September 20, 2019 By Brian Dembowczyk

The (Literal) A-to-Z of The Gospel Project for Kids

Sometimes learning a curriculum is like learning a new language. There are a lot of terms that may be unfamiliar, and at times, it can be overwhelming.

At The Gospel Project, we want to resource you well to be effective in pointing your kids to Jesus every week, which means we have a lot—quite a lot—to offer you. But the trade-off is that the more we offer, the harder it is to make sense of what you have at times.

We hope this post helps you with that.

We would encourage you to bookmark this post and use it as a reference tool as you need.

A

Activity Pack — Combination of the Activity Page and Big Picture Card for Families only available for purchase during the suggested use window.

Activity Page — Available for preschool, younger kids, and older kids featuring learning activities for use during the session as well as content for families to use in the home.

Activity Page Answer Key — Provided on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) and in the Printables folder (digital bundle).

Activity Page PDF — Included in the digital bundle and allows for churches to make as many copies as they need up to the maximum of their digital tier. Not available a la carte.

Activity Printables — Items required to complete the suggested activities in the leader guides and are on the Enhanced CD (leader kit), in the Printables folder (digital bundle) and on the Additional Resources page.

Additional Resources Page — Features helpful items each volume, including the activity printables, supply lists, share squares, and corrected items. Located under the Leader Resources menu at gospelproject.com.

Add-On DVD — Additional DVD discs only available for purchase with, or after, the purchase of a leader kit.

Add-On Enhanced CD — Additional Enhanced CD only available for purchase with, or after, the purchase of a leader kit.

Age Groups — Two age ministries, preschool and kids, are subdivided into two age groups each: babies & toddlers and preschool and younger kids and older kids. An optional preteen age is also available in the kids content, providing a potential fifth age group. Age groups are not defined because every church context is unique.

B

Babies & Toddlers — The youngest age group, generally covering birth to about 3-years-old or 4-years-old.

Bible Story Poster — Poster designed to aid in telling the Bible story each session. Available as a PDF on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) or printables folder (digital bundle), and also as part of a Poster Pack.

Bible Story Videos — Three to five minute video to aid in telling the Bible story each session. Available on the DVD and Presentation Files Disc (leader kit), as part of the Digital Download (leader kit), and as the videos folder (digital bundle).

Bible Translations — The Gospel Project is translation neutral, meaning no translation is used in the leader guide materials. Any translation may be used to teach it. The Key Passage Posters are available in CSB, ESV, NIV, and KJV. A blank poster is available for adding a different translation. Key Passage Songs are based on the CSB.

Big Picture Family Card — A trading size card for each session designed for children to continue the learning at home.

Big Picture Family Card PDF — Included in the digital bundle and allows for churches to make as many copies as they need up to the maximum of their digital tier. Not available a la carte.

Big Picture Question & Answer — A primary way to teach foundational doctrines of the faith. Each unit features a Big Picture Question & Answer, meaning kids will learn 36 key doctrines through this tool over the course of a 3-year cycle.

Big Picture Question & Answer Poster — Poster designed to aid teaching the Big Picture Question & Answer each unit. Available as a PDF on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) or printables folder (digital bundle), and also as part of a Poster Pack.

Big Picture Question & Answer Resource — Systematically teaches core theological concepts, through 76 questions and answers organized around six overarching categories. This resource, which is available online as well as in printed format, covers doctrines not included in each cycle of The Gospel Project and is intended to provide a broader view of teaching doctrines to kids.

Big Picture Question & Answer Training — Included with the online resource, a series of videos and discussion guides are available for children’s ministry teams to use in training.

Big Story Circle Poster — A circular representation of the chronology covered in the current cycle of content. Available only in PDF format, which allows for printing as many copies as desired. A link to purchase is found on the Getting Started page.

Bookmarks — PDF featuring a set of bookmarks to be printed for each volume providing leaders with use dates for each session. One set of bookmarks includes our suggested use dates, the others are blank for custom use dates.

Books of the Bible Posters — A set of 66 posters, one for each book of the Bible, providing a brief overview, Christ Connection of the book, and details of how the book fits into the big story of Scripture. Available in print and PDF formats. A link to purchase is found on the Getting Started page.

C

Christ Connection — The most important element of a session, the Christ Connection shows how the passage being studied points to Jesus. The Christ Connection is what leaders should set as their “target destination” as they plan a session.

Christmas Bonus Sessions — Three free bonus sessions provided for churches that desire to teach on the Christmas story for more than one week. The same three sessions are provided each Christmastime to add to the Christmas Session that comes in the session plan content. Bonus materials are available through Ministry Grid.

Christmas Session — The session plan includes one Christmas session each year to fall on the Sunday closest to Christmas. This session comes with the purchase of a Winter Kit (Volumes 2, 6, and 10). For churches that are off cycle, this session, along with the Christmas Bonus Sessions, are made available through Ministry Grid.

Church Ordering — A way to set-up a recurring order at lifeway.com which saves you time each quarter and also enables you to save up to 5% off your order. Opportunities to review orders and make needed changes are given.

Corrections — Corrected items are generally made available on the Additional Resources page as they are discovered and made. Corrected resources are filed under the volume and unit in which they appear.

Countdown Videos — Three-minute video for use during transition times as needed and desired. Available on the DVD and Presentation Files Disc (leader kit), as part of the Digital Download (leader kit), and as the videos folder (digital bundle).

Customer Service — For basic information about The Gospel Project, to place an order, or for help with an order, contact the LifeWay Customer Service team. Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT Monday – Friday (800) 458-2772
customerservice@lifeway.com.

Cycle — The Gospel Project is a weekly, ongoing Bible study curriculum with brand new materials always releasing. A cycle is one time through the story of Scripture, which takes 3 years, or 12 volumes of content. The first cycle was 2012-2015, the second cycle was from 2015-2018, the current cycle is from 2018-2021, and the fourth cycle will be from 2021-2024.

D

Digital Bundle — An option to provide all digital content needed to teach a volume. The price of a digital bundle is determined by the average attendance for a ministry. The purchase of a digital bundle grants the rights to print copies of the items up to the maximum size of the digital bundle and the ability to use the content for up to 12 months from the date of purchase. Material is provided through the My Curriculum Manager online platform.

Digital Download Card — Included in the Leader Kits and Worship Hour Add-On packs, the code on this card allows a church to download the MP4 version of the videos onto a computer. These are the same videos as come on the Presentation Files Disc in the kit. This download code only works for one download and then it can no longer be used.

Digital License — Purchase of a digital bundle grants a digital license to the church to use the content according to its restrictions, namely that the church cannot share the content with other churches, that items can only be printed up to the maximum digital tier size, and that resources can only be used within a 12-month period starting at the date of purchase. After 12 months, the content is removed from My Curriculum Manager and churches are not allowed to re-use the content.

Digital Set — An option to provide all digital content needed to teach a full year (four volumes). The price of a digital bundle is determined by the average attendance for a ministry. The purchase of a digital set grants the rights to print copies of the items up to the maximum size of the digital bundle and the ability to use the content for up to 12 months from the date of purchase. Material is provided through the My Curriculum Manager online platform.

Digital Support Team — For concerns or issues with using My Curriculum Manager, contact the LifeWay Digital Support Team. Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT Monday – Friday (866) 627-8553 customerservice@lifeway.com.

Digital Tier — Digital bundles are priced in digital tiers. Churches determine their average ministry attendance and then select the digital tier that it falls within. If a ministry size changes, the church would purchase the appropriate tier the following volume.

DVD — One of three discs included in a leader kit and Worship Hour Add-On pack. The DVD is a playable DVD for use in a DVD player. DVD Add-ons (additional copies of the DVD) may be purchased as needed.

E

Easter Bonus Session — One Palm Sunday bonus session is provided for churches that desire to teach on the Easter story for more than one week. The same bonus session is provided each Easter to add to the Easter Session that comes in the session plan content. Bonus materials are available through Ministry Grid.

Easter Session — The session plan includes one Easter session each year to fall on the Easter Sunday. This session comes with the purchase of a Spring Kit (Volumes 3, 7, and 11). For churches that are off cycle, this session, along with the Easter Bonus Session, are made available through Ministry Grid.

Enhanced CD — One of three discs included in a leader kit and Worship Hour Add-On pack. The Enhanced CD is a playable music CD that also has digital content accessed through a computer. Basically, anything that is printed is found on this disc. Enhanced CD Add-ons (additional copies of the CD) may be purchased as needed.

F

Fall — The first quarter of the year for those following the suggested use schedule. Begins the first Sunday of each September and runs through November. Coincides with Volumes 1, 5, and 9 of each cycle.

Family App — A paid app (99 cents per volume for Android and iPhone, $2.99 per volume for iPad) for families to disciple their kids in the home with Gospel Project materials. The Family App contains the Bible story videos, key passage and volume songs, and several games and learning activities. The app is provided through the free LifeWay Kids Reader app, available in both iTunes and Google Play.

Family Line of Jesus Poster — Part of the Giant Timeline showing the family line of Jesus traced through the Old Testament. A link to purchase is found on the Getting Started page.

Family Resources — The Gospel Project features many resources for churches to help equip parents for discipling their own children including the Parent Resources Doc, Family and Lite Apps, Family content on the Activity Pages, the Big Picture Cards for Families, and the One Big Story companion resources.

G

Getting Started Page — One of the more helpful pages for ministry leaders at gospelproject.com, accessed through the Leader Resources menu. Features the Launch Guide and several important links.

Giant Timeline & Family Line of Jesus — A linear representation of the chronology covered in the current cycle of content. Includes a family line of Jesus. Available in print or PDF format. A link to purchase is found on the Getting Started page.

Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry — This short book explains the vision and DNA behind The Gospel Project. Available for purchase at lifeway.com.

Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry Training — Free online training that serves as a compliment to Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry, or on its own.

Gospel God’s Plan for Me — Suggested outline for sharing the gospel. Featured in the leader guides and as a poster on the Enhanced CD (leader kit), in the printables folder (digital bundle), and on the Additional Resources page. An alternate version of the poster and the icons by themselves are available on the Getting Started page.

Gospel God’s Plan for Me Study — Six-week study through the gospel plan: God Rules, We Sinned, God Provided, Jesus Gives, We Respond. Features information about how to respond to the gospel, pages to guide parents in at-home conversations, and downloadable leader content. Available at lifeway.com.

Gospel Presentation Videos — Brief video featuring our storyteller, Tyler, sharing the gospel using the Gospel God’s Plan for Me outline. Available on the DVD and Presentation Files Disc (kids leader kit), as part of the Digital Download (kids leader kit), as the videos folder (kids digital bundle), and online.

H

Home Edition — Stand-alone resource for use in the home that is not designed to follow any cycle of The Gospel Project used in the church. Provides six semesters of content. Available at lifeway.com.

J

Journal Page — An optional resource to use at the end of each session for application. Available on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) and in the printables folder (digital download).

K

Key Passage — A Bible passage that supports one of the bigger ideas of the unit that is designed for memorization. Each unit features a Key Passage, meaning kids will learn 36 passages through this tool over the course of a 3-year cycle.

Key Passage Poster — Poster designed to aid teaching the Key Passage each unit. Comes in CSB, ESV, NIV, and KJV. Available as a PDF on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) or printables folder (digital bundle), and also as part of a Poster Pack.

L

Languages — Currently, The Gospel Project for Kids is available in English and Korean, through a Korean publisher. It is being translated into French by a Canadian publisher (ETA TBD) and into Spanish by the LifeWay Global team (ETA TBD). Inquires for publishing the content into another language can be made at lifeway.com.

Launch Guide — A step-by-step launch guide for The Gospel Project. In this guide you will find a few suggestions to help communicate clearly and lead well through your transition to The Gospel Project. Available on the Getting Started page.

Leader Blog Posts — Weekly blog posts designed to encourage leaders so that they teach from the overflow of their joy in and gratitude for the gospel. Also include the Leader Training Video for the week embedded at the end of the post. Available directly on the blog, and also linked from each volume’s content on the Additional Resources page.

Leader Guide — The primary resource for teaching The Gospel Project. Available in four age groups: Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Younger Kids, and Older Kids. Each session is structured the same, with the other resources mentioned in the sidebars to see how everything fits together.

Leader Guide PDF — PDF version of the Leader Guide. The PDF is designed for leaders who prefer to teach from a tablet or some other device. For purchasing, the Leader Guide PDF is to be treated as a physical book, meaning one PDF cannot be purchased and then shared with multiple leaders. A PDF would need to be purchased for each leader.

Leader Guide RTF — RTF (Rich Text Format) version of the Leader Guide for editing content as desired provided only in the digital bundles.

Leader Kit — The primary resource for each volume. The Leader Kit contains the videos, music, and printables as well as a set of Leader Guides, Activity Pages, and Cards for a ministry leader to hold onto for reference, or to count toward the resources needed. One Leader Kit is all a church needs per main age group (Preschool and Kids).

Leader Training Videos — Weekly videos designed to encourage leaders so that they teach from the overflow of their joy in and gratitude for the gospel. Available in Ministry Grid, Vimeo and also linked from each volume’s content on the Additional Resources page.

Lifeway.com — The primary place to purchase The Gospel Project resources. Clicking Shop on this site, then either preschool or kids, and then the volume needed will take you directly to a page at lifeway.com for just that volume’s content.

LifeWay Kids App Reader — The free app that houses The Gospel Project for Kids Lite and Family apps, available in both iTunes and Google Play.

Lite App — A free app for families to disciple their kids in the home with Gospel Project materials. The Lite App contains the games and learning activities centered on the Key Passage. The app is provided through the free LifeWay Kids Reader app, available in both iTunes and Google Play.

M

Map Posters — Part of the Small Group Timeline providing four maps to help kids see where the events of the Bible took place. When appropriate, map coordinates are provided in the Leader Guide showing the location of that session’s events. A link to purchase is found on the Getting Started page.

Middle School — Different from the Preteen Option, this digital only resource is crafted by the Student team is available for purchase by clicking Shop on this site, and then Students.

Ministry Grid — This training platform houses the Leader Training Videos as well as the Christmas and Easter Bonus content. A free subscription to Ministry Grid is required to access this free content. A paid side is available offering churches video-based training for all the ministries of a church.

Missions Videos — Roughly 3-5 sessions per volume will feature a missions video during the missions portion. Available on the DVD and Presentation Files Disc (leader kit), as part of the Digital Download (leader kit), and as the videos folder (digital bundle).

My Curriculum Manager (MCM) — This curriculum platform houses the digital bundles of content. The person who purchases the content will become the Administrator by default and will receive an e-mail notifying that content is available. He or she would then set a start date of the volume and invite other leaders to access it in that platform. Content is available for use for 12 months after the date of purchase and is then removed.

O

Off Cycle — Many churches choose to start with Volume 1 of the current cycle instead of “jumping into” the current cycle and following the suggested use schedule. This is called being “off cycle.” The Christmas and Easter sessions will not line up properly for off cycle churches.

Older Kids — The oldest age group, generally covering about 3rd through 6th grades.

One Big Story Resources — A variety of resources produced by the B&H Kids team that are designed to support, although not align, with The Gospel Project. These resources are available at lifeway.com.

Ordering Assistant — Helpful automated tool to suggest an order after entering pertinent ministry details such as number of classrooms, leaders, and kids. The Ordering Assistant is available by clicking Shop on this site.

Out of Print — Each volume is available for roughly three years from the date of its first printing. After that, it goes out of print and is unavailable in all formats—physical and digital. Each volume will go out of print when the same volume of the following cycle releases for purchase. For example, Volume 1 (Fall 2018) of the current cycle will go out of print when Volume 1 (Fall 2021) releases for purchase.

P

Parent Resources Document — This resource is designed for ministry leaders to communicate with parents and families about what is being taught through The Gospel Project and includes a suggested e-mail, two suggested tweets, and a summary of the main points of the session. Provided on the Enhanced CD (leader kit), in the Printables folder (digital bundle), and on the Additional Resources page.

Poster Pack — A pack of 11×17 posters available for purchase for churches that do not want to print their own from the PDF files on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) or in the printables folder (digital bundle). Includes the Bible Story Poster, Key Passage Posters, Story Point Poster, and Big Picture Question and Answer Poster.

Preschool — The second youngest age group, generally covering about 3-year-olds through kindergarten.

Presentation Files — JPG versions of the PDF items and MP4 versions of the videos for creating a presentation to show the content through a computer and projector or some other device. The Presentation Files are located the Presentation Files Disc (leader kit) and in the Presentation Files folder (digital bundle).

Presentation Files Disc — One of three discs included in a leader kit and Worship Hour Add-On pack. The Presentation Files Disc contains MP4 versions of the videos for showing over a computer or other digital platform as well as JPG versions of the volume’s posters.

Preteen — An optional age group to use instead of the Older Kids Leader Guide for the oldest kids in your ministry, generally 5th and 6th graders.

Preteen Option — This PDF only resource is not available a la carte—it only comes with the purchase of a Kids Leader Kit or Kids Digital Bundle. This item did not make it onto the discs in the leader kits for Volumes 1 and 2 and can be accessed on the Additional Resources page for those volumes. Volume 3 forward, it will be on either the Presentation Files Disc or the Enhanced CD. It will be in the printables folder (digital bundles) for all volumes.

Q

Quarter — Another term for Volume, used more for churches following the suggested use schedule. The four 3-month quarters begin in September and are fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Questions from Kids Videos — A video featuring a question asked by a kid, a brief answer, and a question asked back to the kids for further discussion.
These videos are not part of the Preschool content. Available on the DVD and Presentation Files Disc (leader kit), as part of the Digital Download (leader kit), and as the videos folder (digital bundle).

R

Release Schedule — Volumes release every three months (coinciding with the suggested start date of the prior volume). Fall Quarters (Volumes 1, 5, and 9) release in late May to mid-June. Winter Quarters (Volumes 2, 6, and 10) release in late August to mid-September. Spring Quarters (Volumes 3, 7, and 11) release in late November to mid-December. Summer Quarters (Volumes 4, 8, and 12) release in late February to mid-March.

S

Session — A session is one-week’s worth of content covering roughly 60 minutes. Three to six sessions make up a unit. Three units make up a volume. Twelve volumes make up a cycle.

Session Plan — The Session Plan, or Scope and Sequence, provides a cycle’s volume, unit, and session titles as well as the general passages covered in that session. A kids-specific plan, and one showing how all the ages align, is available on the Getting Started page.

Share Squares — Weekly image designed to share on social media platforms depicting the Bible Story picture and part of the Christ Connection. Provided on the Additional Resources page.

Shop — Likely the easiest way to find and purchase resources. Accessed by clicking Shop at the top of this site, then the age group(s) you need, and then the volume. That will take you to a page at lifeway.com to add items into a cart and complete your purchase.

Small Group Timeline & Maps — A smaller linear representation of the chronology covered in the current cycle of content. Includes four regional maps of Israel and the Middle East. Available in print or PDF format. A link to purchase is found on the Getting Started page.

Spring — The third quarter of the year for those following the suggested use schedule. Begins the first Sunday of each March and runs through May. Coincides with Volumes 3, 7, and 11 of each cycle.

Story Point — A short summary of what the Bible story is about. The Story Point ensures kids understand the basics of the story so that they can then move on to learn the Christ Connection.

Story Point Poster — Poster designed to aid teaching the Bible story point of each session. Available as a PDF on the Enhanced CD (leader kit) or printables folder (digital bundle), and also as part of a Poster Pack.

Suggested Use Schedule — Churches are encouraged to “jump in” with where the cycle is and follow the suggested use schedule no matter when they start. This lines up the Christmas and Easter sessions, makes it easier to find the weekly leader videos and blogs, and can provide some cost savings.

Summer — The fourth quarter of the year for those following the suggested use schedule. Begins the first Sunday of each June and runs through August. Coincides with Volumes 4, 8, and 12 of each cycle.

T

The Gospel at the Center Training — Free online video-based training for all ages available focusing on gospel centrality in ministry. Available from the Getting Started page.

The Gospel Project for Kids Facebook Community — Connect with over 3,000 others using The Gospel Project for Kids to ask and answer questions and share ideas.

The Hero of the Story Podcast — Weekly podcast featuring two episodes each week, one covering that week’s session content and the other one of the 99 Essential Doctrines covered in the adult and student content. Available on the podcast page of this site (linked under Leader Resources), and wherever you listen to podcasts.

U

Unit — Three to six sessions make up a unit. Three units make up a volume. Twelve volumes make up a cycle.

Unit Overview — A brief summary of the session content in a unit. The Unit Overview is part of the printed leader guide content and is also available on the Additional Resources page.

Unit Theme — A suggested decorating theme that is a small part of the kids materials, but integrated fully into the kids Worship Hour Add-On.

V

Videos — Available with the purchase of a leader kit or digital bundle. For preschool, a Bible Story video is provided for each session and about 3-6 missions videos are also provided. Five music videos are also provided, and several additional worship videos are added in the Worship Hour Add-On. For Kids, the same videos are provided as well as the Questions from Kids video in each session.

Volume — Three months of material, usually equalling 13 sessions. Three to six sessions make up a unit. Three units make up a volume. Twelve volumes make up a cycle.

W

Winter — The second quarter of the year for those following the suggested use schedule. Begins the first Sunday of each December and runs through February. Coincides with Volumes 2, 6, and 10 of each cycle.

Worship Guide — A guide for a second full hour of content to be used in worship or midweek settings. This resource is only available as part of the Worship Hour Add-On pack.

Worship Guide PDF — Provided on the Enhanced CD (worship pack) and in the printables folder (digital bundle) allowing churches to make copies as needed.

Worship Guide RTF — Editable RTF provided on the Enhanced CD (worship pack) beginning with Volume 5 and in the printables folder (digital bundle) allowing churches to edit content and make copies as needed.

Worship Hour Add-On — An option providing a second full hour of content, available only with or after the purchase of a leader kit. In print, consists of one printed Worship Guide, and a case with three discs providing some of the same content as the Leader Kit as well as unique content for the Worship Hour. In digital bundles, this content is included in those labeled “with Worship Hour Add-On.”

Worship Videos — Each volume includes a worship song, a hymn rewrite, and a key passage song for each unit. Videos are provided for each of these songs. Additional worship videos are included for the Worship Hour Add-On. Available on the DVD and Presentation Files Disc (leader kit), as part of the Digital Download (leader kit), and as the videos folder (digital bundle).

Y

Younger Kids — The next to oldest age group, generally covering about K through 3rd grade.

Z

Zebra — We may put a zebra in the Bible story of creation, or on an activity page once in a while. But the only reason to mention this is to be true to the title of this page.

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