Strong Kids for Middlers teaches students the Bible timeline from Genesis to Revelation.
Students understand how God’s plan unfolded in the past, what His plan is for today, and how His plan will unfold in the future. They’ll gain confidence by knowing how they fit into God’s plan.
Quarterly Emphasis
Year 1
- Creation and Promises
- Commands and Promises
- Conquest and Potential
- Conflicts and Problems
Year 2
- Crowns and Prophets
- Crowns and Prison
- Christ and Provision
- Church and Peace
BuildUP Themes
Here are the major emphases that are measurable in this age group:
- Believe the gospel (23)
- Understand Biblical ethics (26)
- Internalize godliness (17)
- Learn doctrine (34)
- Develop life skills (24)
- Uplift others (12)
- Prepare to serve (14)
2022–2023 (Year 1)
Creation and Promises
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | God Creates the World |
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1 | God Gave Us His Word | John 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; James 1:22-25; 2 Pet. 1:21 | God’s Word tells us about God and His world. |
2 | God Created the World | Gen. 1:1–2:3 | God created the universe from nothing in six days. |
3 | God Made Adam and Eve | Gen. 1:26–2:25 | God made people in His image. |
Unit 2 | God Shows Grace and Mercy |
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4 | God’s Grace Covered Adam’s Sin | Gen. 2:9, 16, 17; 3; 4 | God offers saving grace to all sinners. |
5 | God’s Grace Rescued Noah | Gen. 6:1–9:17 | God’s grace to Noah helps us understand saving grace. |
6 | God’s Mercy Preserved the Nations | Gen. 10; 11 | God can carry out His plans no matter what. |
Unit 3 | God Begins His Salvation Plan |
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7 | God Promised to Save the World | Gen. 11:1–12:4; 15 | God’s Son fulfilled God’s promise to bless the nations. |
8 | God Tested Abraham’s Faith | Gen. 18:1-15; 21:1-8; 22:1-19 | God teaches us to have faith in Him. |
9 | God Choose Jacob over Esau | Gen. 25:19-34; 27 | God is worthy of our trust no matter our circumstances. |
10 | God Taught Jacob about Trust | Gen. 28:1-5, 10-22; 29:1–30:24; 32; 33; 35 | God wants us to trust His plan. |
11 | God Used Joseph’s Brothers | Gen. 37 | God’s plans will always come to pass. |
12 | God Helped Joseph in Egypt | Gen. 39–41 | God’s plan includes His enabling presence. |
13 | God Preserved Life | Gen. 42–50 | God’s plan is always for the good of His people. |
Commands and Promises
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | God Delivers His People |
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1 | God Is Sovereign over All | Exod. 1–2:22 | God fulfills His plan no matter who tries to stop Him. |
2 | God Is the Helper from on High | Exod. 2:23–4:17 | God is both high above us and near to help us. |
3 | God Is Promise Keeper | Exod. 4:18–7:13 | God is trustworthy because He keeps His promises. |
4 | God Is Savior | Matt. 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20 | God’s Son is the only way of salvation from sin. |
5 | God Is True | Exod. 7:14–10:29 | God is the only true, living God. |
6 | God Is Redeemer | Exod. 11; 12 | God offers us redemption for our sins. |
Unit 2 | God Teaches His People |
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7 | God Is Wise Leader | Exod. 13:17–15:21 | God leads us with wisdom and power. |
8 | God Is Provider | Exod. 15:22–17:16 | God cares about and provides for us. |
9 | God Is Holy | Exod. 19 | God’s holiness separates Him from sinners. |
10 | God Is Instructor | Exod. 20 | God is the solution to the problem of sin. |
11 | God Is Glorious | Exod. 24; 32:1–34:8 | God’s justice, grace, and mercy are wonderfully amazing. |
12 | God Is Atoner of Sin | Exod. 25; 35–40; Lev. 10:1-10 | God offers us with the final solution for our sin. |
13 | God Is Gracious Giver | Num. 13:1–14:38 | God delights in giving gracious blessings. |
Conquest and Potential
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | Israel Rejects God’s Grace |
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1 | God Is Just Judge | Num. 14:39-45; 15:32-41 | God both judges sin and grants mercy. |
2 | God Is in Charge | Num. 16; 17 | God uses leaders to accomplish His will. |
3 | God Is Honorable | Num. 20:1-13 | God wants us to glorify Him with our lives. |
4 | God Is Merciful and Gracious | Num. 21:4-9 | God sent Jesus to be the final sacrifice for our sins. |
5 | God Is Unstoppable | Num. 22–24 | God’s will could never be stopped or changed. |
6A | God Is Praiseworthy | Deut. 32–34 | God always deserves our worship and praise. |
Unit 2 | Israel Accepts God’s Grace |
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6B | Fear and Faith in Jericho | Josh. 1; 2 | God is worthy of our courageous faith. |
7 | Israel’s Step of Faith | Josh. 3; 4 | God requires us to demonstrate our faith. |
8 | Faith in the Risen Christ | John 18–20 | God saves all who put their faith in Christ. |
9 | Faith Lessons around Jericho | Josh. 5:13–6:27 | God is faithful to His promises. |
10 | The Other Side of Faithfulness | Josh. 7:1–8:29 | God is faithful to punish sin. |
11 | Israel’s Lapse of Faith | Josh. 9 | God faithfully gives His wisdom to those who seek it. |
12 | Faith Is the Victory! | Josh. 10:1-15, 40-43; 11:16-23 | God’s faithfully enables us to do His will. |
13 | Joshua Challenges Israel’s Faith | Josh. 13–24 | God’s faithfulness should motivate us to obey Him. |
Conflicts and Problems
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | Help for Kingless Israel |
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1 | Israel’s Report Card | Judg. 1:1–3:6 | God is always faithful even when we fail to live by faith. |
2 | God Prodded Israel | Judg. 3:7-31 | God is always faithful because He is sovereign over all. |
3 | Deborah Shared Her Faith | Judg. 4; 5 | God uses faithful people to encourage our faith in Him. |
4 | Gideon Feared the Enemy | Judg. 6 | God wants us to fear Him above all else. |
5 | Gideon Defeated the Enemy | Judg. 7; 8:10-12 | God expects us to take Him at His Word. |
6 | Jephthah Led Israel Sincerely | Judg. 11 | God wants us to serve Him sincerely. |
7 | Jephthah Judged Israel’s Insincerity | Judg. 12 | God knows our hearts perfectly. |
8 | God’s Sovereign Plan for Samson | Judg. 13 | God wants to use our lives for His glory. |
9 | Samson’s Strength and Weakness | Judg. 14:1–16:3 | God blesses us when we walk by faith rather than sight. |
10 | Samson’s Final Victory | Judg. 16:4-31 | God expects us to humbly submit to His truth. |
Unit 2 | Hope for Kingless Israel |
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11 | Micah’s Religious Feelings | Judg. 17 | God wants us to worship and serve Him according to truth. |
12 | Dan’s Religious Greed | Judg. 18 | God wants us to serve Him rather than ourselves. |
13 | Benjamin’s Only Hope | Judg. 20; 21 | God wants us to rejoice in Shiloh, His final solution for sin. |
2023–2024 (Year 2)
Crowns and Prophets
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | Samuel: God’s Last Judge |
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1 | God Answered Hannah’s Humble Prayer | 1 Sam. 1:1–2:11 | God blesses us when we seek to give of ourselves. |
2 | Samuel Listened to God | 1 Sam. 3 | God is just in dealing with sin. |
3 | God Refused to Abandon Israel | 1 Sam. 4–7 | God remains faithful even when we are not. |
Unit 2 | Saul: The People’s King |
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4 | Israel Wanted a Warrior King | 1 Sam. 8–12 | God’s character is worthy of our complete trust. |
5 | Greedy King Saul Disobeyed God | 1 Sam. 15:1-29 | God desires our obedience above all else. |
6 | David Aimed to Defend God’s Name | 1 Sam. 16:1-13; 17 | God does great things through those who know Him well. |
7 | God Protected David | 1 Sam. 18; 19 | God does His will no matter what people try to do. |
8 | David Respected God’s Anointed | 1 Sam. 24; 26 | God is always good even when life gets hard. |
9 | Saul’s Reign Ended | 1 Sam. 28:3-25; 31 | God troubles those who reject Him. |
Unit 3 | David: God’s King |
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10 | God’s Royal Promise | 2 Sam. 5–7; Ps. 89: | God’s promises reveal His amazing grace. |
11 | Daivd Sought Forgiveness | 2 Sam. 11:1–12:25 | God offers to forgive us for our sins. |
12 | God’s Grand Temple | 1 Kings 3:5–8:66 | God’s name is greatly to be praised. |
13 | Solomon’s Unwise Choices | 1 Kings 9:1–11:25 | God warns us about the consequences of sin. |
Crowns and Prison
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | Divided Kingdom |
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1 | Israel Ripped Apart | 1 Kings 11:26–13:34 | God judges disobedience and blesses obedience. |
2 | God Defeated Baal | 1 Kings 16:29–18:46 | God hears us because He is real. |
3 | Ahab Paid for Stealing | 1 Kings 21; 22:1-40; 2 Kings 9 | God wants us to treat others with His love and kindness. |
4 | Isaiah Told of a Coming King | Isaiah 7; 9:1-7 | God will send Jesus to be the perfect King of Kings. |
5 | Elisha Revealed God’s Heart | 2 Kings 2:1-14; 4:1-37; 5 | God is the provider of needs. |
6 | Joash Stopped Listening | 2 Chron. 22–24 (2 Kings 11) | God desires our lifelong devotion. |
7 | Jonah Got a Second Chance | Jonah | God saves us according to His abundant mercy. |
Unit 2 | Exile and Return |
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8 | Israel Finally Fell | 2 Kings 17; 18:9-12 | God’s warnings about sin are serious. |
9 | God Answered Hezekiah | 2 Kings 18; 19; 2 Chron. 29:13–32:23; Isa. 37:21-38 | God hears and answers our prayers. |
10 | Judah’s Light Dimmed | 2 Kings 22:1–25:30; 2 Chron. 25; 26; 36:1-21 | God shows compassion to the humble. |
11 | Daniel’s Historic Interpretation | Dan. 1; 2 | God controls history as the sovereign over all. |
12 | Esther’s Bravery in Exile | Esther | God’s plans are unstoppable because He is all-powerful. |
13 | Jerusalem’s Restoration | Ezra, Nehemiah | God offers us hope and forgiveness when we sin. |
Christ and Provision
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | Jesus, the Powerful Teacher |
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1 | Jesus Is the Eternal Word of God | Matt. 3; John 1:1-28 | Jesus is the eternal Son of God. |
2 | Jesus Is Perfectly Holy | Matt. 4:1-11 | Jesus qualifies to be our Savior because He is perfectly holy. |
3 | Jesus Offers Eternal Life | John 3:1-21; 4:1-42 | Jesus provides the only way to eternal life. |
4 | Jesus Has Power over Creation | Matt. 21:18-22; Luke 5:1-11; Mark 4:35-41 | Jesus directs His Creation to accomplish His will. |
5 | Jesus Has Power over Diseases | Matt. 8:1-3, 14, 15; 14:14; Luke 13:11-13; John 9 | Jesus has power over sin’s effects on our bodies. |
6 | Jesus Condemns Hypocrisy | Mark 2:13-17; 3:1-6 | Jesus’ true followers worship Him from their hearts. |
7 | Jesus Has Power over Death | John 11 | Jesus has the power to raise the dead to life. |
Unit 2 | Jesus, the Willing Sacrifice |
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8 | Jesus Offered Himself | Matt. 21:1-17; Luke 19:28-48 | Jesus offers us true peace. |
9 | Jesus Accepted Sacrificial Service | Mark 14:1-11 | Jesus deserves our honor and sacrificial devotion. |
10 | Jesus Illustrated His Death | Luke 22:7-30 | Jesus gave us a way to remember His death. |
11 | Jesus Surrendered to God’s Will | Luke 22:31–23:56 | Jesus willingly died for the sins of the world. |
12 | Jesus Conquered Death | Matt. 28:1-10; Luke 24:36-49; John 21:1-17 | Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the dead. |
13 | Jesus Commissioned His Followers | Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:45-53 | Jesus commanded us to tell others about new life in Christ. |
Church and Peace
Title | Passage(s) | Theme | |
Unit 1 | The Church Begins |
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1 | The Church Caught Fire | Acts 1; 2 | Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us live for God. |
2 | The Church Prayed for Boldness | Acts 3:1–4:31 | The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to serve Him courageously. |
3 | The Church Feared and Flourished | Acts 4:32–5:16 | God wants us to serve Him out of respect for Him. |
4 | The Church Endured Persecution | Acts 5:17-8:4 | God’s servants sometimes experience rejection and persecution. |
Unit 2 | The Church Grows |
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5 | Paul Saw the Light | Acts 9:1-31 | God will save anyone who trusts in Jesus for salvation. |
6 | The Gospel Spread | Acts 10:1–11:18 | God wants all people to be saved. |
7 | The Gospel Went Global | Acts 13:1-5; 16 | God directs us to people He wants us to reach. |
8 | Uproar in Ephesus | Acts 19 | The Holy Spirit helps us persevere in our service to God. |
9 | Broken Ship, Solid Faith | Acts 21:1-6, 26-30; 25:10-12; 27; 28 | God’s servants at times experience rejection and persecution. |
Unit 3 | The Church and the Last Days |
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10 | Jesus Will Rapture His Church | 2 Cor. 5:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 5:1-14 | Jesus will reward believers for their service for Him. |
11 | God Will Trouble the World | Rev. 6:1–18:24 | God will trouble sinners that they might accept His grace. |
12 | Jesus Will Return to Reign | Isa. 2:2, 4; 11:6-9; Rev. 19:7–20:6 | Jesus will reign as the perfect King of Kings in His Kingdom. |
13 | Jesus Will Make All Things New | Rev. 20:7–22:9 | Jesus will judge sinners and create a new home for believers. |