Band 01 · 18 months to 3 years

Year One

Use one story, refrain, song, and activity each week. The plan includes eleven weeks to establish a routine, followed by fifty-two weeks through the church year. Read the same story during the week and give your child a part they can manage.

Sept 13, 2026 to Nov 21, 202763 weeks5 minutes a nightSelected Bible stories

The nightly shape

How to use it

Choose a regular time to read with your children. Siblings can share the song, story, and prayer. An older child can read or retell while a younger child listens or holds a prop.

Follow the four steps below in the same order. Aim for five minutes. On a difficult night, shorten the reading and keep the prayer.

Sing

Sing this week's song once. Let your child join a word or chorus.

Story

Read this week's story. Repeat the same pages through Saturday.

Say

Say this week's line, then pause for your child to respond.

Pray

Say the four-line prayer below. Turn off the lamp.

The bedtime prayer

Thank you, God, for this good day.
Thank you for Jesus, who shows the way.
Keep us close the whole night through.
Good night, God. We love you.

Repeat the week's story.

Read the same story through the week. Point to familiar details and let your child anticipate what happens next. Adjust the length to their attention.

Use three-week blocks in Ordinary Time.

In week one, read the story. In week two, use the story prop as you read. In week three, invite your child to retell it through words, gestures, or play. Help when they ask.

Repeat the week's refrain.

"God keeps his promise." "Jesus is the Good Shepherd." "He is risen." Say the week's line after the story, then pause so your child can join in. Use the same wording throughout the week.

Use a story prop.

Choose an object that connects to the story, such as a flameless candle, lamb figure, or blue scarf. Let your child use it while you read.

Notice retelling outside the session.

Notice when your child acts out a story or uses its words outside reading time. If this happens regularly, try a Band 02 story or an open question. Adjust based on their response.

Adjust a missed or difficult session.

If you miss a week, continue with the current week. There is no catch-up work. If your child keeps requesting Noah, reread it and keep the scheduled song. Shorten or stop a session when needed.

What to read from

The shelf

The four books below have different uses. Start with the main storybook, then check the others for the readings you need. You do not need to buy all four at once.

Main read-aloud

The Big Picture Story Bible

David R. Helm, illustrated by Gail Schoonmaker · Crossway

This illustrated storybook presents the Bible as a connected account of God's people, place, and rule. Use it as the main read-aloud this year. Check the contents for each scheduled story before the week begins.

Read a short section at a time. Let your child look at the picture before turning the page. If a scheduled story is absent, use another book on this shelf that contains it and keep the week's refrain.

Short readings and outings

The Beginner's Bible for Little Ones

Zonderkidz · board book

A board book with short retellings and pages a young child can handle. Keep it in the reading basket or take it on outings. Use it for brief readings between the main sessions.

Additional read-aloud stories

Read-Aloud Bible Stories, Volume 1

Ella K. Lindvall, illustrated by H. Kent Puckett · Moody

Short sentences and large pictures suit reading aloud. Volume 1 includes Zacchaeus, a man who could not see, Jesus and the children, the storm, and a man who returned to thank Jesus. Use it for the matching weeks. Jonah and the man who could not walk are not in this volume. See the publisher's contents.

Main read-aloud for Band 02

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago · Zonderkidz

Forty-four stories connect the biblical account to Jesus. Use this book in Bands 02 and later as your child is ready for longer readings. Preview the pages before Advent to understand the book's use of "the Rescuer."

Songs used in the plan

The songbook

Sing the week's song together. Use a verse, chorus, or hummed melody your child can follow. The table groups the songs used in this plan.

Song	When it comes up	Why this one
Jesus Loves Me	Any week without a listed song	Sing together or use it as a Band 00 lullaby.
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands	Creation weeks	Add hand motions and invite your child to copy them.
Rise and Shine (Arky Arky) · Who Built the Ark?	Noah	Count the animals and stomp together on "arky arky."
Jesus Loves the Little Children	Jesus and the children	Sing after reading about Jesus welcoming the children.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel	Advent (first verse, humming is fine)	Sing or hum the first verse during Advent. Your child can listen or join in.
Away in a Manger · Silent Night · Joy to the World	Late Advent and Christmastide	Sing these carols with the related nativity stories.
God Is So Good · Deep and Wide	Exodus, the storm, Daniel	Use short phrases and arm motions. Repeat the parts your child joins.
Only a Boy Named David · Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man	The Kings; Lent week 4	Sing the account after reading it. Point out the matching events.
This Little Light of Mine	Pentecost, Paul, any Ordinary week	Hold up a finger as the light and move it with the song.
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (the alleluias) · This Is the Day · Give Thanks	Eastertide; the Psalms weeks	Sing the verses. Invite your child to join the alleluia or "this is the day" response.

Two optional albums. Slugs & Bugs: Sing the Bible by Randall Goodgame uses scripture in songs. Rain for Roots: Big Stories for Little Ones, with Sandra McCracken, Flo Paris, and other musicians, retells Bible stories in song. Use either for listening outside the nightly reading.

The shopping list, by season

The basket

Keep the supplies in a basket near your reading chair. Check what you already have, then gather the remaining items as each season approaches. The printable checklist groups them by date.

Before Nov 29 (Advent 1)

The core

A basket, a lamp your child can switch, and the chairChoose a regular place to sit and read in week one.
The Big Picture Story BibleSee the shelf above.
A toddler-proof nativity setChoose age-appropriate figures your child can move. Check the age label on sets such as Fisher-Price Little People "Christmas Story" or Melissa & Doug wooden nativity.
Advent wreath with four flameless LED candlesUse four battery-operated candles with secure battery compartments. Traditional colors are three purple or blue and one pink. Other colors also work.
A small lamb figureUse an age-appropriate felt, wooden, or plush lamb for the Good Shepherd story from prelude week six.

By Jan 10 (Epiphany)

Exodus & The Kings

A blue scarf or length of blue fabricUse it as Moses' river and the sea in the Exodus and Jonah stories. One yard is enough.
A small jar and five smooth stonesFind the stones together. An adult should handle and store small stones out of a toddler's reach. Keep the jar closed between sessions.
A paper crownMake it from gold card. An adult should cut and fasten it.

By Feb 10 (Ash Wednesday)

Lent

A purple clothPut a purple napkin or runner on the table on Ash Wednesday. Leave it until Easter morning.
The Lent path printable + 40 dot stickersPrint the path below. Add one sticker each night from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, excluding Sundays.
A small pot, soil, and fast seedsPlant wheatgrass or beans during Lent week two. Water them and check for growth together.

By Mar 21 (Palm Sunday)

Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost

A palm branch or one big leafPrepare it during the week before Palm Sunday.
The Holy Week strip printablePrint the strip below. Uncover one picture each day. Keep the empty-tomb sun covered until Easter.
A red clothPut it on the table on Pentecost eve, May 15.
A pinwheelMake or buy one and place it in the window on Pentecost.

Through the long green weeks (May to Nov)

The back catalog

Ark and animal figuresUse an age-appropriate toy ark or reuse the nativity animals for Noah and later retellings.
A laundry basket, a toy boat, a stuffed lionUse these for Jonah's boat, the storm, and Daniel's den. Check what you already have.
A map or globePoint to the places in Paul's travels during the scheduled weeks.
Stationery and a stampWrite a letter to a grandparent together during the Paul weeks.

Sept 13, 2026 to Nov 21, 2027

Week by week

Each row covers Sunday and the next six nights. Sing the listed song, read the story, say the refrain, and pray. Pause after the refrain for your child to respond. Complete the activity during the week. Check which book contains the story before Sunday. Use the eleven prelude weeks to establish the routine before Advent.

Prelude · Ordinary Time

The long green weeks · Sep 13 to Nov 22, 202611 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Sep 13prelude 1	Set the reading time. Read a story your child already knows in the same place each night.	"Story time." (the same two words, every night)	Jesus Loves Me	Choose the chair, lamp, and basket.
Sep 20prelude 2	Creation. Point to the sun, sea, and animals and name them together.	"God made it. God made you."	He's Got the Whole World in His Hands	Put The Big Picture Story Bible in the basket. Read its Creation pages.
Sep 27prelude 3	Read Creation again. Let your child turn the pages.	"God made it. God made you."	He's Got the Whole World in His Hands	Add the four-line bedtime prayer from How to Use It. Repeat it each night.
Oct 4prelude 4	Noah. Read about the ark, the pairs of animals, and the rainbow.	"God keeps his promise."	Rise and Shine (Arky Arky)	Add a toy ark or animal figures to the basket.
Oct 11prelude 5	Read Noah again. Count the animals and find the rainbow.	"God keeps his promise."	Who Built the Ark?	Repeat the book and song. Notice any words your child joins.
Oct 18prelude 6	The Good Shepherd finds the lost sheep and carries it home.	"Jesus is the Good Shepherd."	Jesus Loves Me	Keep an age-appropriate lamb figure near the reading chair.
Oct 25prelude 7	Read the Good Shepherd again.	"Jesus is the Good Shepherd."	Jesus Loves Me	Hide the lamb, find it, and carry it home. Invite your child to take a turn.
Nov 1prelude 8	Jesus welcomes the children.	"Jesus loves the little children."	Jesus Loves the Little Children	Let your child hold the book or point to a child in the picture.
Nov 8prelude 9	Read about Jesus and the children again.	"Jesus loves the little children."	Jesus Loves the Little Children	Let your child choose Creation, Noah, the Good Shepherd, or Jesus and the children each night.
Nov 15prelude 10	Let your child choose a story from the basket.	"Story time."	This Little Light of Mine	Set out the unlit Advent wreath and empty nativity stable.
Nov 22prelude 11	Read a story from the basket. Show the empty manger and say, 'Jesus isn't here yet.'	"We are waiting for Jesus."	O Come, O Come Emmanuel (first verse, hummed)	Prepare the wreath and stable. Store the figures out of reach until their scheduled arrival.

Advent

Waiting · Nov 29 to Dec 20, 20264 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Nov 29wk 12	Read Creation and the first promise that God would send a rescuer.	"We are waiting for Jesus."	O Come, O Come Emmanuel	Switch on candle 1 with your child. Add Mary's figure.
Dec 6wk 13	Abraham looks at the stars and hears God's promise.	"We are waiting for Jesus."	Father Abraham	Switch on candle 2. Add Joseph. Look at the stars together one evening.
Dec 13wk 14	The angel visits Mary and tells her a baby is coming.	"We are waiting for Jesus."	Away in a Manger	Switch on candle 3. Add the donkey and sheep. Leave the stable empty.
Dec 20wk 15	Read about the journey to Bethlehem and the place prepared for Jesus' birth.	"Almost. We are waiting for Jesus."	Silent Night	Switch on candle 4. Put the shepherds across the room and move them closer each night.

Christmastide

He is here · Dec 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 20272 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Dec 27wk 16	Jesus is born. On Christmas morning, let your child place Jesus in the manger.	"Jesus is here!"	Joy to the World	Read the same nativity pages for twelve nights. Switch on all four flameless candles.
Jan 3wk 17	The wise men follow the star. Epiphany is Wed Jan 6.	"Jesus is here!"	We Three Kings (chorus)	Move the wise men across the room during the week. Bring them to the nativity on Wednesday.

Epiphany · Exodus

God made a way · Jan 10 to Jan 24, 20273 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Jan 10wk 18	Read about baby Moses in the basket on the river.	"God made a way."	God Is So Good	Pack away the nativity together and say, 'until next year.' Use a blue scarf as the river.
Jan 17wk 19	Moses and the sea. God's people are trapped, and God makes a way through.	"God made a way."	God Is So Good	Arrange the blue scarf between two chairs. Walk through the sea together each night.
Jan 24wk 20	Read about the sea again. Invite your child to tell you what happens.	"God made a way."	Deep and Wide	Notice whether your child retells the story during play or conversation.

The Kings

Small, and chosen · Jan 31 to Feb 7, 20272 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Jan 31wk 21	Read about David being chosen while he is a young shepherd.	"God looks at the heart."	Only a Boy Named David	Prepare a paper crown and a closed jar with five smooth stones. Keep small stones out of your child's reach.
Feb 7wk 22	Read David and the giant. Use a playful voice and avoid frightening details.	"God looks at the heart."	Only a Boy Named David	Put the purple cloth on the table on Ash Wednesday, Wed Feb 10.

Lent

Walking toward the cross · Feb 14 to Mar 14, 20275 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Feb 14wk 23	Read about Jesus helping the man who could not walk.	"Jesus makes things right."	Jesus Loves Me	Put the Lent path on the wall. Add one sticker each day, excluding Sundays, until all forty stones are marked.
Feb 21wk 24	Jesus feeds the crowd with a boy's lunch.	"Jesus makes things right."	Praise Him, Praise Him	Plant a seed in a small pot. Water it and check its growth through Lent.
Feb 28wk 25	Jesus calms the storm.	"Jesus makes things right."	Deep and Wide	Continue the stone path and tend the seed. Repeat this week's reading.
Mar 7wk 26	Jesus sees Zacchaeus in the tree.	"Jesus makes things right."	Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man	Introduce the empty tomb page. Say, 'Jesus died, and then he was alive again.'
Mar 14wk 27	Return to the Good Shepherd finding the lost sheep.	"Jesus is the Good Shepherd."	The Lord Is My Shepherd (any simple setting)	Prepare a palm branch or large leaf for the following Sunday.

Holy Week

One week, day by day · Mar 21, 20271 week

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Mar 21wk 28	Palm Sunday: wave the branch and say hosanna. Thursday: break bread at dinner. Friday: read briefly about Jesus' death. Saturday: sing without a story.	"Hosanna!" → "It's quiet tonight."	Hosanna (call and response)	Put the Holy Week strip on the fridge. Uncover one picture a day. Keep the empty-tomb sun covered until Sunday.

Eastertide

Fifty days of alleluia · Mar 28 to May 9, 20277 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
Mar 28wk 29	On Easter morning, read about the empty tomb and uncover the sun.	"He is risen!" Response: "He is risen indeed!"	Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (alleluias only)	Use the call-and-response at breakfast for fifty days. Invite your child to say the response.
Apr 4wk 30	Read about the empty tomb again and Mary in the garden.	"He is risen!"	Alleluia (any simple one)	Check the seed pot. If a shoot has appeared, point to it and say, 'alive.'
Apr 11wk 31	Jesus appears to his friends and says, 'Peace.'	"He is risen!"	This Is the Day	Return the familiar books to the basket. Keep the tomb page ready to read.
Apr 18wk 32	Jesus shares a fish breakfast with his friends on the beach.	"He is risen!"	I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy	Prepare breakfast together once this week. Include bread and fish if practical.
Apr 25wk 33	Return to the beach breakfast. Invite your child to retell it.	"He is risen!"	I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy	Let your child begin the Easter call-and-response. Take turns leading.
May 2wk 34	Jesus goes up to heaven. 'I am with you always.' Ascension Day is Thu May 6.	"Jesus is with me."	Jesus Loves Me	Look at the sky together after reading.
May 9wk 35	Jesus' friends wait and pray together. Pentecost is next Sunday.	"Jesus is with me."	God Is So Good	Make a pinwheel and put out the red cloth on Saturday night.

Pentecost

Wind and fire · May 16, 20271 week

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
May 16wk 36	Read about Pentecost, the wind, the flames, and people hearing the message in their own languages.	"God's Spirit is with me."	This Little Light of Mine	Put out the red cloth and pinwheel. Switch on a flameless candle at dinner.

Ordinary Time

The long green weeks · May 23 to Nov 21, 202727 weeks

Sunday	The story this week	The line to say	The song	The ritual
May 23wk 37	Read about Jesus welcoming the children.	"Jesus loves the little children."	Jesus Loves the Little Children	Read outdoors once a week during summer if practical.
May 30wk 38	Read about Jesus and the children again.	"Jesus loves the little children."	Jesus Loves the Little Children	Continue the routine.
Jun 6wk 39	Invite your child to retell Jesus and the children.	"Jesus loves the little children."	Jesus Loves the Little Children	Continue the routine.
Jun 13wk 40	Read Jonah and the big fish.	"God is patient."	Who Did Swallow Jonah?	Use the blue scarf as the sea and a laundry basket as the boat.
Jun 20wk 41	Read Jonah again.	"God is patient."	Who Did Swallow Jonah?	Continue the routine.
Jun 27wk 42	Invite your child to retell Jonah.	"God is patient."	Who Did Swallow Jonah?	Continue the routine.
Jul 4wk 43	Read Daniel and the lions.	"God keeps me safe."	God Is So Good	Use stuffed lions and a blanket to make the den.
Jul 11wk 44	Read Daniel again.	"God keeps me safe."	God Is So Good	Continue the routine.
Jul 18wk 45	Invite your child to retell Daniel.	"God keeps me safe."	God Is So Good	Continue the routine.
Jul 25wk 46	Read Joseph and the colorful coat.	"God has a plan."	Father Abraham	Let your child wear a favorite bright shirt for the story.
Aug 1wk 47	Read Joseph again. Include the brothers' apology.	"God has a plan."	Father Abraham	Continue the routine.
Aug 8wk 48	Invite your child to retell Joseph.	"God has a plan."	Father Abraham	Continue the routine.
Aug 15wk 49	Return to the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep.	"Jesus is the Good Shepherd."	The Lord Is My Shepherd	Let your child hide the lamb. Find it together.
Aug 22wk 50	Read the lost sheep again.	"Jesus is the Good Shepherd."	The Lord Is My Shepherd	Continue the routine.
Aug 29wk 51	Invite your child to retell the lost sheep.	"Jesus is the Good Shepherd."	The Lord Is My Shepherd	Continue the routine.
Sep 5wk 52	Read about Jesus walking on water or calming the storm.	"Don't be afraid. Jesus is here."	Deep and Wide	Use a toy boat to act out the storm and calm during supervised bath time.
Sep 12wk 53	Read the storm again.	"Don't be afraid. Jesus is here."	Deep and Wide	Continue the routine.
Sep 19wk 54	Invite your child to retell the storm.	"Don't be afraid. Jesus is here."	Deep and Wide	Continue the routine.
Sep 26wk 55	Read about Paul's shipwreck and travels.	"God's family goes everywhere."	This Little Light of Mine	Point to places on a map or globe. Explain that Jesus' friends traveled to tell others about him.
Oct 3wk 56	Read about Paul writing letters to his friends.	"God's family goes everywhere."	This Little Light of Mine	Write a letter to a grandparent together.
Oct 10wk 57	Invite your child to retell Paul's story.	"God's family goes everywhere."	This Little Light of Mine	Continue the routine.
Oct 17wk 58	Psalms week. Sing 'The Lord is my shepherd' at bedtime.	"The Lord is my shepherd."	The Lord Is My Shepherd	Use the song and prayer without story pages.
Oct 24wk 59	Psalms week. Read or sing 'This is the day.'	"This is the day the Lord has made."	This Is the Day	Continue the routine.
Oct 31wk 60	Read the final stories about God making all things new, including the end of tears and the picture of the lion and lamb.	"God makes everything new."	Joy to the World (yes, in November)	Read the last pages, close the book, and say, 'and then we start again.'
Nov 7wk 61	Read All Things New again. Talk about bringing back the Advent candle.	"God makes everything new."	Joy to the World	Continue the routine.
Nov 14wk 62	Let your child choose a favorite story from the year.	"Story time." (whatever your child asks for)	Your child's favorite of the year	Write down the story they choose. Use the note when planning next year.
Nov 21wk 63	Psalms week. Read or sing 'Give thanks.' Thanksgiving is Thu Nov 25. Year One ends this week. Advent 1 is next Sunday, Nov 28.	"Thank you, God."	Give Thanks	At dinner, invite each person to name something they are thankful for. Bring out the wreath and empty stable on Saturday. Set aside fifteen minutes to review the plan.

Advent 1 of Year Two is Sunday, Nov 28, 2027. Repeat the four Advent stories and candle ritual. Invite your child to switch on the flameless candle.

Print on letter paper, tape to the wall

Printables

Print these five PDFs on letter-size paper. Let your child color or mark the seasonal trackers. Use one sheet per child or work on one together.

Advent star sky

Color one dated mark each night from Nov 29 to Christmas Eve. The twenty-six marks include four Sunday candles. Switch on the matching flameless candle each Sunday.

PDF · 1 page

Lent stone path

Add one sticker to the forty-stone path each night from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. Skip Sundays.

PDF · 1 page

Holy Week strip

Uncover one panel each day from Palm Sunday to Easter. Keep the final panel covered until Easter morning.

PDF · 1 page

The basket checklist

Check off the supplies as you gather them. The sheet groups items by the date you need them.

PDF · 1 page

The bedtime card

Keep this card near the reading chair. It lists the four steps, the prayer, and the year's refrains for any caregiver leading the session.

PDF · 1 page