These are links to Kids' Sunday School lessons I'm teaching or have taught at Caldwell Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC.
These are links to Kids' Sunday School lessons I'm teaching or have taught at Caldwell Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC.
Summary: Today's Sunday School lesson uses the video, "Children's Chapel - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman," to share the story of MATTHEW 15:21–28.
Peter said, "Explain the parable to us." "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them."
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Summary: Today’s Sunday School lesson, titled "Activism - Students Take Action After Hearing Couple's Honeymoon Story," connects our Black History Month focus with the biblical call to put our faith into action. Students will hear the story of the Caldwells, a Black couple who were victims of racial injustice 60 years ago when they were denied a honeymoon stay at a resort. This narrative highlights how a group of fifth graders practiced "Good Citizenship" by advocating for the couple, eventually securing them a "honeymoon redo" through their letters and activism. By exploring the pillars of Caring and Citizenship, we will teach our children that "the time is always right to do what is right" and that even young people can "protect the safety and rights of others". Our goal is to inspire them to see compassion as a catalyst for social justice, showing that their voices can truly make a difference in their communities.
Bible Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
The Connection: Explain that the children in Birmingham didn't wait for permission to be leaders; they were the example that changed the world.
This 26 minute video is an excerpt of the longer documentary, "The Children's March | 1963." (41 minutes) This edited version may be more appropriate for younger children, ages 7 - 13.
Main Activity: "My Voice, My Message" (Ages 7–10)
The children in the march carried signs that simply said "It's Time" or shared their desire for "Equal Rights".
The Task: Have the students design their own protest signs. Ask them: "If you saw something unfair in our world today, what would your sign say to help people understand?"
The Discussion: Focus on the idea that "protesting" is a way of telling a difficult truth in public so that things can change for the better.
Alternate Activity: "Helping Hands" (Ages 5–6)
If the footage of fire hoses or jail feels too heavy for the youngest students, focus on the "Marching Feet" and "Helping Hands" aspect.
The Activity: Have the children trace their feet or hands on paper. Inside, they can draw or write one way they can be "brave" or "kind" to someone who is being treated unfairly.
The Message: "Even small feet can march toward fairness."
My extensive (multi-hour, 25 page) conversation with Gemini AI (using Nano Banana) is archived in this Google Doc.
This lesson can pair well with the documentary video, "Charles Moore: I Fight with My Camera."
For more related resources, see "Racial Healing Through Digital Storytelling," the "Examples" page, and the "Christian Digital Storytelling" on Storychasers.org.