Getting Started with Passport to the Nations: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families, Churches, and Educators
You’ve discovered Passport to the Nations—a vibrant, hands-on missions curriculum that introduces kids to cultures, countries, and God’s heart for the world. Whether you’re a homeschool parent, children’s ministry leader, classroom teacher, or small group facilitator, you might be wondering, “How do I actually use this curriculum in my setting?”
Good news! Passport to the Nations is designed to be flexible, easy to implement, and adaptable to a variety of group sizes, schedules, and teaching styles. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
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Step 1: Choose Your Format
Passport to the Nations offers a few different formats, depending on your setting and timeframe:
Passport Adventure Club: Ideal for homeschool, homeschool co-ops, private schools, or programs that are seeking extensive, robust missions curriculum.
Passport Mission Club: A condensed but engaging missions curriculum for churches. This curriculum is flexible, easy to use and engaging.
Passport 5 Day Club: Perfect for condensed settings such as summer camps, missions weeks, or VBS-style events
Choose the version that best fits your context—and don’t worry, each one includes clear instructions and materials.
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Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
Once you’ve selected your format, check the included supply list for your chosen continent or module. You’ll typically need:
• A globe or world map
• Craft materials (easy to find, household or classroom items)
• Printable passports (included)
• Any specialty items (like food samples or cultural decorations, if you choose to include them)
Pro tip: Enlist help from parents or volunteers to gather or prep materials in advance.
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Step 3: Set Your Schedule
Structure your lessons based on your available time. For example:
• Week Night: One country per week
• Once a Month: One country per month, with deeper crafts or cooking
• VBS Format: One country per day or continent over multiple days
Each lesson includes a welcome activity, a cultural exploration, a missionary story, a hands-on activity or craft, and prayer time. You can scale the activities up or down based on the time you have.
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Step 4: Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
Decorate your space like a “travel hub”—post maps, flags, or continent-themed displays. Print out each student’s “passport” and stamp it as they visit each country. Play traditional music during transitions or background time.
Immersion helps kids feel like they’re truly traveling the world, even if they never leave the room.
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Step 5: Teach with Confidence (No Global Expertise Required!)
You don’t need to be a geography or missions expert to lead this curriculum. Each lesson gives you everything you need to know:
• A summary of the country or culture
• A story of a missionary or local believer
• Fun facts and vocabulary
• Ideas for crafts, games, food, and prayer
Just be curious and enthusiastic—and your kids will follow your lead!
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Step 6: Invite Families Into the Journey
Passport to the Nations isn’t just for kids—it’s a chance to grow family vision for global missions. Consider:
• Sending home country “travel reports”
• Hosting a passport night for parents
• Creating a “Taste of the Nations” celebration to wrap up the year
When families participate together, the impact multiplies.
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Step 7: Keep It Flexible and Fun
Every group is different, and every leader brings unique strengths. Don’t feel pressure to “do it all.” Some groups love cooking and crafts; others love stories and prayer. Make it your own.
The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to help kids discover God’s love for the world and their role in His mission.
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You’re Ready to Go!
With your materials gathered, your schedule set, and your heart ready, you’re fully equipped to lead kids on a life-shaping global adventure. No passport is required—just a willingness to explore, learn, and love like Jesus.