This lesson teaches children that when someone belongs to Jesus, God makes them brand new, and God is the one who makes it happen. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
When you belong to Jesus, you are a new creation, and God is the one who makes you new and gives you a fresh start.
Memory Verse
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
(WEB)
Hold both hands up, palms facing out, then slowly turn them over and bring them down like a box being unwrapped. As you say the verse, open your arms wide on the word “new.” Let the children repeat the motions three times, each time a little bigger.
The Story: 2 Corinthians 5 for Kids
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, a busy city full of people who were learning about Jesus for the first time. Paul knew that our bodies are like tents that wear out and fall apart one day. He wanted the people to know that God has something much better waiting for them, a home that will last forever.
Paul told them that God has given His Spirit to His people as a sign that He will keep His promise. Because of this, Paul said, believers can be brave. They walk by faith and not by what they can see, trusting God even when they cannot see Him.
Next, Paul talked about Jesus. Jesus died for everyone, so people who belong to Him no longer have to live only for themselves. They can live for Jesus, the One who loved them enough to give His life. Paul said, “Look, everything is new!” Those who belong to Christ have a fresh start, and the old way of living has passed away.
Paul also explained that God made peace between Himself and people through Jesus. God did not hold people’s wrongs against them. Instead, He invited them to be friends with Him again. Paul said that he and his friends were like messengers, sent to tell everyone about this good news and to ask people to come back to God.
Finally, Paul wrote that Jesus took our sin so that we could be made right with God. Jesus never did anything wrong, yet He took the blame for us, so we could receive God’s goodness. This is the wonderful gift that changes everything.
Read It Together
2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
(WEB)
Point out that God has a home prepared for His children that will never fall apart. Ask the children what they think a home that lasts forever might look like. Let them share their ideas before you explain.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
(WEB)
Show the children that walking by faith means trusting God even when we cannot see what He is doing. You might blindfold one child and have a friend guide them with a gentle voice, so they feel what trusting someone looks like.
2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
(WEB)
Explain that believers are like ambassadors, which means messengers who carry good news for a king. Ask the children who they could tell about Jesus this week, and help them think of one simple way to share.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means that God made you new when you belong to Jesus?
- Why do you think Paul said our bodies are like tents, and what do you think God has waiting for us?
- How can we walk by faith when we cannot see God with our eyes?
- What did Jesus do so that we could be friends with God again?
- Who is one person you could tell about Jesus this week, and what could you say?
Activity Ideas
Caterpillar to Butterfly Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a caterpillar on one side of a folded paper and a butterfly on the other. Talk about how a butterfly is a new creation, and remind the children that God makes us new too. Let them color and decorate their creations while you talk about the change.
Clean Slate Game
You will need a chalkboard, whiteboard, or large sheet of paper, plus a damp cloth. Have children draw a quick picture or write a word on the board. Then wipe the board clean and say, “Everything is new!” Repeat a few times, and let the children take turns being the one who wipes the board clean as you talk about how God gives us a fresh start.
Fresh Start Card
You will need index cards, pens, and envelopes. Have each child write or draw one thing they want a fresh start on, such as being kinder at school or sharing more at home. Let them place the card in an envelope to take home. Encourage them to look at it during the week and to pray about it with a parent or family member.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Christian life is grounded in what God has done, not in what we accomplish. Paul speaks of a hope that goes beyond this life, of the Spirit given as a guarantee, and of Christ reconciling people to God through His death and resurrection. Believers are called to live for Christ and to serve as messengers of reconciliation.
When teaching children, avoid overstating how the verse about being a new creation works in every situation. Children may connect it to feelings or behavior, so gently remind them that God’s work of making us new is His gift, and that they are loved even on days when they make mistakes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for making us new when we belong to Jesus. Help us remember that we can trust You even when we cannot see You. Show us who we can tell about Your love this week, and help us live for You each day. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
