This lesson teaches children that Jesus wants us to love God with our whole heart and to show kindness to anyone who needs help, even someone we do not know. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
Big Idea
Jesus wants us to love God and to be kind to everyone, just like the helper in his story who stopped to help a stranger.
Memory Verse
Luke 10:27
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart, then open both arms wide like you are giving a big hug. Say the verse together while you move your arms, and repeat it three times with more movement each time.
The Story: Luke 10 for Kids
Jesus sent out seventy friends, two by two, to every town he was going to visit. He told them that the workers were few, so they should pray for God to send more helpers. He said they would be like lambs among wolves, so they needed to trust God and not carry a lot of extra things with them.
The friends came back full of joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” Jesus was happy for them, but he reminded them that the best reason to rejoice was that their names were written in heaven. Then Jesus thanked his Father for showing these big truths to children and not only to people who think they are very wise.
A lawyer stood up and asked Jesus a question to test him. “What must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus asked him what the law said, and the man answered that we must love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said, “You have answered correctly.”
The man wanted to know who his neighbor was, so Jesus told a story. A man was hurt and left on the road by robbers. A priest and a Levite both saw him and walked past on the other side. But a Samaritan traveler saw him, felt sorry for him, bandaged his wounds, and took him to an inn to take care of him. Jesus asked which person was the neighbor, and the man said, “The one who showed mercy.” Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”
Later Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha was busy cooking and cleaning, but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to him. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus gently said, “Martha, you are worried about many things, but Mary has chosen the good part, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Read It Together
Luke 10:2
Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus told his friends to pray for God to send more workers. Ask the children what kinds of help people need in their own church and neighborhood.
Luke 10:33-34
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 34 came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
(WEB)
Show how the Samaritan noticed the hurt man, came close, and cared for him. Let the children act out the bandaging and helping while you read the words slowly.
Luke 10:41-42
41 Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus loved Martha and gently reminded her what matters most. Talk about how it is good to help others and also good to take time to listen to Jesus.
Talk About It
- Who was the hurt man’s neighbor in Jesus’ story, and what made that person a good neighbor?
- Why do you think the priest and the Levite walked past the man instead of helping?
- What is one way you can show love to someone at school or at home this week?
- How did Mary choose the good part, and what can we learn from her?
- Why did Jesus want his friends to rejoice that their names were written in heaven?
Activity Ideas
Heart and Hands Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace a hand on paper, cut it out, and draw a heart in the middle of the palm. On the fingers, let them write or draw ways they can help a neighbor, such as sharing a toy or helping carry groceries. Hang the hands together on a wall as a reminder of Luke 10:27.
Good Neighbor Game
You will need a few soft balls or rolled socks and a open space. Set up two cones or chairs as the road and place a child in the middle as the hurt traveler. Other children take turns being the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan, and they move past or stop to help. Afterward, let everyone practice helping by picking up toys or handing out cups of water.
Take-Home Helper Jar
You will need a small jar or cup, paper strips, and a pen. Have each child write one kind thing they did during the week and drop it in the jar. Read the notes together at dinner or at the next class. Thank God for the ways you saw his love shown through your family and friends.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that loving God and loving people go together. The parable of the Good Samaritan makes clear that a neighbor is anyone in need, not only people who are like us, and the story of Martha and Mary reminds us that service should flow from time spent with Jesus.
When teaching children, avoid making the lesson only about being good to earn God’s favor. Keep the focus on Jesus’ love and the joy of being a friend to others, so children do not feel that their kindness must be perfect to matter.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and for showing us how to love others. Help us to love you with our whole heart and to be kind to everyone we meet. Help us to notice people who need help and to listen to you each day. Amen.
