Leader’s guide · 12 weeks

Leader’s guide: The Pilgrim's Progress (For Children)

John Bunyan

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Cover of The Pilgrim's Progress (For Children)

This guide takes your group through The Pilgrim’s Progress (For Children) in twelve weeks, one short chapter each week. It’s written for children aged about 6 to 12 and works just as well for a Sunday school class, a homeschool co-op or a family around the kitchen table. Christian’s journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City is an adventure story, and every scene pictures something true about following God.

Each session takes about 30 minutes. Welcome everyone and say the memory verse together (3 minutes). Read the chapter aloud (5–7 minutes). Talk together using the chapter’s three questions, which come with answers to help you (5–10 minutes). Do the activity (10 minutes). Then close by praying the chapter’s short prayer, or one of your own (2 minutes).

To prepare, read the chapter yourself beforehand so you can read it with expression, and glance at the activity so you know what you’ll need. Most weeks need nothing more than paper and crayons or pencils, and some need nothing at all. Keep it warm and unhurried: if the children are enjoying the talk, it’s fine to shorten the activity.

Week 1 — The Man Who Cried, "What Shall I Do?"

Christian lives in the City of Destruction and is crushed by a heavy burden on his back that he cannot get off. Evangelist points him toward a little gate and a shining light, and Christian runs for it with his fingers in his ears, crying, “Life! Life! Eternal life!” The big idea: when we see that something is wrong inside us, we don’t have to carry it alone — we can run to Jesus, the true Light.

“What must I do to be saved?” — from Acts 16

Memory verse

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your house.

Acts 16:31

Talk together

  1. Why did Christian cry out, “What shall I do?”

    He read in a book that his city would be destroyed, and he felt a great, heavy burden on his back that he couldn’t get off.

  2. Why did Christian run with his fingers in his ears?

    So nothing could stop him as he ran toward the little gate and the shining light, calling, “Life! Life! Eternal life!”

  3. Have you ever felt heavy inside about something you did wrong? Where does the story say to run?

    The chapter’s point: you don’t have to carry the weight of doing wrong alone — there is a light to run to, and his name is Jesus.

Activity

Run to the Light

You will need: One sheet of paper with a big yellow sun or light drawn on it

  1. Prop up or hold up the “light” picture at one end of the room and gather the children at the other end.
  2. Explain that they are Christian, running to the light, and that nothing must turn them aside.
  3. Have everyone put their fingers in their ears and walk slowly toward the light while you call out silly distractions like “Come back and play!”
  4. When they reach the light, let everyone shout together, “Life! Life! Eternal life!”
  5. Sit down and ask: who is the true Light the story says we can run to?

Pray

Dear God, when I feel the weight of the wrong I’ve done, help me run to you, the true Light. Amen.

Read chapter 1

Week 2 — Stuck in the Swamp

Hurrying toward the light, Christian falls into the Slough of Despond, the Swamp of Feeling Hopeless, and his burden drags him deeper. His neighbour Pliable climbs out and goes home, leaving him alone, until a man called Help reaches down, says, “Give me your hand,” and pulls him onto solid ground. The big idea: everyone feels stuck and hopeless sometimes, but we aren’t meant to climb out alone — God reaches out to help us.

“He lifted me out of the mud and set my feet on solid ground.” — from Psalm 40

Memory verse

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:2

Talk together

  1. What happened to Christian in the Slough of Despond?

    He fell into a deep, muddy bog, and the heavy burden on his back made him sink deeper the more he struggled.

  2. What did Pliable do, and who came to help Christian?

    Pliable grumbled, crawled out on the near side and went home. Then a man named Help reached out his hand and pulled Christian onto solid ground.

  3. When have you felt stuck or hopeless? What can you do when that happens?

    The chapter’s point: feeling stuck happens even to Christian, and we aren’t meant to climb out alone — reach for the hand that’s reaching for you, because God sends help.

Activity

Give Me Your Hand

You will need: Nothing

  1. Put the children in pairs or threes, all at the same time, so no one is on show.
  2. One child in each group crouches low and pretends to sink slowly into sticky mud, pulling heavy feet up and down.
  3. The other says, “Give me your hand,” and gently helps them stand up on “solid ground.”
  4. Swap roles so everyone gets to be both Christian and Help.
  5. Ask: who does God send to help us when we feel stuck?

Pray

Dear God, when I feel stuck and hopeless, thank you that you reach out your hand. Help me to take hold of it. Amen.

Read chapter 2

Week 3 — The Little Gate That Opens

Christian reaches the little gate with the words “Knock, and it shall be opened to you” above it. He knocks, worried he might not be let in, but Goodwill opens the gate wide, welcomes him with all his heart and sets him on the narrow path, telling him his burden will fall off at the right place. The big idea: God never turns away anyone who comes to him — we don’t have to be good enough first, we just have to knock.

“Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” — from Matthew 7

Memory verse

Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Talk together

  1. What words were written above the little gate?

    “Knock, and it shall be opened to you.”

  2. What did Goodwill say when Christian asked if his burden could come off now?

    “Be patient” — keep going, and at the right place it will fall off all by itself.

  3. Do you think you have to be good enough before God will let you in?

    The chapter’s point: God never turns away anyone who comes to him. You don’t have to be good enough first — you just knock, and he welcomes you in with all his heart.

Activity

A Door That Opens

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half like a card, so the front flap opens like a door.
  2. On the front, draw a little gate or door with a door knocker.
  3. Inside, draw a welcoming face and write “Come in!” or “Welcome!”
  4. Practise knocking on the front of the card, then open it, saying the memory verse together.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that when I come to you, you never turn me away. I’m knocking — please let me in. Amen.

Read chapter 3

Week 4 — The House of Wonderful Rooms

At the Interpreter’s house, Christian is shown rooms full of wonders. A dusty room only gets dustier when swept until water is sprinkled on it, and a fire keeps burning even when water is thrown on it, because a hidden man pours oil on it. The Interpreter explains that rules alone stir up sin but the good news of Jesus makes hearts clean, and that Jesus secretly keeps faith burning in us. The big idea: God loves to open our eyes so we understand how things really work on the inside.

“Open my eyes, that I may see wonderful things.” — from Psalm 119

Memory verse

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

Psalm 119:18

Talk together

  1. What happened when the man swept the dusty room, and what made it clean?

    The dust flew up and made Christian choke. When a girl sprinkled water on the floor, the room could be swept clean and lovely.

  2. Why did the fire keep burning even though a man threw water on it?

    Behind the wall another man was secretly pouring oil on it. The Interpreter said that is Jesus, keeping the fire of faith burning in your heart.

  3. Is there something about God you’d like to understand better? How could you ask him?

    The chapter’s point: God loves to teach us how things really work on the inside — ask him to open your eyes, and he will show you wonderful things.

Activity

Two Wonderful Rooms

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half to make two “rooms.”
  2. In the first room, draw the dusty parlour: the dust flying up when it is swept, then the girl sprinkling water.
  3. In the second room, draw the fire with water thrown on one side and the hidden man pouring oil on the other.
  4. Show your pictures to a neighbour and tell each other what the Interpreter said each room means.

Pray

Dear God, please open my eyes to understand you. Keep the fire of your love burning in me. Amen.

Read chapter 4

Week 5 — The Burden Rolls Away

Christian comes to the Cross, and the moment he reaches it, his burden comes loose, rolls down the hill into an open tomb and is gone for good. He weeps for joy and leaps three times, and three Shining Ones tell him his sins are forgiven, give him new clothes, and give him a mark and a letter for the gate of the City. The big idea: we can’t lift our own load of wrongdoing, but Jesus takes it away at the Cross — the best news there is.

“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” — from Matthew 11

Memory verse

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Talk together

  1. What happened to Christian’s burden when he came to the Cross?

    It came loose, rolled down the hill into the open tomb, and was gone — he never saw it again.

  2. What did the three Shining Ones give Christian?

    One said his sins were forgiven, one dressed him in beautiful new clothes, and one put a mark on his forehead and gave him a rolled-up letter.

  3. Can we take away our own wrongdoing by trying hard? Who does the story say can?

    The chapter’s point: the burden is sin, and we can’t lift it off ourselves — but Jesus, who died on the Cross, can and does. That’s the best news there is.

Activity

The Burden Rolls Away

You will need: One sheet of scrap paper per child

  1. Give each child a blank sheet of paper to scrunch into a ball — this is Christian’s burden. Nobody writes anything on it.
  2. Have everyone walk around the room bent over, as if the burden is very heavy on their backs.
  3. Point to one spot in the room as the Cross and another corner as the open tomb.
  4. When each child reaches the Cross, they roll their burden into the tomb corner and give three big leaps for joy.
  5. Gather the paper balls for recycling and ask: who is the only one who can take our burden away?

Pray

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away the heavy load of my sin at the Cross. Thank you for giving me rest. Amen.

Read chapter 5

Week 6 — The Hard Hill and the Palace Beautiful

Christian climbs the steep Hill Difficulty on hands and knees, falls asleep in the shelter and loses his precious letter, and has to go back down to find it. Near the top two lions roar, but a watchman tells him they are chained, so he walks safely down the middle of the path to the Palace Beautiful, where he is fed, rested and dressed in shining armour. The big idea: following God can be hard work, and some scary things are chained, but God gives us rest, friends and armour for the road.

“Put on the whole armour of God.” — from Ephesians 6

Memory verse

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Talk together

  1. Why did Christian have to walk back down the Hill Difficulty?

    He fell asleep in the resting shelter and his precious letter slipped out of his hand, so he went back to find it.

  2. Why could the roaring lions not hurt Christian?

    They were chained. The watchman told him to keep to the middle of the path, so he walked bravely between them.

  3. What scares you that might really be a “chained lion”? Who helps you when things feel hard?

    The chapter’s point: following God can be a steep climb, and some things that scare us can’t really hurt us. God gives rest, good friends and armour — keep climbing and stay on the path.

Activity

Between the Chained Lions

You will need: Nothing

  1. Choose two or three volunteers at a time to be the chained lions, standing on either side of a “path” across the room.
  2. The lions may roar and paw the air, but must keep their feet still because they are chained.
  3. Everyone else walks one by one down the middle of the path, while you call out like the watchman, “Don’t be afraid — keep to the middle!”
  4. Swap the lions often so everyone who wants a turn gets one.
  5. Ask: what did the women at the Palace Beautiful give Christian for the road ahead?

Pray

Dear God, when the way is hard and steep, give me rest, and dress me in your armour to keep going. Amen.

Read chapter 6

Week 7 — Christian Fights the Dragon

In a low valley the dragon-like monster Apollyon claims Christian belongs to him and attacks with flaming darts. They fight for half a day, Christian is wounded and loses his sword, but he grabs it again, cries, “When I fall, I will get up again!” and declares that we are more than conquerors through Jesus, and Apollyon flies away. The big idea: we don’t beat the enemy in our own strength — when we say no to what’s wrong and hold on to God’s Word and Jesus, the enemy runs.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — from James 4

Memory verse

Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Talk together

  1. What did Apollyon want, and what did Christian tell him?

    Apollyon said Christian belonged to him and wouldn’t let him go to the City. Christian said no — he served the King now.

  2. What did Christian do when his sword flew out of his hand?

    He grabbed it again, said, “When I fall, I will get up again!”, and gave a mighty thrust — and Apollyon flew away.

  3. What helps you say no to something you know is wrong?

    The chapter’s point: we don’t beat the enemy in our own strength. Christian won with God’s Word and the victory of Jesus — say no to wrong, hold on to God, and the enemy runs.

Activity

Say Yes or Say No

You will need: Nothing

  1. Name one side of the room “Yes, do it!” and the other side “Say no!”
  2. Read out simple everyday choices, such as “A friend says, let’s take a sweet without asking,” or “Your sister needs help tidying up.”
  3. After each one, everyone walks to the side they think is right.
  4. For each “Say no!” choice, shout together, “Resist the devil, and he will flee!”
  5. Ask: what did Christian use to win, and what can help us say no?

Pray

Dear God, make me brave. Help me say no to what is wrong, and win by trusting in Jesus. Amen.

Read chapter 7

Week 8 — Through the Dark Valley

In the Valley of the Shadow of Death it is so dark Christian can hardly see where to step, and his sword is no use. He uses the best weapon of all, All-prayer, crying, “O Lord, save me!” Even when a creature whispers nasty thoughts in his ear, he hears another traveller ahead saying Psalm 23 and realises he isn’t alone, and morning comes. The big idea: when life feels dark and scary, the simplest and best thing to do is pray, because God is with us in the dark.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” — from Psalm 23

Memory verse

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Talk together

  1. What weapon did Christian use in the dark valley, since his sword was no use?

    A weapon called All-prayer. He simply cried out, “O Lord, I beg you, save me!”

  2. Why did Christian’s heart lift in the dark?

    He heard someone up ahead saying, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me,” and knew he was not alone.

  3. What do you feel scared of in the dark or in hard times? What could you do then?

    The chapter’s point: when things feel dark and we can’t see the way, the best thing is the simplest — pray. God is with you in the dark, and morning always comes.

Activity

All-Prayer Lanterns

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Give each child paper and invite them to draw a lantern glowing in a dark valley, colouring the dark all around it.
  2. Inside the lantern’s light, they can write or draw one thing they’d like to talk to God about. This stays private — no one has to show it.
  3. Gather quietly and, if you can, dim the lights a little.
  4. Invite everyone to hold their lantern and pray silently for a minute, then close by saying the memory verse together softly.

Pray

Dear God, when things are dark and scary, help me to pray. Thank you that you are with me and I need not be afraid. Amen.

Read chapter 8

Week 9 — Vanity Fair and the Faithful Friend

Christian and his brave friend Faithful pass through Vanity Fair, a town that cares only for shiny things, and answer the sellers, “We buy the truth.” The angry crowd mocks them and locks them up, and Faithful is put on an unfair trial, but he keeps trusting God and is carried straight up to the gates of the City. Christian escapes and Hopeful joins him, because he saw how bravely they loved God. The big idea: staying faithful to God can cost something, but God sees, remembers and rewards it.

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” — from Revelation 2

Memory verse

Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9

Talk together

  1. What did Christian and Faithful say when the sellers shouted, “What will you buy?”

    “We buy the truth.” They wouldn’t even look at the glittering things.

  2. What happened to Faithful when his life on earth ended?

    A chariot with horses swept down and carried him up through the clouds to the gates of the great City — he got there first.

  3. Is it ever hard to do what’s right when others laugh or want shiny things? What helps?

    The chapter’s point: the world doesn’t always like people who love God, and being faithful can cost something — but God sees and remembers, and his reward is greater than anything the fair could sell.

Activity

What Will You Buy?

You will need: One large sheet of paper and crayons or a pencil

  1. Draw a line down the middle of a large sheet of paper.
  2. Label one side “Shiny things at the fair” and the other “Things that really last.”
  3. Let the children call out ideas for each side (toys, gadgets, being famous; truth, kindness, friendship, loving God) while you or an older child writes them down.
  4. Read both lists aloud, then all shout Christian and Faithful’s answer together: “We buy the truth!”

Pray

Dear God, help me love the truth more than shiny things, and to stay faithful to you no matter what. Amen.

Read chapter 9

Week 10 — Escaping Giant Despair

Christian and Hopeful leave the narrow path for an easier-looking meadow, get lost in a storm and are caught by Giant Despair, who throws them into the dungeon of Doubting Castle and tells them to give up hope. Hopeful keeps encouraging Christian, they pray, and Christian suddenly remembers he has had a key called Promise in his pocket all along, which opens every lock. The big idea: when we feel trapped and hopeless, God’s promises in the Bible are the key that sets us free.

“He has given us his very great and precious promises.” — from 2 Peter 1

Memory verse

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope unyieldingly. For he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Talk together

  1. How did Christian and Hopeful end up in Doubting Castle?

    They left the narrow path for an easier-looking meadow, got lost in a storm, and fell asleep in Giant Despair’s field.

  2. How did they finally get out of the dungeon?

    After praying, Christian remembered a key in his pocket called Promise. It opened the dungeon door, the outer door and the iron gate.

  3. When you feel sad or trapped, what “key” could you remember?

    The chapter’s point: God’s promises — the things he tells us in the Bible — can unlock any dungeon of despair. Don’t forget you’re holding the key.

Activity

The Key Called Promise

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Draw a big, fancy key that fills most of a sheet of paper.
  2. Write “Promise” on the handle of the key.
  3. Along the long part of the key, copy one of God’s promises from this book, such as “I will give you rest” or “I am with you.”
  4. Decorate the key, then take it home to keep somewhere you’ll see it when you feel sad.

Pray

Dear God, when I feel trapped and sad, help me remember your promises. Thank you that they set me free. Amen.

Read chapter 10

Week 11 — The Shepherds Who Show Wonders

Christian and Hopeful rest on the Delectable Mountains, where four kind shepherds named Knowledge, Experience, Watchful and Sincere feed them and show them wonders and warnings about travellers who left the path. From a hill called Clear, through a special telescope, the pilgrims glimpse the gate of the Celestial City, and the shepherds warn them to keep watching. The big idea: God is our good Shepherd, who feeds us, warns us of danger and lets us catch sight of the home he is bringing us to.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — from Psalm 23

Memory verse

The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.

Psalm 23:1

Talk together

  1. What did the shepherds do for Christian and Hopeful?

    They welcomed them, gave them food and rest, showed them warnings about leaving the path, and let them look through a telescope.

  2. What did the pilgrims see through the telescope on the hill called Clear?

    A glimpse, far ahead, of the gate of the Celestial City — their journey’s end was in sight.

  3. How is God like the good shepherds in this story?

    The chapter’s point: like the shepherds, God feeds us, gives us rest, warns us of danger, and shows us the home he’s bringing us to — you can trust him to lead you all the way.

Activity

Glimpse the City

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Together, draw the Celestial City on one or two big sheets: shining walls, a golden gate, bright light.
  2. Put the picture up on the far side of the room.
  3. Each child rolls a sheet of paper into a tube to make a telescope.
  4. Stand on the “hill called Clear” and take turns looking through your telescopes at the City.
  5. Ask: what did the good shepherds do for the pilgrims, and how is God like them?

Pray

Dear God, thank you for being my shepherd, who feeds me, guides me, and shows me the way home. Amen.

Read chapter 11

Week 12 — Over the River to the Golden City

At the very end, Christian and Hopeful must cross a deep river with no bridge to reach the shining City. Christian begins to sink in fear, but Hopeful holds up his head, calling, “I can feel the bottom, and it is solid!” Christian remembers God’s promise to be with him in the waters, they cross safely, and they are welcomed through the golden gate as every bell in the City rings for joy. The big idea: God is with us all the way, even to the very end, and the road of trusting him leads us home.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” — from Isaiah 43

Memory verse

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

Isaiah 43:2

Talk together

  1. What was the last thing between Christian and the Golden City?

    A deep river with no bridge. They had to go through it to reach the gate.

  2. How did Hopeful help Christian in the river?

    He held up Christian’s head and called, “Be cheerful, my brother — I can feel the bottom, and it is solid!”

  3. When you’re afraid, what promise from this story could you remember?

    The chapter’s point: God promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” He is with us all the way, and his City is home for everyone who keeps trusting him.

Activity

Map of the Whole Journey

You will need: A long sheet of paper (or several sheets laid end to end) and crayons

  1. Lay the paper out on a table or the floor and draw a winding road from one end to the other.
  2. At the start, draw the City of Destruction; at the far end, the river and the golden City.
  3. Let each child choose a place from the twelve weeks — the swamp, the gate, the Cross, the lions, Doubting Castle — and draw it along the road.
  4. Walk the map together from beginning to end, naming each place and what Christian learned there.
  5. Finish by ringing pretend bells and cheering, “Christian is home!”

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you are with me all the way, even to the very end, and that your City is home. Help me keep walking with you. Amen.

Read chapter 12