What are the two greatest commandments? I’m glad you asked! The two greatest commandments are from the bible in Matthew 22. Teach your child Jesus’ greatest two commandments using this adorable and free Two Greatest Commandments craft for kids.

What are the 2 Greatest Commandments?

Let’s dive deep into what are the 2 greatest commandments according to the bible in Matthew 22. Jesus clearly states these two principles that are great teaching tools:

1. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

It’s easy to love yourself and your family, but it can be more difficult to love God when children can’t see him. Plus, it’s hard to love your neighbor when they take your toys or say mean words. Who is your neighbor? He or she is everyone you come into contact.

Two Greatest Commandments Craft

With this cute bible craft, your child will be reminded of how they can show God’s love through these two greatest commandments. With only a few supplies and 8 steps, this easy bible craft is perfect for Sunday School, homeschool, and schooling at home.

Here’s a tip: you can design your own stick figure to look like anyone — from Jesus, a friend, or even your own child!

Jesus Greatest Commandments Supplies List

• Jumbo popsicle stick 
• Template printed on white cardstock 
• Green pipe cleaner  
• Markers: red, grey, black and green 
• Skin colored crayon or colored pencil (marker would work too).  
• Cotton ball 
• Google eyes 
• Glue  
• Scissors 
• Tape (optional) 

Greatest Commandments Craft Instructions 

1. First print the template on white cardstock.  
2. Now color the circle with the skin colored crayon, color the stones gray and the hearts red. Cut the three pieces out.  

3. Take the face and stick on the google eyes and draw on a nose and smile.  Make it look like anyone you choose!

4. Next, carefully pull apart the cotton ball and glue it to the face for the hair, mustache and beard.  

5. Grab the jumbo popsicle stick and color it green.  

6. Then take the green pipe cleaner and wrap it around the middle of the popsicle stick, leaving the two ends stick out on each side for the arms.  

7. Glue the two stone tablets to the end of each pipe cleaner. It might be easier/faster to use tape.  

8. Lastly, glue the face to the top of the popsicle stick.  

9. The Popsicle stick Moses craft is complete. 

Need some more bible craft ideas? Try these bible crafts from Christian Preschool Printables! Here is a fun ten commandments bible craft instructional video to add to your bible learning center!

The post Two Greatest Commandments Craft for Kids appeared first on Bible Story Printables.

February is the month for celebrating love. It’s a perfect time to memorize Bible verses, because God is love. Making your Valentine’s Day more meaningful by hiding the Word of God in your little one’s heart with these 44 bible verses on love to memorize.

Love of God Bible Verses

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:8

We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Love of Others Bible Verses

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34-35

And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:14

Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Let all your things be done with charity. 1 Corinthians 16:14

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:8 

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.

And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25

Friendship Bible Verses

Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. Proverbs 27:10

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Romans 1:11-12

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Proverbs 17:9

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7 

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:10

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. Proverbs 16:28 

To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. Job 6:14 

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:21

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 19:19

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psalm 68:6 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Ecclesiastes 4:9

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4 

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33 

The post Bible Memory Verse about LOVE for Kids appeared first on Bible Story Printables.

We need to know where we’ve been to know where we are going. That is especially true with biblical history. The Bible is a collection of books that tell the story of salvation. It is also an expansive history book. Lastly, it is the authority of faith–what God has done for us and what is yet to come. Here is a look at how and why you should start a Bible timeline in your homeschool.

Why Start a Bible Timeline

Becoming well versed in the bible timeline will help students understand salvation history. It will also allow them to understand their place in the Kingdom of God. The Bible is a very rich resource. It spans thousands of years. It is estimated that the Bible was written by 40 unique authors. While the books go in order from creation to the coming of God’s Kingdom, the Bible is not necessarily a linear journey. Starting a Bible timeline chart will help children (and adults) see how one event leads to another, as well as, what happened in which order. This will really increase biblical knowledge and understanding. 

How to Make a Bible Timeline

There are several ways to create a biblical timeline. First, you could fill a binder with paper, marking the top of each page with a century. Then simply add an event to the relevant page as you study. This is pretty basic but can be more complicated with the Bible. 

Another version of a bible history timeline is to hang a long sheet of paper (either from a paper roll or taped together) on your wall. Make a list of the major events in the Old and New Testament. Now, figure out when each happened and put them in order. Record the events on your papers. 

Lastly, you can even create an amazing bible timeline on the computer. Use a graphic design program or spreadsheet to put everything in order. Remember to leave space between each event for any notes you want to add in later.

Bible Timeline Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind when making your bible timeline with amazing facts:

• This is a large project. Allow yourself plenty of time and don’t rush.
• Make it visually appealing and easy to access. The family will refer to it often.
• Add bible timeline with world history (non-biblical historical events) for perspective
• Connect events in the New Testament to corresponding ones in the Old Testament.
• Develop a color-coding system to find what you want in a glance.
• After you finish the major events, go back and fill in smaller ones.
• Laminate timelines that are on display or slip into protective sleeves

Suggested Resources

• The Bible Timeline website
• Bible Gateway events list

Looking for a free bible timeline? Simply subscribe to Bible Story Printables and you can get your very own pre-made bible timeline!

Or, if you’d like to create lasting memories to cherish for years to come, try assembling and binding your own bible timeline.

Find everything at once in this handy bible timeline list of free resources where you’ll discover several options from blank timelines, notebooking pages, timeline cards, and more!

The post How to Start a Bible Timeline for your Homeschool appeared first on Bible Story Printables.

Bible Memory Concentration

Start with the scripture location of the verses written on one sticky note and the verse without location on the mate.  Create around 10 pairs, more if you’re playing with older kids.  Shuffle the sticky notes and flip them over.  Play using normal concentration rules, making matches until all cards are gone.  If your kids don’t know what a certain verse is based on its location have them look it up.

Mixed Up Word Race

Choose a verse and write out one word per index card or sticky note.  Each player should have one full set of cards for the chosen verse.  Mix up the cards well, then at the same time try to reorder them on playing surface in proper verse order.  Whoever finishes correctly first wins.  Having a parent as a judge is helpful.

Word Fade

Start with a scripture passage written one word per index card laid out on the table.  The first player reads the entire passage then flips one card over.  The next player then recites the passage and flips another card over, two cards are now flipped.  Every turn a new card is flipped over.  Players are out when they recite the scripture incorrectly.  If all the cards are flipped and everyone is able to recite the verse new rounds are played until someone is declared the winner.

Word Run

This game works best if there are 4 or more people playing.  Index cards with tape work but sticky notes are ideal for this one.  Start with each word of a scripture passage written one word per sticky note.   Take all the words and stick them in a jumbled order on one wall.  When the go signal is given the first player of each team runs to the opposite wall and grabs one word, they return to their side and tag in the next player who grabs another word and returns back to the starting place to tag in the next player.  The object is to get all the words back to the starting side then reassemble them in the correct order.  Make sure that there is a separate word jumble area for each team.

Backwards Memory Challenge

Your family needs to already have some scripture memorized for this one but it’s really fun.  On index cards write out the scriptures that your group is familiar with and put all the cards face down on the table.  Next, have one player draw out a card and begin reading the scripture backwards.  The first person who shouts out the correct verse address wins the card.  Cards continue to be drawn counter clockwise.

What games have you played to help with scripture memory?

The post Bible Memory Games You Can Play With Index Cards appeared first on Bible Story Printables.

How do you make scripture real for kids?  I mean change your life, change your behavior, Jesus is my Savior kind of real?  How do you get your kids to apply the scripture they’ve memorized to their life?

What does it take to see the fruit of scripture memory?

The truth is there is absolutely nothing we can do as parents to make kids apply scripture to their actions, good fruit in anyone’s life is an act of the Holy Spirit, and only the Holy Spirit.

For our part all we can do is instruct our children in love and let them see the love in action in our own lives.  Deuteronomy 6:4-7 states:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. “

The most important thing we can impress upon our children is our love for God, and we show our love for God by loving others.

Kids will never live out the scripture they learn in their lives if they don’t see us living it out in our lives.  That means showing grace, being kind, and growing in Christ.

This also means being honest with our kids when we introduce a new scripture.  If the scripture is about faith share a time with your kids where you needed help with your faith, if it’s about forgiveness share a memory with your kids about when you had a hard time forgiving.

If you want kids to apply scripture to their life show them how you apply it to yours.  Don’t be afraid to admit to the times in your life when you messed up.  Remind them you need God’s grace too.

I wish there was a formula or 5 easy steps, but when it comes to teaching your kids about the Lord, formulas and 5 easy steps don’t work.  We do well when we teach our children scripture.  We do better when they see us live that scripture out in our own lives.

The fruit will come, but it will be the work of God in their life not our own.

The post Teaching Scripture Application to Young Children appeared first on Bible Story Printables.

Don’t let anyone convince you kids can’t understand the Bible.  If kids couldn’t understand scripture then we wouldn’t be commanded in scripture to teach it to them. (Deut. 6:4-9)

When it comes to helping kids understand the words they are memorizing here are some things to keep in mind.

1) Try to choose scriptures that can be boiled down into one word.

If you can look at a scripture and say “This verse is about _________”  (faith, love, peace etc.), then chances are it can be understood and explained easily to your kids.

2) Choose verses that you understand and can explain.

This might go without saying, but if you don’t understand the scripture passage you won’t be able to explain it fully to your kids.  If you need to study up on a passage before choosing it for your crew to memorize, by all means study up on the passage first.

3) Choose a more understandable translation

I understand that not everyone might be a fan of this one, but if you’re not personally averse to using a different translation of scripture it might make all the difference for your kids.

4) Shorten the verses.

Choose an easy to understand portion of the verse to memorize.  If your kids are super young sometimes shortening a verse to something more manageable helps them exercise their memory muscle and get into the memory habit without it getting too overwhelming.

5) Don’t be intimidated.

Depending on the age of your kids there are some memory verses they just won’t get.  It’s okay you can still memorize them anyway. Really.  Explaining to them what scripture means is a process and one that will hopefully continue through their whole childhood.  Encourage them to hide God’s Word in their heart and celebrate their victories.

6) Pray for your children’s understanding.

There is no formula to teach your children scripture that will replace the Holy Spirit guiding their understanding.  Ultimately your children understanding scripture is a work of God.  Leave it in his hands.

The post Bible Memory 4 Kids: 6 Quick Tips appeared first on Bible Story Printables.

Why Scripture Memorization? 5 Pros of Bible Memory

Why scripture memorization? Is it important? Will it make us a ‘better Christian? Why should I do this?

If you have children, you will most likely hear these questions at some point when you are teaching them the Bible and having them memorize scripture.

After all, memorizing something takes time and work. Time and work can keep someone from entertainment and ‘fun’. And that is why we need to know the importance of scripture memorization, why we need to be living it in front of them: making it part of ever day living so it isn’t ‘work’ or a ‘chore’ but something that is so integrated into our lives that it is second nature( before the first nature of mankind can attempt to take away the true beauty of scripture memorization.)

Today, we’re going to equip you with 5 Pro’s of Bible Memory – not just our words, but God’s words that you may be able to “write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut 6:9 ESV)

5 Pros

1)  Know God and Jesus

• Knowing God begins with the Word
  • John 1:1 (KJV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
• Jesus showed us the way to knowing the Father was by spending time with Him in his house
  • Luke 2:49 (ESV): “And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

2)  Transform Your Life

• Renewing of the mind
  • Romans 12:2 (KJV): “Do not be conformed to this world,^[but be transformed bythe renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• Correction and Instruction
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV): “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”

3)  Grow in Wisdom

• Principle importance:
  • Proverbs 4:5-7 (KJV) Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
• Is good for all to live and witness
  • James 3:17 (KJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

4)  Equip and Encourage Believers

• Equip Believers:
  • 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV): “But as for you,continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
  • Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV): “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
• Encourage Believers
  • 1 Thess 4:18 (KJV): “Wherefore comfort one another with these words”
  • 1 Peter 4:11 (KJV): “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

5) Share hope with unbelievers

• Share Hope
  • 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV): But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”
  • 1 John 4:16 (KJV): And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

At BM4K our system is simple.  As a homeschooling mother of four children, I know the importance of time management and our product will not have you out searching for suggested extras for hours on end. In fact, everything you need to utilize this curriculum is available in an instant download the minute you checkout of our eStore.

The weekly setup is straightforward and set up very clearly with the first two planing pages. You can view the product overview for a quick glance at what to expect, or view the monthly detail for a more specific outline of each weekly verse.

Each verse is taught over a four day schedule, however you can adapt this to suit your needs.  Our products work for homeschooling families as well as Sunday School settings.

The post Why Memorize Scripture? appeared first on Bible Story Printables.