This lesson teaches children that God wants us to take care of our families and to help people who have no one else to help them, like widows. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, Bible reading, and activity.
Big Idea
God cares for people who are alone or in need, and he wants us to love and help our own families and the people around us.
Memory Verse
1 Timothy 5:4
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
(WEB)
Teach children to put one hand on their heart and then open both arms wide, like giving a big hug. Say the verse together while you do the motion, then repeat it again, making the hug a little bigger each time. Children remember Bible words best when their bodies help them say the words.
The Story: 1 Timothy 5 for Kids
Long ago, a young pastor named Timothy was helping a church in a busy city. His friend Paul had written him a letter to tell him how to take care of the church family. Paul said that Timothy should treat the older men like fathers and the older women like mothers. He should treat the younger men and women like brothers and sisters.
In that time, some women lost their husbands and had no money to live on. These women were called widows, and the church was supposed to help them. Paul told Timothy that if a widow had children or grandchildren, those family members should take care of her first. “Show love to your own family,” Paul said, “and give back to the ones who cared for you.”
Paul also told Timothy about a widow who had no family at all. She trusted God and spent her days praying. The church should honor her and help her. Paul wanted the church to be a place where everyone who needed help could find it.
Paul also said that church leaders who worked hard, teaching God’s Word and caring for people, should be respected and thanked. He reminded Timothy that a worker deserves to be paid for his work. Paul also told Timothy to be fair and kind, and to treat everyone the same.
At the end of the letter, Paul told Timothy to take care of his own health too. He said Timothy could drink a little wine to help his stomach. Paul wanted Timothy to be strong so he could keep serving God and his church.
Read It Together
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
(WEB)
Point out that Paul says taking care of our own family is an important way of living out our faith. Ask children who in their family helps them each day, and talk about how they can show thanks to those people this week.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
(WEB)
Explain that the church leaders who work hard to teach God’s Word should be honored and thanked. Ask children to name a teacher, pastor, or helper at church who serves them, and suggest a simple way to say thank you.
1 Timothy 5:1-2
1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
(WEB)
Show children that Paul tells Timothy to treat people with respect and kindness, like family. Point out how the words father, mother, brother, and sister remind us that everyone in God’s church belongs together.
Talk About It
- Who is someone in your family who takes care of you, and how do they show their love?
- What is one way you could help someone who is lonely or has a hard time at home?
- Why do you think God wants us to care for our own families first?
- How can you show respect to older people at church or school?
- What is one thing you can do this week to thank someone who helps you?
Activity Ideas
Family Thank-You Card
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to fold a sheet of paper in half and draw a picture of a family member or helper on the front. Inside, have them write or dictate one thing they are thankful for. Let them give the card to that person during the week.
Helping Hands Relay
You will need two baskets, a handful of soft toys or socks, and a space to run. Divide children into two teams. Each child carries one item from one basket to the other basket, then runs back to tag the next player. Afterward, talk about how the team worked together to help each other, just as the church is meant to care for one another.
Care Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, paper, and a pen. Decorate the jar together and place it somewhere the family sees it. Each week, have children write one way they helped someone at home or at church and drop the note into the jar. Read the notes together on a family night to celebrate how God’s love is shown through everyday kindness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that caring for family is a real part of living out faith, and that the church has a responsibility to care for those who have no one else, especially widows. It also honors church leaders who serve faithfully, and it calls every believer to live with integrity and kindness toward others.
When teaching children, avoid making it sound like God only helps people who do good things. Instead, emphasize that God loves everyone, and that his love leads us to care for others in gratitude and trust.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for our families and for the people who take care of us. Help us to show your love at home, at church, and wherever we go. Teach us to be kind to those who feel alone, and to thank the people who serve us. We love you, and we trust you to help us. Amen.
