things they find painful.
- Mixed ages: older kids can help younger ones write on their tags.
Send it home with parents
Today your child learned that God is with them at school. Colossians 3:23 encourages us to work heartily, as for the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust God with all our hearts. We practiced welcoming new classmates and prayed a blessing over backpacks and teachers.
- What part of school are you excited about? What part feels hard or scary?
- How could you welcome someone new this week?
- When could you pray quietly during your school day?
Pray together over your child's backpack before the first day. Then write a short thank-you note for a teacher and have your child draw a picture on it.
Each day this week, do one task heartily as for the Lord. Also say a kind word to someone who seems alone. Talk about it at dinner.
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