This lesson teaches children that God uses ordinary, small, and weak people to show how great and wise He is. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God can do great things with people who feel small, because His power works best when we trust Him instead of trying to look strong on our own.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong…
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with arms stretched wide for “God chose the foolish things,” then bend low and curl up small for “the weak things of the world.” Repeat the motion together three times so the small-and-big idea sticks in their bodies.
The Story: 1 Corinthians 1 for Kids
A man named Paul wrote a letter to the people in the city of Corinth. Paul had helped start their church, and he loved them very much. He began by telling them how thankful he was that God had given them many good gifts, and that God would keep helping them until the very end.
But Paul had heard some sad news. The Corinthian friends were arguing and splitting into groups. One group said, “I follow Paul!” Another said, “I follow Apollos!” Another said, “I follow Peter!” Paul gently reminded them, “Is Christ divided?” Jesus is the one everyone should follow, not any one leader.
Next, Paul talked about the cross, where Jesus died. Some people thought that dying on a cross looked silly, like foolishness. But Paul said that the message of the cross is really God’s power to save everyone who trusts Jesus. What looked weak was actually the strongest thing in the world.
Paul also pointed out something surprising about the Corinthian friends themselves. Not many of them were rich, famous, or very important. Many were ordinary people. Paul said, “God chose the things that seem foolish, and the weak things, and the lowly things.” God does this so that no one can brag about themselves. Instead, everyone can boast only about the Lord.
Read It Together
1 Corinthians 1:4-5
4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; 5 that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge…
(WEB)
Point out that Paul started his letter with thanks, not with complaints. Ask the children what they can thank God for today, and show them that thankfulness is a good way to begin talking with God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
(WEB)
Explain that the cross looked like a failure to many people, but God used it to save us. Point out that the “power of God” can be found in things that look small or sad at first. Help children see that God’s plans are often bigger than what we can see.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
30 Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, according as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
(WEB)
Show the children that because of Jesus, we belong to Him, and He is our wisdom, our righteousness, and our rescue. Explain that when we boast, we should boast about the Lord and not about ourselves. Encourage them to name one thing they are proud to belong to Jesus for.
Talk About It
- What is something you are good at, and how can you use it to help someone else?
- Why do you think Paul was sad when the friends in Corinth said they only followed one person?
- When have you felt small or not very important, and how did you feel about that?
- Why do you think God chooses people who seem weak or ordinary to do His work?
- How can we show that our biggest hero is Jesus and not just one leader or friend?
Activity Ideas
Tiny Seed, Big Tree Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a small paper cup of soil or a folded paper “seed.” Have each child draw a small seed in the bottom corner and a big, full tree across the top of the page. Talk together about how God can grow something great from something small, just as He did with the early church in Corinth.
Stand Tall, Bend Low Game
Clear a space in the room and call out phrases from the memory verse. When you say “foolish” or “strong,” children stand tall. When you say “weak” or “lowly,” they bend down low. Play a few rounds, mixing up the order, and finish by reading the whole verse together while the children move.
Take-Home Thankful Card
Give each child an index card, a pencil, and a sticker or two. Ask them to write “Thank you, God, for” on one side and fill in something they are thankful for. On the other side, have them draw a picture of how they can show Jesus is their hero this week. Encourage them to share the card with their family at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter reminds us that the church does not rest on human status, eloquence, or cleverness. Paul wanted the Corinthians to see that God’s wisdom often looks like foolishness to the world, and that the gospel humbles us all so that Christ alone receives the glory. It is a call to unity and to humble trust in the cross.
Avoid overstating to children that God only uses people who feel weak, or that being smart or successful is bad. The point is that no one earns God’s favor and that God gets the glory, not that talents should be hidden. Keep the focus on Jesus being our wisdom and strength.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You that You choose us even when we feel small. Help us to trust You and not to show off. Help us be kind and work together like one family. Thank You that You are our wisdom and our strength. Amen.
