Looking for fresh ideas for children's worship times? Use these simple lessons to engage the children in your congregation in learning about Christ.
Matthew 28:1-15
Prepare: Secure a small cross.
Teach:
- Show the cross. Explain that Jesus died on the cross, but after He died, they took His body down and placed it in a tomb.
- Briefly tell the story of the first Easter morning.
- Ask the children to say with you, "He has risen, just as He said."
Prayer suggestion: Thank God that Jesus has risen, just as he said.
Jesus Sent Out Helpers
Prepare: Bring your car keys and your Bible.
Teach:
- When Jesus gives us something to do, He also helps us and gives us the power to do it in His name.
- Tell the children you need someone to help you do something. Pick a helper. Show the child your car keys. Ask what he/she would think if you told him/her to go to your car, drive to your house, feed the dog, do the laundry, start cooking lunch and have it ready by the end of the worship service.
- Tell him/her you know that would be silly and you won't ask him/her to do those things. Instead, ask him/her to hold your Bible while you tell the story. Ask the children to listen to what Jesus asked His helpers to do.
- Tell the Bible story from Luke 10.
Prayer suggestion: Thank God that Jesus helps us to do the things He asks us to do.
Jesus Told About a Man Who Helped
Prepare: Ask three adults to help you on Sunday. One should be a neighbor.
Teach:
- Jesus loves all people and wants us to love everyone.
- Have the three adults sit where the children can see them.
- Tell the children that one of them is your neighbor.
- Ask the children to guess which one is your neighbor.
- Ask the "real neighbor" to "please stand up." The teacher of the law wanted to know who was his neighbor.
- Tell the Bible story from Luke 10.
Prayer suggestion: Ask God to help us follow Jesus' example and love all people.
Jesus Taught About Prayer
Prepare: Secure a cell phone. Arrange for someone to call you as you begin the children's sermon.
Teach:
- Jesus taught His followers to pray with boldness and persistence.
- Greet the children. Answer the phone. Ad-lib a brief conversation. Say that this isn't a good time for you to talk and hang up.
- Ask the children if they have seen a phone like the one you are holding.
- Ask whom they would call if they could call anyone in the whole world.
- Ask if anyone would like to call God and talk to Him.
- Remind the children that we can talk to God.
- Tell the Bible story from Luke 11.
Prayer suggestion: Thank God that we can talk to Him anytime and anywhere.
The Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son
Prepare: Secure a dollar coin or other interesting coin.
Teach:
- God rejoices when we turn from our wrong ways and seek a right relationship with Him.
- Show the coin. Ask the children what they would do if they had a coin and lost it.
- Ask what they would do if a pet ran away.
- Ask how they would feel.
- Ask how they would feel if someone in their family were lost or went away.
- Briefly tell the three parables.
Prayer suggestion: Thank God that He loves us even when we do wrong or make mistakes.
Zacchaeus
Prepare: Borrow a picture of Zacchaeus from a children's Sunday School department.
Teach:
- Jesus brings positive changes into the lives of those who follow Him.
- Ask the children who the tallest child is in the group.
- Ask the child to stand.
- Ask a shorter child to stand.
- Point out that neither child is finished growing yet. Both will get taller.
- Show the picture you brought.
- Tell the Bible story. Zacchaeus was finished growing physically, but he could still change in other, more important ways.
Prayer suggestion: Thank God that He can change our lives when we follow Him.
Jesus Received Little Children
Prepare: Ask a child to be ready to sit in your lap when you call his or her name during the children's sermon.
Teach:
- Jesus blessed the children to show they are important to Him.
- Tell the children that you usually bring something special to help them remember the children's story and that today, you have something really special.
- Name the child you have enlisted. After the child is in your lap, tell the Bible story.
- Tell the children that Jesus is never too busy for them. Jesus loves every one of them. Tell them that you do too.
Prayer suggestion: Thank God that children are special and important to Him.
