Lifeway’s Levels of Biblical Learning® is a discipleship framework for birth through high school, structuring biblical teaching across 10 core concepts (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible, Salvation, Creation, Church, People, Family, Community & World). It uses eight developmental age ranges to tailor understanding.
Age Group Definitions
The framework covers the following age ranges designed to match spiritual maturity and cognitive ability:
Younger Preschool (Birth–Age 2): Sensing love and trust.
Middle Preschool (Ages 3–4): Beginning to identify Bible stories/people.
Older Preschool (Pre-K/Kindergarten): Seeing Jesus as helper, forming conclusions about God.
Younger Kids (Grades 1-2): Interested in Bible study and basic gospel concepts.
Middle Kids (Grades 3-4): Asking deeper questions, learning values.
Preteens (Grades 5-6): Seeking personal faith and developing a value system.
Middle School (Grades 7-8): Deeper exploration of foundational truths.
High School (Grades 9-12): Applying complex biblical concepts.
Key Concept Areas (10 Areas)
The Levels of Biblical Learning covers 10 concept areas that are taught in an age-appropriate manner, from infancy through high school:
God: His nature and character.
Jesus: His life, death, and resurrection.
Holy Spirit: His role in the believer's life (introduced to school-age).
Bible: The word of God.
Salvation: The gospel message (introduced to school-age).
Creation: God's handiwork.
Church: The body of Christ.
People: Created in God's image.
Family: God's design for relationships.
Community & World: The role of the church in the world.
Key Resources
Ages and Stages: Levels of Biblical Learning Booklet: A comprehensive guide to these concepts.
Lifeway Kids Ministry Blog: Often highlights tips for teaching these levels.