This lesson teaches children that God cares about the kind of people who serve in His church, and that good character matters more than being important. It is best for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God wants His helpers to be kind, honest, and faithful, and He can help us become those kinds of people every day.
Memory Verse
1 Timothy 3:16
Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and reach both arms high, like a big church roof, then slowly bring them down to their hearts as they say the words together. Repeat it three times, getting quieter each time, so the words sink in.
The Story: 1 Timothy 3 for Kids
A man named Paul wrote a letter to his friend Timothy, who was helping take care of the church in a busy city. Paul wanted Timothy to know what kind of people should lead and help in God’s house. He said that a good helper wants to do good work, and that God’s family needs people who are kind and fair. Paul wrote that a helper should not be a drinker, should not be mean, and should not love money more than God.
Paul also said that good leaders should take care of their own homes well. A helper who is patient and loving at home is ready to care for God’s people too. Paul explained that a new believer should wait before leading, so they do not become proud. Children, can you think of why being proud might get in the way of helping others?
Paul said that the people who help in God’s house should be tested and shown to be good first. He told Timothy, “Let them first be tested, and then let them serve if they are blameless.” Being blameless means that people trust you because you do the right thing. The helpers’ wives were also supposed to be kind, honest, and faithful.
At the end of the letter, Paul reminded everyone that God’s church is like a pillar that holds up the truth. Then he wrote about Jesus, who came to earth as a man, was seen by angels, was shared with many nations, and was taken up into glory. Paul wanted everyone to know that Jesus is the center of everything in God’s house.
Read It Together
1 Timothy 3:2-3
2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; 3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous…
(WEB)
Point out the words gentle, not quarrelsome, and not greedy. Ask children to act out what being gentle looks like when someone is upset, and talk about how we can show gentleness at school or at home.
1 Timothy 3:4-5
4 One who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; 5 (but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)
(WEB)
Show children that caring for family is a practice for caring for others. Ask them to name one way they can help at home this week, like setting the table or helping a younger sibling.
1 Timothy 3:15
But if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
(WEB)
Explain that the church is a family that God built, not just a building. Talk about how every person in the family matters, and how God uses each of us to show His truth.
Talk About It
- What is one thing a good helper in God’s house would do when someone is sad?
- Why do you think God wants helpers to be honest and kind?
- How can you show that you are faithful to a friend this week?
- What is one way you can take care of the people in your home?
- Why is it good to wait and learn before we try to lead others?
Activity Ideas
Build a Church Pillar Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Have each child draw a tall pillar on their paper, then write or draw one word on each section that describes a good helper, like kind, honest, or faithful. Let them share their pillar with the group and explain why each word matters.
Helper Freeze Game
Clear some space in a room and call out qualities from the lesson, such as gentle, patient, or honest. Children move around the room acting out each quality, and when you say freeze, they hold their pose. Give praise for creative movements and talk about how each quality shows God’s love.
Faithful Helper Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper strips, and a pen. Each day this week, have the child write down one faithful thing they did, like sharing a toy or helping with dishes, and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and thank God for helping them grow.
Teacher Notes
For adults, 1 Timothy 3 describes the qualities Paul hoped to see in church leaders and helpers, with a strong focus on character, family life, and integrity. The chapter also reminds us that the church is God’s household, and that everyone who serves in it is accountable to Him. Adults should see that these qualities are grown over time through faithfulness.
Avoid suggesting to children that they must be perfect before God can use them. The passage speaks about the character of those who lead, and children need to hear that God helps them grow into faithful people step by step, not all at once.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being the one who builds Your family and helps us grow. Help us be gentle, honest, and kind to the people around us. Teach us to be faithful in small things and to trust You with big things. We love You and want to follow You every day. Amen.
