Mission Control Emotions: 9-Week Kids' Ministry Curriculum

Help kids understand their big feelings and handle them God’s way!

👀 Want a peek inside? Download a free sample lesson →

Mission Control: Emotions is a nine-week kids’ ministry series about the gift of emotions. For many kids (and grown-ups!), life can feel like a roller coaster of ups and downs, led by whatever they happen to feel in the moment. This series helps kids see that their emotions are good, that God gave them to us as indicators of the condition of our hearts, and that with His help, we can handle every one of them in a godly way. Each week, kids practice two simple steps for any big emotion: RECOGNIZE what’s going on in my heart, and REACH OUT to God and godly grown-ups for help.

Now for ages 4–11! Along with the full elementary teachings, this series includes Little Ones lessons for ages 4–5 that teach the same topic and memory verse each week, so your whole kids’ ministry learns the same truth at the same time.

The Lessons

• Week 1: Introduction (Proverbs 4:23). Our emotions are a gift from God, kind of like the dashboard in a car. They show us the condition of our hearts! Kids learn that when a big emotion shows up, they can recognize it and reach out for help.
• Week 2: Anger (Proverbs 14:29). Anger itself isn’t a sin, but acting out of it can be. With a memorable Diet Coke and Mentos object lesson, kids learn three ways to control their anger: be patient, be forgiving, and use self-control.
• Week 3: Fear (Isaiah 41:10). God has not given us a spirit of fear! Kids look at fear at night, fear of what others think, and fear of failure, and they discover that they can be courageous because God is always with them.
• Week 4: Sadness (Romans 8:28). Sadness is part of life in this fallen world, but godly sorrow leads us back to God. When life gives us lemons, kids learn that God can work all things together for our good (and yes, there’s lemonade!).
• Week 5: Anxiety (Philippians 4:6–7). Kids learn to trade worry for trust by standing on God’s Word, being confident in who God says they are, and being disciplined so the “what ifs” don’t win. A trust fall helps them feel what it means to trust.
• Week 6: Disappointment (Psalm 16:11). God’s plan, not mine! When things don’t go our way, kids learn to trust God’s plan, embrace God’s way, and trust God’s timing.
• Week 7: Loneliness (Psalm 139:7–10). We are never alone, because God is always with us. Kids also learn to step out of their comfort zones to make good, godly friends and to notice others who might feel left out.
• Week 8: Joy (Nehemiah 8:10). Choose joy! Kids discover the difference between happiness and joy, and that joy is a fruit of the Spirit that grows as we spend time in God’s presence. It can be our strength, even in hard times.
• Week 9: Surprise (Romans 12:10). As God’s kids, we get to be the surprise! This fun finale starts with a mystery box and sends kids out to outdo one another in showing honor through surprise blessings at home, at school, and at church.

What's Included

• Get Started series overview with an at-a-glance chart, week-by-week guide, supply list, and leader tips
• Fully scripted teaching guides for all 9 lessons, with slide and click cues (PDF)
• PowerPoint slide deck for each lesson
• "Think on It" parent take-home for each lesson, with In the Car, Hanging Out, Dinner Discussions, and At Bedtime sections (PDF)
• Memory verse cards for every lesson, plus a Series Scriptures page with Scripture memory ideas
• Parent Memory Verse Pages: one-page, fridge-ready lists of every memory verse (one for the elementary series and one for Little Ones, with motions)
• Small Group Questions for every lesson, written for ages 6–7, 8–9, and 10–11
• Small Group Activities guide with two hands-on activities per week plus anytime activities, and 14 printable templates (My Heart Dashboard, Name That Feeling cards, Cool Down cards, Brave Verse cards, Find a Friend Bingo, Gratitude ABCs, Blessing Mission cards, and more)
• Printable small group worksheets for Week 1 and Week 2
• Fonts Used page and Copyright & Terms of Use

Little Ones Lessons (Ages 4–5)

• A Little Ones Leader Guide with lesson flow, teaching tips, and lessons at a glance
• Nine simple lessons, one for each week, each with a Bible Point, a short memory verse with motions, a welcome activity, an object lesson, a Bible story, a hands-on activity, and a prayer (PDF)
• Bible stories just for little ones: Hannah Pours Out Her Heart, Jonah Gets Grumpy, Jesus Calms the Storm, Jesus Cries with His Friends, Elijah and the Ravens, Abraham and Sarah Wait for Isaac, The Lost Sheep, Paul and Silas Sing in Jail, and Friends Lower Their Friend Through the Roof
• A “Tell Your Grown-Up” line and a parent take-home every week so families hear what their child learned
• Printable craft templates for every week: Feelings Faces & My Heart, Stop & Choose Stoplight, Jesus Is in My Boat, Jesus Cares Heart, God Takes Care of Me Raven, Count the Stars, Jesus Found Me Sheep, Joy Shaker Decorations, and Surprise Blessing Cards

Want Sunday School Lessons Too?

The Mission Control Emotions Sunday School Companion (sold separately) builds on each week with a brand-new Bible story lesson, the same memory verse, a Leader Preparation page, a hands-on activity, and activity sheets for ages 4–5, 6–7, 8–9, and 10–11. See the Sunday School Companion →

Want both? Get the Mission Control Emotions Complete Bundle with the Curriculum and the Sunday School Companion together, and save $10! See the Complete Bundle →

Good to Know

• This is a digital download. You'll receive one zip file of printable PDFs and PowerPoint slides; no physical items will be shipped.
• A few teachings invite you to add your own stories or photos, and some object lessons use simple supplies (like Diet Coke and Mentos, lemons, and balloons). Everything is listed in the Get Started guide.
• Your purchase includes a license for one church, ministry, classroom, or family. See the Terms of Use included in your download.