FREE Anime Jesus Posters for Kids Ministry (Created with AI)
We used Canva AI Image Generator to create a series of 27 posters of an anime-style Jesus in various settings, like praying, healing a little girl, and even eating pho with friends.
How Did This Come About?
I’ve been developing kids ministry curriculum and content for over a decade, and there is always one question that lingers at the back of my mind - How can we make teaching more enjoyable and relevant to our youngest generation?
This question stays with me every time I create new lesson plans or graphics, and sometimes, it even visits me in my dreams, reminding me that I am only getting older and more out of touch with our little ones!
One form of media that has become increasingly popular is anime and manga. Since the pandemic, these forms of storytelling, in both books and animation, have become household staples worldwide. In fact, one out of every three people watches anime or reads manga, and over 100 million households have watched at least one anime on Netflix since 2020.
As a huge fan myself, this got me thinking: how can I use the popularity of anime/manga in our Kids Ministry to make learning about Bible characters or reading the Bible more interactive and fun?
This question led me to a simple but incredibly fun idea—telling the story of Jesus as if He was an anime hero, and we used AI to help us get there!
Download Posters or Access the Canva File
Are you already a Canva user? Access our template directly and add it to your account.
A Few Notes:
1. We know that some of these posters are not historically accurate. They aren’t meant to be. They’re meant to be fun and relatable for kids.
2. We also know that some of the hands and fingers look really weird. That’s one of the problems with AI; it has an incredibly difficult time rendering hands. Go figure!
3. If you’re not comfortable using AI in the church, that’s okay. You don’t have to be. But, we have found some wonderful uses of it within our ministries.
Follow These Steps to Make Your Own Designs
Step 1 – Use an AI Image Generator (We use Canva!)
Finding a reliable AI image generator to bring your ideas to life is the first step.
There are several popular options available in the market, such as Midjourney, Dall-E 2, and NightCafe.
While both free and paid versions of these generators are available, the free versions usually have limitations, such as slower rendering times or a cap on the number of images that can be generated in a day.
But you don’t have to commit to an expensive AI subscription. You might already have access to a great AI-powered tool that you're not fully utilizing—Canva!
I cannot say enough good things about Canva! I was first introduced to it when I joined RiverLife, and I have never looked back. I create all my handouts and posters in it now. I highly recommend giving it a try. The even have a low-cost premium subscription for non-profit organizations.
Step 2 – Brainstorm Ideas
Now that you have the tools to create anything your mind can imagine, the next thing you need to accomplish is to put your brain to work.
What is a theme or an idea that would level up your next series? Think big! Don’t let your current budget or resources limit you from dreaming. Remember, you don’t have to be able to create, you just have to be creative.
Is it anime like ours? Maybe it’s a superhero or princess theme. Maybe you want to imagine all Bible characters asMuppets as Sesame Street transforms into ancient Israel.
No idea is too strange or out of reach with AI. Now that you have your idea, let it grow!
Step 3 – Create your Canva Document
Are you ready to create your first AI image? Let's get started!
First, design a new layout and select its size. I usually prefer custom 11” x 17” posters as they can be easily printed on our copier.
The AI image generator is under the “Elements” tab. Look for a plus sign (+) labeled “Generate Your Own.” Click on it to see the “Text to Image” text prompt and settings, such as styles and aspect ratio. For posters, I recommend using the portrait ratio.
After you are comfortable with the style and ratio, head to the text box and make your first AI-generated image!
Step 4 – Experiment to Find the Right Prompt
This step is all about trial and error. You will see some really amazing and extremely goofy things during this process.
The quality of the images generated by the AI will depend on how well you word your prompts. If you use too many descriptors or have poor grammar, the images will reflect that.
Here’s one example of a simple yet effective prompt that I used to create one of my posters: "Anime style Jesus smiling with friends".
By typing this prompt in your text box, you will get four different images. If one is close but not quite right, you can click the three dots on the top-right image and choose "Generate more like this".
If none of the generated images are close to what you have in mind, you can either click "Generate again" at the bottom or try a new prompt. Don't give up on an idea. Just figure out how to use prompts effectively to help the AI understand what's in your mind.
What’s Your Next Step?
Maybe you would like to decorate your classroom with our anime Jesus posters. Go for it!
Perhaps this article inspired you, and you’ve already jumped into Canva and started designing.
Or maybe you want to develop a strategy for when AI takes over the world. My strategy to save humanity would be to prompt AI to "draw a realistic-looking set of hands." It would eventually get stuck in an unending cycle of failure, crash, and humanity would be saved.
Appendix: List of All 27 Posters
Jesus Prays
Jesus Died on the Cross
Jesus, The Prince of Peace
Jesus Defeated Death
Jesus Defeats Demons
Jesus Feeds 5,000 People
Jesus with Mary and Joesph
Jesus Heals a Little Girl
Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Walk
Jesus Heals a Man Who is Blind
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus Turns Water into Wine
Jesus: Baby Photo Shoot
Jesus: 5th Grade Photo Shoot
Jesus and His Disciples
Jesus and Kids
Jesus and More Kids
Jesus and Pho with Friends
Jesus and Boba
Jesus and Pizza with Friends
Jesus and Donuts with Friends
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
Jesus Transfiguration
Jesus Running with Friends
Jesus Was a Carpenter
Jesus Gets Baptized
Jesus at the Costume Carnival
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