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Ministry-To-Children

Free Sunday School Materials

Are you looking for materials for your children’s Sunday School? Then you’ll love all the free resources we have posting and linked on our website. Here is a collection of our most popular resources to get you started.

New Materials for Sunday School

• Back To School 2024: New Children’s Ministry Curriculum from The Sunday School Store June 20, 2024 by Tony Kummer We just launched the new “Back To School: 4-Lesson Children’s Ministry Curriculum,” and I’m thrilled to share the first week’s free sample lesson with you. Take a look and be sure to visit The Sunday School Store for the complete 4-lesson curriculum series. This four-week series is designed to assure kids that God is always […]
• VBS Games Ideas: Fun Recreation Activities for Vacation Bible School 🎈😄 June 11, 2024 by Tony Kummer This article shares our best ideas for Vacation Bible School (VBS) games. We suggest different games that can be played indoors and outdoors. Some of the games focus on teaching Bible verses. Other games are simply fun activities that will keep the children entertained. Print our game ideas PDF below, watch the videos if you […]
• Jars of Clay: Sunday School Lesson from 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 June 10, 2024 by run4him87 Download this free Sunday School lesson plan for children based on 2 Corinthians 4:5-18. The lesson emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the source of all strength and power, and understanding that individuals are merely vessels for His work. The lesson includes various activities and crafts designed to engage children and reinforce the key […]
• Isaiah 6:1-8 Sunday School Lesson on the Call of Isaiah May 20, 2024 by run4him87 This Sunday School lesson plan for children is based on Isaiah 6:1-8. It highlights God’s might and our sinfulness, emphasizing Isaiah’s willingness to serve God. The lesson aims to teach children that they can be used by God if they are willing. It includes an object lesson, prayer, game and activity suggestions, the main Bible […]
• Kids’ Bible Recommendations 2024 April 25, 2024 by run4him87 Hidden in Our Hearts (But Displayed on the Bookshelf) One of the most important things we can do for kids is to instill in them a love for God and His Word. When it comes to the Bible, though, it’s not always easy for younger children to read and understand the text. We can encourage […]
• Free Sample Lesson from “Seasons” Children’s Ministry Curriculum April 25, 2024 by Tony Kummer Embracing God’s Timing: Why Your Church Needs the “Seasons of Faith” Curriculum This Fall As an editor deeply embedded in the Christian education community, I’ve seen firsthand the whirlwind of change and challenge that our children navigate in today’s fast-paced world. It’s a culture saturated with instant gratification and a constant push for the next […]
• Children’s Sermon (Acts 8:26-40) Philip and the Ethiopian April 20, 2024 by run4him87 Main Objective: The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is a fascinating encounter among many in the book of Acts. Through it we see how the Holy Spirit guides us and equips us to carry out His work. It is important for us to have the courage and willingness to share the Gospel with others, […]
• Announcing Our Bible Lesson Series for Kids: “Unbreakable Character: 4-Week Children’s Ministry Curriculum” April 16, 2024 by Tony Kummer I’ve just signed off on the final edits for our latest children’s ministry curriculum titled “Unbreakable,” and I’m excited to share the news (and sample lesson below). I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with our community today. This 4-week study is available for churches, Sunday schools, and Christian educators to download and use. This […]
• Love in Action – 1 John 3:16-24 Sunday School Lesson and Bible Activities for Kids April 15, 2024 by run4him87 Actions Speak Louder… Kids’ Bible Lesson on 1 John 3 “Love in Action – 1 John 3:16-24” is a Christian teaching resource that aims to help children understand God’s love and how they can show that love to others. The lesson emphasizes the importance of loving others, not just with words but with actions. It […]
• Engaging Bible Activities for Kids March 21, 2024 by Tony Kummer If you’re looking for some exciting activities to teach children about the Bible, you’ve landed on the right page! Whether you’re a Sunday school teacher, parent, or guardian, having a bunch of fun activities can help kids understand and engage with biblical stories and concepts in a more effective way. We’ve compiled a list of […]

Need something else? Then, use the search feature in the right sidebar or browse our table of contents. Just leave a comment if you need more help.

Teaching Materials for Sunday School

One of the most popular sections of this website is our free Sunday School lessons for children. On this page, you’ll find hundreds of free lesson plans perfect for teaching in your church. A similar resource is our Bible lessons for kids . These are usually a little shorter and work well in kids’ church. Of course, you can use them in any ministry context. If you’re teaching younger children, be sure to browse our preschool materials .

Learning Activities for Sunday School

Most teachers like to have activities to go along with their lessons. So, we’re building a free resource bank of Sunday School activities. This includes crafts , games , and coloring pages . One super popular resource is object lessons . Don’t miss our suggestions for Bible trivia questions .

Printable Guides for Teachers

Teaching a great lesson takes more than printable materials. You must develop the skills and attitudes to share God’s Word with children. Over time, we’ve written several guides to make teaching Sunday School easier. These include tips for Bible storytelling , help for motivating kids , and strategies to get kids excited about the Bible.

Need More Ideas? Then browse our visit our forms and ask your questions about Sunday School.

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• How to Pray for Your Kids…and Someone Else's
• 3 Tips for Ministering to Siblings
• Teaching a Negative Child
• Bringing the Bible to Life… Creating Memorable Experiences
• 5 Things You Should Tell Kids in Your Church

Sunday School Curriculum for Adults

Bible Studies for Your Adult Sunday School Groups

Find Sunday school curriculum for your adult classes with options including The Gospel Project, Bible Studies for Life, Explore the Bible, and others.

Free Previews: The Gospel Project | Bible Studies for Life | Explore the Bible

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Standard Lesson Quarterly Bible Curriculum

Trusted. accurate. easy..

Using the best-selling commentary—a Sunday school class or Bible study group will be ready to explore the Scripture text in a way that meets the needs of all kinds of learning styles. Available in both the Standard Lesson Commentary ® (annual) and the Standard Lesson Quarterly ® (quarterly) formats.

The Standard Lesson line covers four 13-week topical studies each year. These are built around themes created within the ISSL/Uniform Series. The International Sunday School Lessons (ISSL)/Uniform Series is a 6-year plan for reading and studying the entire Bible.

Designed to take students into every part of Scripture, the Uniform Series pulls at least one lesson from nearly every book of the Bible over the 6-year cycle, following 8 specific themes. This more holistic study of the Bible helps students know the content of the Bible, understand the message of the Bible, and know the God of the Bible.

What Makes Standard Lesson Unique?

Standard Lesson Quarterly ® :

The teacher guide (available in regular and large print) provides:

• Printed Bible text for each lesson
• Reliable verse-by-verse commentary on the text
• Discussion questions with talking points
• Verbal illustrations to bring the commentary to life
• Lesson plans with learning activities
• Daily Bible reading plan to prepare heart and mind for the upcoming lesson
• Pronunciation guide for difficult words
• Free reproducible student activity pages and other helpful resources for each lesson at StandardLesson.com

The student book (available in regular and large print) provides:

• Condensed commentary on the text—consistent with the teacher’s commentary
• Learning activities that coincide with the lesson plans in the teacher guide
• Special feature articles that  provide background information or inspiration to supplement the quarter’s theme

Standard Lesson Commentary ® :

• Verse-by-verse commentary—with in-depth study of Scripture
• Daily Bible reading plan
• Discussion questions to encourage deeper thinking and application
• Learning activities found within lesson plans
• Multiple formats—casebound, paperback, deluxe, and large print—also available for iPad, Kindle, and the digital eCommentary from Logos Bible Software
• Editions available in the KJV and NIV ®

Extra Resources Available:

• Devotions ®
• Adult Resources packs with classroom resources

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LESSON 1: The Inspired Word of God

Lessons in this series: 1 2 3 4 5 Overview

After completing this Sunday school lesson, the children will learn that that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Bible, Holy Spirit, Word of God

AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)

Work Folders: Give a simple double sleeve folder to each child as they arrive. First, write their name on the top in easy-to-read letters, then let the children decorate the folder with stickers or drawings as they wish. This folder will be used to keep unfinished work in until the end of the series.

OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)

Further info? Click here

MEMORY WORK (6 minutes)

Old Testament Books of the Bible (handout sheet [PDF] ) Click here New Testament Books of the Bible (handout sheet [PDF] ) Click here Bible Books Starboard [PDF]   Click here Books of the Bible Bookmarks [PDF] Click here During this series, the children will begin to memorize the books of the Bible. In order to memorize all of the books, this challenge will be continued for one or more additional lesson series. Give each child copies of the "Old and New Testament Books of the Bible handout sheets". These are worksheets to help them memorize the books of the Bible, and will be kept in their folders. Today, start by having the children look in their Bibles and write down the names of the first five books of the Old Testament on their handout sheets. Then have them memorize the first five books; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Also encourage the kids to continue memorizing the other books of the Bible at home. Suggest they seek help from parents or older brothers or sisters. The "Bible Books Starboard" will be used to display each child's progress as they memorize all the books.

CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)

Old Time Telephone (Game) Have the kids sit in a circle or line up and play the old telephone game to show how difficult it would be for the people who wrote the different books of the Bible to do so from memory with such accuracy. It would be impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. You can use the following phrases or make up your own. 1. Do you believe the Bible was written by more than thirty-five men inspired by the Holy Spirit? 2. If there were thirty-three more books in the Bible there would be a total of ninety-nine. 3. The Bible is more than words communicated to us from God; the Bible is the Word of God.

SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)

Introduction: The Bible is also known as the Word of God. Do you believe the Bible? Why? Has anyone ever told you that they don't believe the Bible? Many people unfortunately think the Bible is just another long boring book. But of course the Bible is not just another book, it was given to man from God to reveal Jesus Christ as our savior. From Genesis, the very first book, to Revelation, the last book, the purpose of the Bible is Jesus. In John 5:39 Jesus himself says, "These are the Scriptures that testify about me." But what can we say to people who just don't believe the Bible is the word of God? Let's look up some scriptures that may help us understand the significance and truth about the Bible. Help the children find the following verses and have someone read each one. Then discuss each verse.

Verses and Discussion Questions:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 1. Where does all Scripture come from? (From God.) 2. What is Scripture good for? (Teaching, rebuking, correcting, training and equipping.)

2 Peter 1:20-21 1. Does Scripture come from the will of man? (No, from the Will of God.) 2. Who "inspired" or "carried" men to write the Bible? (The Holy Spirit.)

Psalm 12:6 1. Does the Bible contain any mistakes? (No, it is flawless.) 2. What does "pure" gold or silver mean? (Without any impurities.)

Psalm 119:160 1. How can you respond to someone who says the Bible isn't true? (All of God's words are true, so the Bible is also true because it is the Word of God.) 2. Does God ever need to come up with new rules or laws? (No, His laws are eternal.)

1 Corinthians 2:14 1. Why is it difficult for some people to understand the Bible? (Because they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them.) 2. How does God reveal the Bible to us? (By the Holy Spirit.)

Bible Word Search (Puzzle)   Click here

ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (5 minutes)

There is a Book (Song)  Click here

APPLICATION (2 minutes)

We know with certainty that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The prophet Isaiah said that the earth was round (Isaiah 40:22) long before man believed it to be true. Man thought the world was flat! And not too long ago a young shepherd boy found scrolls that were over 2,000 years old. What was written on the scrolls was almost exactly like what we find today in the book of Isaiah. Moreover, numerous archaeological discoveries are proving that from an historical perspective the Bible is accurate. But, the Bible is more than just facts and history. The Bible brings us to a saving faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ. And we know this is true because the Holy Spirit makes us feel good about it.

Everyone has made a puzzle right? How many of you have tried without using the picture on the box lid as a guide? Did looking at the picture make it easier or harder? Next week, we will see what happened to one not so bright fellow when he didn't bother using the guide he was given.

CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)

Take home page.

Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here   [PDF]

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Home » Standard Lesson Quarterly

Standard Lesson Quarterly ®

Quarterly Bible Commentary

Trusted by church leaders for over 100 years, The Standard Lesson Quarterly ®  provides quality, biblically sound lessons. Each quarter contains 13 weeks of lessons, including  ready to use resources to enhance Bible study for teachers and students. Available in the  NIV  ®  and  KJV . A Sunday school class or Bible study group utilizing the Standard Lesson Quarterly will be ready to explore the Scripture text in a way that meets the needs of all kinds of learning styles.

The teacher guide provides:

• Printed Bible text for each lesson
• Reliable verse-by-verse commentary on the text
• Discussion questions with talking points
• Verbal illustrations to bring the commentary to life
• Lesson plans with learning activities
• Daily Bible reading plan to prepare heart and mind for the upcoming lesson
• Free activity pages and other helpful resources for each lesson

The student book provides:

• Condensed commentary on the text—consistent with the teacher’s commentary
• Learning activities that coincide with the lesson plans in the teacher guide
• Special feature articles that provide background information or inspiration to supplement the quarter’s theme

What’s Available

Teacher’s convenience kits.

Includes the large print teacher guide, a resources pack, one large print student book, one Power for Living take home, and also includes a Devotions ® book. Available in NIV ® and KJV.

Teacher Guides

Bible lessons are easy to prepare and include lecture, discussion, and activities for an effective lesson. NIV ® and KJV available in regular print and KJV available in large print.

Student Books

Designed so students have Scripture exposition and learning activities to help them understand the week’s lesson. NIV ® and KJV available in regular and large print.

Seek ® Take-Home Magazine

Each issue includes articles, stories, and a devotion related to each week’s lesson. Sold only in packs for 5 students . -->

Devotions ®

Provides a daily Scripture reference, meditation, and song to prepare for the upcoming lesson. Available in regular and large print.

Classroom Resources

Adult Resources includes engaging visuals, along with a downloadable PowerPoint ® & Google Slides presentations for each lesson and reproducible student pages.

What They’re Saying

“ I choose Standard Lesson Quarterly® over other Bible study options because it is good to see different topics every quarter. The application makes participants think about their personal relationship with God. ” David Delizo Pastor, Gospel Christian Fellowship International, CA

“ The suggested questions helped bail me out several times when I was stuck for something to illustrate where I wanted to go. ” Steve Llewellyn Adult Sunday School Teacher, First United Methodist Church of Waukegan, IL

“ I study with a group of people on Wednesday nights. We all are from different churches and with the Standard Lesson Quarterly we still remain together in unity in the Word of God. ” E. Bonnie Deamon Bible Study Participant, Chicago, IL

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Adult Bible Study Curriculum

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Build stronger churches through teaching all Scripture to produce spiritually mature believers who measure up to the stature of Christ. Choose the Sunday School curriculum with all of God’s Word and the life application that comes with it.

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A comprehensive, trustworthy curriculum that presents the truth of God’s Word without compromise . Perfect for adults who want a guide in using all of God’s Word as God intended.

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A through-the-Bible curriculum that is intensely Biblical and intentionally practical . Helps busy adult learners know and understand, apply, and practice God’s Word in practical, effective ways.

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The same trusted material you know from RBP, now in Spanish! Un plan curricular de toda la Biblia, intencionalmente escritural y práctico. Diseño de Vida ayuda a los adultos ocupados a conocer, entender y aplicar la Palabra de Dios de manera práctica y eficaz.

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Introducing Rocket Racers: RBP VBS 2025

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Children's Ministry Sunday School Lesson Books

Experience engaging sunday school lessons for kids.

Sunday school lessons are supposed to be fun and memorable while also keeping kids coming back to learn more. Experience engaging Sunday school lessons for kids, from Group, where these thoughtfully curated resources bring the Bible to life. These comprehensive Sunday school lesson books and interactive learning tools create a joyful and memorable educational journey for children of all ages.

From vibrant visuals to Bible stories for kids, Group empowers educators and parents with proven materials. Whether for church-based learning or homeschooling, choose the captivating Sunday school books to foster growth and build a strong faith foundation in young hearts.

All Together Sunday School (Book 1) - When You Have Kids of All Ages in One Room

OverviewWhen You Have Kids of All Ages in One Room Introducing a brand-new lesson series for when you have kids from preschool through 5th grade all together in one room! These Bible lessons, geared for ages 4-12, work any time you have kids of all ages...

All-in-One Sunday School Series Set

OverviewBy Lois Keffer In each of the four All-in-One Sunday School books you'll discover 13 fun, Bible-based programs full of creative ideas for classes with kids ages 4 to 12. You'll save time and money--just gather a few common, inexpensive items,...

All-in-One Sunday School for Ages 4-12 (Volume 1): When you have kids of all ages in one classroom

OverviewAll-in-One Sunday School Volume 1 contains lessons that are seasonally tied to Fall. Discover 13 fun, Bible-based programs full of creative ideas for classes with kids ages 4 to 12. With these Sunday school ideas, you'll save time and money--just...

All-in-One Sunday School for Ages 4-12 (Volume 2): When you have kids of all ages in one classroom

OverviewBy Lois Keffer Discover 13 fun, Bible-based programs full of creative ideas for classes with kids ages 4 to 12. You'll save time and money--just gather a few common, inexpensive items, photocopy the handouts, and you're ready to teach creative...

All-in-One Sunday School for Ages 4-12 (Volume 3): When you have kids of all ages in one classroom

OverviewBy Lois Keffer Discover 13 fun, Bible-based programs full of creative ideas for classes with kids ages 4 to 12. You'll save time and money—just gather a few common, inexpensive items, photocopy the handouts, and you're ready to teach creative...

All-in-One Sunday School for Ages 4-12 (Volume 4): When you have kids of all ages in one classroom

All Together Now Series Set

OverviewBy Lois Keffer With these four books, your ministry will experience life-changing adventures for kindergarten through 6th grade! Whether the children in your combined class are age 4, 12, or anything in between, each book in this best-selling...

All Together Now for Ages 4-12 (Volume 1-Fall): 13 Sunday school lessons when you have kids of all ages in one room

OverviewBy Lois Keffer This kids Sunday school series contains life-changing adventures for kindergarten through 6th Grade Bring the book of Exodus to life in a way that engages kids ages 4 through 12—even when they're all in the same room—with All...

All Together Now for Ages 4-12 (Volume 2-Winter): 13 Sunday school lessons when you have kids of all ages in one room

OverviewBy Lois Keffer 13 Sunday school lessons when you have kids of all ages in one room Think your kids have heard all the stories about Jesus... his birth, his early ministry of healing and teaching, and his dynamic miracles? Think again! Walk with...

All Together Now for Ages 4-12 (Volume 3-Spring): 13 Sunday school lessons when you have kids of all ages in one room

OverviewBy Lois Keffer Take your kids of all ages on a personal journey with Jesus! They'll be fascinated by these remarkable lessons on Jesus' last week on earth, his resurrection and ascension, and his followers' miraculous adventures in Acts. Kids...

All Together Now for Ages 4-12 (Volume 4-Summer): 13 Sunday school lessons when you have kids of all ages in one room

OverviewBy Lois Keffer How can kids grow closer to God when they don't know who God is? All Together Now Volume 4 gives your kids up-close-and-personal experiences to learn more about their Creator. Whether the children in your combined class are age 4,...

Kids' Travel Guide Set

OverviewHere's a trip worth making--so buckle up, these travel guides are essentials for leading children on the road to righteousness! Take children from K to 5th grade on life-impacting explorations and engage them with activities, stories, prayer and...

Kids' Travel Guide to the Parables

OverviewKids' Travel Guide to the Parables invites children to go on a journey with you through the parables. Like the parables themselves, the 13 Bible lessons in this book will surprise, comfort, and challenge your children. Kids (levels K-5th grade)...

Kids' Travel Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit

OverviewKids' Travel Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit is based on the fruits of the Spirit of Galatians 5:22-23 and leads your Sunday school or midweek program on a 13-week Scripture-based discovery of how God's Spirit helps us express God's love to...

Kids' Travel Guide to the Lord's Prayer

OverviewWith Kids' Travel Guide to the Lord's Prayer, kids will go on journeys filled with stories, activities, ideas, and fun as they travel through the power of prayer. In these 13 Bible lessons for kids, you'll use Jesus' guide to prayer to show...

Kids' Travel Guide to the 23rd Psalm

OverviewThis Kids' Travel Guide lesson book contains a 13-week Scripture-based exploration of the graciousness and peace of the 23rd Psalm—one of the most loved passages of the Bible. Not only is Kids' Travel Guide to the 23rd Psalm a great resource for...

Kids' Travel Guide to the Beatitudes

OverviewIn Kids' Travel Guide to the Beatitudes, kids will go on journeys filled with stories, activities, ideas, and fun as they travel through Jesus' message in the Beatitudes. Like the Bible words themselves, the 13 Sunday school lessons in this book...

Kids' Travel Guide to the Armor of God

OverviewKids' Travel Guide to the Armor of God is a 13-week Scripture-based exploration of the armor of God that will lead your kids into a faith so bold they'll be able to stand firm in the midst of terrifying or unclear situations. Not only will these...

Kids' Travel Guide to the Ten Commandments: Thirteen Lessons on Right and Wrong

OverviewBy Carol Mader Impress the Ten Commandments into children's hearts with these 13 easy Bible lessons for kids. With Kids' Travel Guide to the Ten Commandments: Thirteen Lessons on Right and Wrong, you'll take them on exciting journeys filled with...

Friends With God Bible Lessons (Old Testament)

OverviewYou're about to have 13 surprising visitors come to your Sunday school class... and change the way kids look at the Bible! Imagine what it would be like to have Abram himself drop in and share about the night God showed him a sky full of stars,...

Friends With God Bible Lessons (New Testament)

Overview13 surprising visitors are heading to your Sunday school class—and they'll change how your kids look at the Bible... forever! See your kids' faces light up as an angel appears, describing the fun of surprising shepherds on a hillside outside...

13 Most Important Bible Lessons Set

OverviewThe 13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids series is kid-sized theology that really cements the fundamentals of faith into kids' hearts and heads. Children's ministry leaders are looking for an effective way to teach upper-elementary kids the...

13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids About Living for Jesus

Introduction"Ask people who minister to children what they want most, and you'll hear something like this: "I want kids to know the Bible." "I want children to have a strong relationship with God." "I want kids to have a faith foundation that'll stand...

13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids about God

Overview13 Lessons to Understanding God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit The number-one cry of children's ministry leaders everywhere is the desire to teach kids the basics—the foundational truths of the Christian faith. The 13 Most Important Bible Lessons...

13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids About God (eBook)

Overview13 Lessons to Understanding God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit The number-one cry of children's ministry leaders everywhere is the desire to teach kids the basics--the foundational truths of the Christian faith. These lessons are solid, Bible-packed...

13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids About Loving Each Other

13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids About Loving Each Other (pdf download)

Overview13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Kids About Loving Each Other is kid-sized theology that really cements the fundamentals of faith into kids hearts and heads. Children's ministry leaders are looking for an effective way to teach...

Character by God's Design: Volume 1: 13 Lessons on Diligence, Faithfulness and Gratitude

Overview13 Sunday school lessons for kids of all ages in one room. Equip kids with the character qualities they need to each become the person God created them to be with this lesson book and companion DVD. Character by God's Design: Volume 1 is rooted...

Character by God's Design: Volume 2: 13 Lessons on Trust, Honesty and Obedience

OverviewCharacter by God's Design: Volume 2 contains 13 Sunday school lessons for kids of all ages in one room. Recommended for ages 4 -12. Includes reproducibles and a DVD. When you teach these Bible lessons for kids, you'll equip your students with the...

Character by God's Design: Volume 3: 13 Lessons on Respect, Stewardship and Perseverance

OverviewCharacter by God's Design: Volume 3 contains 13 Sunday school lessons for kids of all ages in one room. Recommended for ages 4 -12. Includes reproducibles and a DVD. When you teach these Bible lessons for kids, you'll equip your students with the...

Character by God's Design: Volume 4: 13 Lessons on Courage, Wisdom and Loyalty

OverviewCharacter by God's Design: Volume 4 contains 13 Sunday school lessons for kids of all ages in one room. Recommended for ages 4-12. Includes reproducibles and a DVD. When you teach these kids Bible lessons, you'll equip your students with the...

Grow Together Now, Volume 1

Introduction"Grow Together Now is rooted in Scripture and engages kids to grow to be like Jesus. Use these lessons to equip kids with the character qualities they need to each become the person God created them to be. These exciting, hands-on Bible...

Grow Together Now, Volume 2

Overview13 Sunday School Lessons for Kids of All Ages in One Room Help kids understand the character qualities essential to grow into the individuals God made them to be. Grow Together Now Volume 2 includes energizing, real-world Sunday school lessons...

Humongous Book Set

OverviewSet includes: The Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry, The Humongous Book of Children's Messages, and The Humongous Book of Bible Skits for Children's Ministry

The Humongous Book of Preschool Ideas 2

OverviewBy Group Publishing Humongous Book of Preschool Ideas 2 is the incredible preschool pick-and-choose idea book! Select a Bible story Flip to that story Customize a preschool Bible lesson With these Bible stories for prescoholers, you can create...

The Humongous Book of Children's Messages

Introduction"Presenting a sermon for kids is always an adventure. When Matt waves his little hand in the air to get your attention, is it because he's just discovered a Bible truth--or because he has to go to the bathroom? When you ask kids how they...

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Elevate Church-Based Learning with Captivating Sunday School Lesson Books

At Group, we're committed to enriching Sunday school through carefully created lesson books. The diverse range of options ignites enthusiasm for education through interactive, Jesus-centered lessons. Choose from a variety of options to spark curiosity and cultivate a deeper connection to Jesus for kids.

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Books We Love

Here are the nonfiction books npr staffers have loved so far this year.

June 17, 2024 • We asked around the newsroom to find favorite nonfiction from the first half of 2024. We've got biography and memoir, health and science, history, sports and much more.

Summer BWL Nonfiction

NPR staffers pick their favorite fiction reads of 2024

June 17, 2024 • At work: hardworking news journalists. At home: omnivorous fiction readers. We asked our colleagues what they've enjoyed most this year and here are the titles they shared.

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20 new books hitting shelves this summer that our critics can't wait to read

May 21, 2024 • We asked our book critics what titles they are most looking forward to this summer. Their picks range from memoirs to sci-fi and fantasy to translations, love stories and everything in between.

Here are the Books We Love: 380+ great 2023 reads recommended by NPR

November 20, 2023 • Books We Love returns with 380+ new titles handpicked by NPR staff and trusted critics. Find 11 years of recommendations all in one place – that's more than 3,600 great reads.

"The first place I learned to be funny was on the schoolyard trying to defuse this weird tension around my body, says Ian Karmel. He won an Emmy Award in 2019 for his work on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" special with Paul McCartney. Kenny McMillan/Penguin Random House hide caption

A member of the 'T-Shirt Swim Club' chronicles life as 'the funny fat kid'

July 2, 2024 • Comedy writer Ian Karmel has been making fun of his own body since he was a kid. He wrote T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories from Being Fat in a World of Thin People along with his sister.

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A taste of black appalachia.

July 2, 2024 • Too often, our attempts at nailing the family recipes end up in disaster and disappointment. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson, author of Praisesong for the Kitchenghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. The two talk about Appalachian food culture, turning oral recipes into written ones, and the emotional relationship between food, family and memory.

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'Love is Blind' is mired in lawsuits. What does that mean for reality TV?

July 1, 2024 • New Yorker writer Emily Nussbaum discusses the lawsuits brought forth by the Love is Blind cast members, and reflects on how reality TV has impacted our culture. Her new book is Cue the Sun!

Emily Nussbaum

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'emergency quarters' are for pay phones (remember those) in a new book by ‘90s kids.

June 30, 2024 • Ernesto's mom gives him a quarter every morning. "For emergencies," she says. "If you need me, look for a pay phone." Hey, it was the '90s! But how will Ernesto spend his Emergency Quarters ?

Pedestrians walk past the Fabulosa Books store in San Francisco's Castro District on Thursday. The bookstore is sending LGBTQ+ books to parts of the country where they are censored to counter the rapidly growing effort by anti-LGBTQ+ activists and lawmakers to ban queer-friendly books from public schools and libraries. Haven Daley/AP hide caption

A San Francisco store is shipping LGBTQ+ books to places where they are banned

June 30, 2024 • In what she calls "Books Not Bans," Becka Robbins sends titles to groups that want them in the face of a movement by conservative advocacy groups and lawmakers to ban them from schools and libraries.

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In 'Timid,' there is bravery under the surface

June 29, 2024 • Many assume that timidity -- or its close cousin, shyness -- is solely a negative trait. But longtime cartoonist Jonathan Todd shows this is not always the case in this semi-autobiographical tale.

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June 26, 2024 • After a while, even the most exciting relationships, jobs and environments lose their spark. But cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot says it's possible to fall back in love with life's small joys.

Why we become bored with our lives (and how to find joy again)

In Jonathan Merritt's new book My Guncle and Me , a little boy's gay uncle helps him understand that being different makes him special. Hachette Book Group hide caption

Christian writer's new book reminds kids what makes them different makes them special

June 26, 2024 • Christian writer Jonathan Merritt's new book My Guncle and Me tells the story of a gay uncle who helps his nephew embrace being different.

Jonathan Merritt's book reminds kids what makes them different makes them special

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The human brain is hardwired to recognize faces. But what if you can't?

June 26, 2024 • Humans are hardwired to see faces — even in inanimate objects. We have a lima bean-shaped part of our brains dedicated to facial recognition. But this process isn't always straightforward. Science journalist Sadie Dingfelder is one of 10 million Americans who are face blind, or struggle to recognize the faces of people they know. In her new book, Do I Know You? she dives into this, as well as the science of memory and imagination.

Code Switch

The truth and lies behind one of the most banned books in america.

June 26, 2024 • Author Mike Curato wrote Flamer as a way to help young queer kids, like he once was, better understand and accept themselves. It was met with immediate praise and accolades — until it wasn't. When the book got caught up in a wave of Texas-based book bans, suddenly the narrative changed. And like so many books that address queer identity, Flamer quickly became a flashpoint in a long, messy culture war that tried to distort the nature of the book.

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4 crime and suspense novels make for hot summer reading

June 25, 2024 • There’s something about the shadowy moral recesses of crime and suspense fiction that makes those genres especially appealing as temperatures soar. Here are four novels that turn the heat up.

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Ferris Jabr's book Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life examines the ways life and Earth have shaped each other. Lucas Heinrich/Random House hide caption

Earth is more than a planet with life on it. It's a "living planet"

June 24, 2024 • About ten years ago, science writer Ferris Jabr started contemplating Earth as a living planet rather than a planet with life on it . It began when he learned that the Amazon rainforest doesn't simply receive the rain that defines it; rather, it helps generate that rain. The Amazon does that by launching bits of biological confetti into the atmosphere that, in turn, seed clouds. After learning this, he began looking for other ways life changes its environment. That led to his new book Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life . He talks to host Regina G. Barber about examples of life transforming the planet — from changing the color of the sky to altering the weather.

Earth is more than a planet with life on it. It's a "living planet"

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In 'Parade,' Rachel Cusk once again flouts traditional narrative

June 20, 2024 • In her latest work, Cusk probes questions about the connections between freedom, gender, domesticity, art, and suffering.

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2 books offer just the right summer mix of humor and nostalgia

June 20, 2024 • Catherine Newman's novel Sandwich centers on a woman vacationing with her young adult children and her elderly parents. Julie Satow’s When Women Ran Fifth Avenue profiles three NYC department stores.

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Much Ado About First Folios — the world's largest Shakespeare collection reopens

June 19, 2024 • The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is emerging from a four-year metamorphosis. Eighty-two copies of Shakespeare’s “First Folio” will be together on public display for the first time.

Author Jules Gill-Peterson poses next to her book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny Headshot by Kadji Amin and book cover design by Angela Lorenzo for Verso hide caption

The history of trans misogyny is the history of segregation

June 19, 2024 • As anti-trans legislation has ramped up, historian Jules Gill-Peterson turns the lens to the past in her book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny . This week, we talk about how panics around trans femininity are shaped by wider forces of colonialism, segregation and class interests.

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Health Care

Why anthony fauci approaches every trip to the white house as if it's his last.

June 18, 2024 • Over the course of his decades-long career in public health, Fauci vowed he would never shy away from speaking the truth with the U.S. president— even when it was inconvenient. Fauci's memoir is On Call.

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Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love'

June 18, 2024 • In his new memoir, Another Word for Love, Carvell Wallace lays out his journey to find self-acceptance after a childhood colored by instability. Host Brittany Luse sits down with Carvell to talk about how he built new language around love and his new perspectives on recovery and healing.

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Three Hours: The Top Ten Sunday Times Bestseller Paperback – October 29, 2020

Three hours to save the people you love.

• Print length 308 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Penguin
• Publication date October 29, 2020
• Dimensions 5.08 x 0.79 x 7.8 inches
• ISBN-10 0241374510
• ISBN-13 978-0241374511
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin; 1st edition (October 29, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0241374510
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241374511
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.79 x 7.8 inches
• #754 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
• #6,639 in Literary Fiction (Books)
• #8,812 in Suspense Thrillers

About the author

Rosamund lupton.

Thank you for visiting my Amazon author page, it's lovely to see you here.If you click on the yellow 'follow' button Amazon will send you emails if there's a special deal you might be interested in.

My books are not easy to slot into a particular genre, and you can usually find them under 'contemporary fiction', 'literary fiction', 'political thriller' and 'psychological thriller.'

My latest novel 'Three Hours', was chosen as the Times Thriller of the Year and I'm still in shock.

I've written three others novels: 'Sister', 'Afterwards' & 'The Quality of Silence'

I love hearing from readers, so please do follow me if you like on twitter or Instagram or visit my website.

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Customers find the plot brilliant, psychologically nuanced, and real. They also describe the writing style as unpredictable, well written, and relative to the state of the nation. However, some find the beginning slow and lacking a hook.

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Customers find the plot brilliant, profoundly psychological, exciting, and realistic. They also appreciate the clever interweaving of the school invasion, journey from Syria, and Macbeth. Readers also mention the book is great, with a smooth unfolding plot and sensitive handling of a nightmare situation.

"...Like its predecessor, Three Hours is deeply layered, psychologically nuanced , visually overwhelming, and wrought with quiet but agonizing tension...." Read more

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USA TODAY’s Best-selling Booklist

USA TODAY collects sales data from booksellers representing a variety of outlets: bookstore chains, independent bookstores, mass merchandisers, and online retailers. Using that data, we determine the 150 top-selling titles of the week. The top 150 are published online Wednesdays at 6 a.m.

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Hardcover fiction

1. James by Percival Everett (Doubleday: $28) An action-packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

2. The Women by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press: $30) An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.

3. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (William Morrow: $30) Twists abound in this locked-room murder mystery.

4. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster: $29) A fusion of genres and ideas that’s part time-travel romance and part spy thriller.

5. Funny Story by Emily Henry (Berkley: $29) Two opposites with the wrong thing in common connect.

6. Sandwich by Catherine Newman (Harper: $27) The story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch and learning to let go.

7. Table for Two by Amor Towles (Viking: $32) A collection of stories from the author of “The Lincoln Highway.”

8. All Fours by Miranda July (Riverhead Books: $29) A woman upends her domestic life in this irreverent and tender novel.

9. Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo (Doubleday: $30) A long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present.

10. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (Crown: $30) A novel combining a missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller and a love story.

Hardcover nonfiction

1. On Call by Anthony Fauci, M.D. (Viking: $36) A memoir by the doctor whose six-decade career in public service has spanned seven presidents.

2. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin (Penguin: $32) The music producer’s guidance on how to be a creative person.

3. The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson (Crown: $35) An exploration of the pivotal five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War.

4. The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (Penguin Press: $30) The actor-director’s memoir of growing up in Hollywood and Manhattan.

5. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (Penguin Press: $30) An investigation into the collapse of youth mental health.

6. What This Comedian Said Will Shock You by Bill Maher (Simon & Schuster: $30) The host of HBO’s “Real Time” has written a vivisection of American life, politics and culture.

7. Somehow by Anne Lamott (Riverhead Books: $22) A joyful celebration of love from the bestselling author.

8. Democracy or Else by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor (Zando-Crooked Media Reads: $28) The “Pod Save America” hosts offer a step-by-step guide to navigating the chaotic waters of American politics.

9. The Wager by David Grann (Doubleday: $30) The story of the shipwreck of an 18th century British warship and a mutiny among the survivors.

10. Inventing Paradise by Paul Haddad (Santa Monica Press: $30) An exploration of the rise of Los Angeles through six influential figures: Phineas Banning, Harrison Gray Otis, Henry Huntington, Harry Chandler, William Mulholland and Moses Sherman.

Paperback fiction

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Vintage: $19)

2. Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood (Berkley: $19)

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury: $19)

4. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (Scribner: $19)

5. Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion (Farrar, Straus & Giroux: $18)

6. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Atria, $17

7. Happy Place by Emily Henry (Berkley: $19)

8. Circe by Madeline Miller (Back Bay: $19)

9. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (HarperOne: $18)

10. This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune (Berkley: $19)

Paperback nonfiction

1. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (Vintage: $18)

2. Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton (Harper Perennial: $19)

3. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (Vintage: $17)

4. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Modern Library: $11)

5. All About Love by bell hooks (Morrow: $17)

6. What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman (Penguin: $19)

7. Liliana’s Invincible Summer by Cristina Rivera Garza (Hogarth: $18)

8. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (TarcherPerigee: $19)

9. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (Amber-Allen: $13)

10. The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi, Fumitake Koga (Atria Books: $19)

More to Read

The week’s bestselling books, June 30

June 26, 2024

The week’s bestselling books, June 23

June 19, 2024

The week’s bestselling books, June 16

June 12, 2024

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The Los Angeles Times bestsellers list comes courtesy of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance (CALIBA). Established in 1981, CALIBA is a mutual benefit 501c(6) nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting, nurturing and promoting independent retail bookselling in California.

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Watch CBS News

Rediscovering Paul McCartney's photos of The Beatles' 1964 invasion

By Anthony Mason

Updated on: June 30, 2024 / 10:08 AM EDT / CBS News

Paul McCartney used his Pentax camera the same way he used his guitar: with total freedom. And in early 1964, the 21-year-old took his new camera on perhaps the most momentous musical journey of the 20th century: The Beatles' invasion of America.

Hundreds of his photographs from that trip were recently rediscovered in McCartney's archive: "It was really nice," he said, "because I thought they were lost."

An exhibition of the images, collected in the book, "1964: Eyes of the Storm," originated at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The show is now on view at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.

He offered a tour of the exhibit to correspondent Anthony Mason.  

McCartney explained his process: "Taking photographs, I'd be just looking for a shot. And so, I'd aim the camera and just sort of see where I liked it, you know, oh, that's it .  And invariably, you pretty much take one picture.

"We were moving fast. So, you just learned to take pictures quickly."

One picture was taken as the group arrived at the Deauville Hotel in Miami. Mason said, "I think your quote in the book was, 'I can almost hear her scream.'"

"Yeah, you can!" McCartney laughed. "The cop is going to restrain her, you know?"

"I also love the cop in the foreground who just sort of looks puzzled by everything," said Mason.

"I like the architecture of that hotel," said McCartney. "But, you know, as we were saying before, that had to be taken really quickly, just to snap that."

"But, you have to have an eye to take that."

"It's my left one!"

The Beatles had started their trip in Paris. "And it was in Paris that we got the telegram, 'Congratulations, boys, number one in the U.S. charts.'"

In America they played "The Ed Sullivan Show." Seventy-three million people would tune in. It was, McCartney writes, "the moment all hell breaks loose."

Mason said, "To look at those pictures, it's kind of you looking at the world, looking at you. You seemed very comfortable with it."

"Yeah. I mean, you know, you got to think about it: We're kids from Liverpool. And we're trying to get famous, and it's not easy. And we were like stars in America, and people loved us. So, we loved it. And having that number one was really the secret – because, if the journalists, you know, New York journalists, 'Hey, Beatle! Hey, Beatle! Why you are here?' whatever. We say, 'We're number one in your country!' Bingo!"

From New York, The Beatles travelled by train to Washington, D.C. McCartney's camera took the ride, too.

So many of McCartney's pictures were taken on the move, including shots from his car of a policeman in Miami who'd pulled up next to him: "And that was basically what I saw. And we'd never seen policemen with guns. We just didn't have that in England."

But in Miami, McCartney broke out the color film. "For us, it was like going on holiday," he said.

The Fab Four even had a few days off.

Mason said, "There are some great shots of all of you with, like, it looked like terry-cloth jackets."

"Yeah, the hotel supplied them," McCartney said. "You normally get, like, a robe, but this place, because it was Miami, had these little cool, little short things – and hats! We lived in them for days. Even Brian [Epstein], our manager. We thought they were really cool items of clothing."

He caught George relaxing with an anonymous admirer: "In that picture, yeah, I don't think I was trying to protect her identity," McCartney said. "I love her bathing costume. So great. And, you know, there is George, like I keep saying, living the life. He's got a drink which is probably a scotch and Coke. He's got a tan, the girl in the yellow bikini. For lads from Liverpool, that was exceptionally wonderful!"

The band went back home to England in late February. By early April, The Beatles had the top five songs on the U.S. charts. McCartney writes, "We spent the months and years after holding on for dear life."

Mason asked, "Did you remember all these when you saw them?"

"Kind of," McCartney replied. "It was a very memorable period, you know?"

"But there was so much going on, I'm amazed you could process it and keep it all."

"Yeah, so am I!" McCartney said. "For me, it is like a little slice of American history. And it's my history, it's the Beatles' history. So, it was great to rediscover these pictures."

      An earlier version of this story was originally broadcast on June 18, 2023. 

        For more info:

• "1964: Eyes of the Storm"  by Paul McCartney (Liveright), in Hardcover, eBook and Spiral-bound formats, available via  Amazon ,  Barnes & Noble  and  Bookshop.org
• Exhibition:  "Paul McCartney Photographs: 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm"  at the Brooklyn Museum (through August 18)
• Paul McCartney

        Story produced by Ed Forgotson. Editor: Joseph Frandino. 

Anthony Mason is a senior culture and senior national correspondent for CBS News. He has been a frequent contributor to "CBS Sunday Morning."

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Texas Rangers Rookie Wyatt Langford Makes History By Hitting For The Cycle

Sam connon | jul 1, 2024.

• Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers enjoyed a blowout road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, thanks in large part to the historic contributions of rookie left fielder Wyatt Langford.

Langford went 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs and four RBI. More importantly, Langford hit for the cycle, becoming the first MLB player to do so in 2024.

After flying out to right in his first at-bat of the night, Langford checked off the triple to lead off the top of the fourth. He then added an RBI double in the top of the fifth before notching an infield single in the sixth.

Langford capped things off by blasting a three-run home run in the top of the eighth, taking Matt Krook yard with a 404-foot bomb that stayed just inside the left field foul pole.

✅ Single ✅ Double ✅ Triple ✅ Home run All 4 hits from Wyatt Langford's first career cycle ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/i85VqxaCzc — MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2024

Langford, naturally, made multiple instances of history during his all-around dominant performance at the plate on Sunday.

For one, Langford became the second rookie in Rangers history to hit for the cycle, and the first since Oddibe McDowell in 1985. There have now been 11 cycles recorded by Rangers hitters, with Langford's representing the first since Carlos Gomez's in 2017, per team broadcaster Jared Sandler .

Langford also became the eighth player since 1950 to hit for the cycle within their first 60 MLB appearances, according to MLB.com's Sarah Langs . Langford and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz are the only players to achieve the feat in the last 17 seasons.

On top of all that, Langford became the first player ever to hit for the cycle on "Sunday Night Baseball," as Lang passed along from the Elias Sports Bureau . ESPN has been broadcasting "Sunday Night Baseball" since 1990.

Langford is now batting .260 with four home runs, 35 RBI, seven stolen bases, a .712 OPS and a 0.5 WAR in 2024. The 22-year-old entered the season as the No. 2 prospect in the Rangers' farm system and the No. 6 prospect in all of baseball.

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Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.

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