This lesson teaches children that Jesus is God’s Son and that we should give God our whole hearts, because everything we have belongs to him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, a few questions, and a short activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is God’s own Son, and everything we have belongs to God. We can trust him and give him our hearts.
Memory Verse
Luke 20:25
He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold out both hands, palms up, as they say “Give to God what is God’s.” Then have them cup their hands over their hearts. Repeat it a few times with the motions until they can say it without looking.
The Story: Luke 20 for Kids
One day Jesus was teaching the people in the temple in Jerusalem. He was telling them about God’s good news, and everyone was listening closely. Some of the leaders came up to him and asked, “Who gave you the right to do these things?” They wanted to trap him with their questions.
Jesus answered with a question of his own. He asked them whether John the Baptist’s message came from heaven or from people. The leaders argued among themselves, because they did not want to say the wrong thing. In the end, they said they did not know, so Jesus did not answer their question either.
Then Jesus told a story about a man who planted a vineyard and rented it to some farmers. He went away for a long time. When it was time to collect his share of the fruit, he sent a servant, but the farmers beat the servant and sent him away. He sent another servant, and then a third, and the farmers treated them badly too.
At last the owner said, “I will send my own dear son. Surely they will respect him.” But the farmers saw the son and said, “Let’s kill him so the vineyard will be ours.” Jesus asked what the owner would do next, and he said the owner would come and give the vineyard to others.
Then Jesus said that the stone the builders threw away became the most important stone of all. The leaders understood that the story was about them, and they wanted to arrest him right away. But they were afraid of the crowds, so they waited.
Some people then tried to trick Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. He asked them to show him a coin and whose face was on it. They said it was Caesar’s. Jesus said to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to give God what belongs to God. They were amazed and had no reply.
Read It Together
Luke 20:37-38
37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus says God is the God of the living, not the dead. Explain that God keeps his promises to people forever. Ask the children what it means that God is always with his people.
Luke 20:9-10
9 He began to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time. 10 At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty.
(WEB)
Show the children how the owner keeps sending servants, even after they are treated badly. Point out that God is patient and keeps reaching out to people. Ask them to notice how kind the owner is.
Luke 20:46-47
46 “Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus warns people not to pretend to be good just to look important. Remind the children that God cares about what is in our hearts, not just how we look on the outside.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to give God what belongs to God?
- How did the farmers in the story act, and how do you think the owner felt about them?
- Why do you think Jesus said God is the God of the living?
- What is one way you can show God that you trust him this week?
- Why is it important to be honest and kind even when no one is watching?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Coin and a Heart
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a real coin if you have one. Ask each child to trace the coin on one side of the paper and draw a big heart on the other side. Talk about how the coin belongs to Caesar, but the heart belongs to God. Let them color their drawings and take them home to remind them of the lesson.
Pass the Vineyard Basket
You will need a small basket or bowl and a few soft items like socks or cloth balls. Sit the children in a circle and pass the basket around while the music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the basket says the memory verse with the hand motions. Repeat until everyone has had a turn.
Take Home a Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and tape or a rubber band. Have each child write or draw one way they want to give God their heart this week, such as helping at home or being kind to a friend. Help them put the card in a pocket or wallet so they can look at it often. Encourage them to share it with their family at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus has authority from God, and that the leaders who opposed him were trying to protect their own power. The parable of the vineyard points to God’s patience with people and to the way Jesus would be rejected. The lesson on taxes and the lesson on the resurrection both teach that we owe God our whole lives, and that God is faithful even beyond death.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that the leaders were simply bad people. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is good and worthy of our trust, and that Jesus is his Son. Let children ask questions about the story, and do not rush to tie up every detail.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that Jesus is your Son and that you love us so much. Help us to give you our hearts and trust you with everything. Thank you that you are the God of the living and that you are always with us. Help us to be honest and kind this week. Amen.
