In this lesson, children learn that God makes us his family through faith in Jesus, not by trying to earn his love. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves us and makes us his children because we trust Jesus, and everyone who trusts Jesus belongs to the same family.
Memory Verse
Galatians 3:26
For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands out, palms up, then bring them together in front of their chest as if hugging. Say the verse together while doing the motion, so the hug reminds them they belong to God’s family.
The Story: Galatians 3 for Kids
A man named Paul had visited a group of friends in a town called Galatia. He had told them the good news that Jesus died and rose again to save them. The friends believed him and became part of God’s family.
After Paul left, some other teachers came to Galatia. They told the friends that they had to do lots of rules to be right with God. The friends began to feel unsure whether God really loved them. Paul was sad to hear this, because he knew they had already received God’s Spirit by trusting Jesus.
Paul asked them a simple question. Did God give them his Spirit because they kept rules, or because they heard the good news and believed it? Everyone knew the answer. They had believed.
Paul reminded them of a man named Abraham. Abraham trusted God, and God counted his trust as right. God had promised Abraham that many nations would be blessed through him. That promise came true through Jesus.
Paul told them that Jesus took the punishment we deserved, so that everyone could be blessed. Now there is no Jew or Greek, no slave or free person, and no difference between boys and girls in God’s family. Everyone who belongs to Jesus is one family. Paul said, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s children.” That means God’s promise belongs to them too.
Read It Together
Galatians 3:6-7
6 Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.
(WEB)
Point out that Abraham simply believed God, and Paul says that people who trust God are Abraham’s children. Ask the children what it means to trust someone, and remind them that trusting God is something anyone can do.
Galatians 3:13-14
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus took the curse we deserved so that God’s blessing could come to us. Help the children see that Jesus did the hard work, and we receive his gift by believing.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
(WEB)
Show the children that in Jesus, people who look different, speak different languages, or come from different places are all one family. Ask them to name kids they know who are different from them but belong to Jesus too.
Talk About It
- What is something a family does together that shows they belong to each other?
- Why do you think God wants us to trust him instead of trying to earn his love?
- How did Abraham show that he trusted God?
- What is one way you could welcome someone new into your group at school or church?
- Why is it good news that Jesus makes everyone part of the same family?
Activity Ideas
Family Tree Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child draw a large tree and write or draw the names of people who love them on the branches. Then talk about how God is the Father of everyone who trusts Jesus, and draw a heart in the center of the tree to represent God’s love.
Hands Together Game
Have the children stand in a circle and hold hands. Call out different descriptions such as “wearing blue” or “has a pet” and have children who match step into the center. End by having everyone link hands and say the memory verse together, showing that we are all one in Jesus.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Ask them to write “I belong to God’s family” on one side and draw a small cross on the other. Encourage them to place the card where they will see it each morning and read it aloud to a family member at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter teaches that God’s blessing comes through faith in Christ, not through keeping the law as a way to earn God’s favor. Paul uses Abraham’s example to show that the promise was always about faith. The lesson is that every believer, Jew or Gentile, male or female, slave or free, becomes one family through Jesus.
When teaching children, avoid making the lesson about rules being bad. Keep the focus on God’s love and the simple truth that we belong to him by trusting Jesus.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you that you love us and make us your children when we trust Jesus. Help us to remember that we belong to your family, and help us to welcome everyone who trusts you as our brothers and sisters. Thank you for the good news of Jesus. Amen.
