In this lesson, children learn that Jesus cares most about what is in our hearts, not just whether our hands are clean. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a verse, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God looks at our hearts. Washing our hands is good, but what we say and think matters even more to Jesus.
Memory Verse
Mark 7:15
There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
(WEB)
Teach the verse one phrase at a time. For each phrase, touch your hands to your heart, then open them outward like you are giving something away. Ask children to do it with you three times, slowly, then faster.
The Story: Mark 7 for Kids
One day some religious leaders called Pharisees came to Jesus. They had come from Jerusalem, and they were watching Jesus’ friends, the disciples. The disciples were about to eat bread, and they had not washed their hands the way the leaders thought they should. The leaders did not like this, so they asked Jesus why his friends did not follow the old traditions.
Jesus answered them with a hard truth. He said the leaders were careful about rules for washing cups and pitchers, but their hearts were far from God. He told them that some of their rules were really taking the place of God’s own commands. Jesus was not against clean hands. He was showing them that outside rules are not the most important thing.
Then Jesus called the whole crowd close and spoke to them plainly. He said, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand.” He explained that nothing from outside a person can make that person unclean in God’s eyes. What comes out of a person’s heart, like unkind thoughts and hurtful words, is what really shows what is inside.
Later, Jesus traveled to the region around Tyre and Sidon. A woman whose little daughter was very sick came and knelt at his feet and asked for help. Jesus told her that the children should be fed first, but she answered with faith, and Jesus healed her daughter. When she went home, she found her child lying peacefully on the bed, and the sickness was gone.
Finally, Jesus met a man who could not hear and could hardly speak. Jesus gently put his fingers in the man’s ears, touched his tongue, looked up to heaven, and said, “Be opened!” At once the man could hear and speak clearly. The people were amazed and said, “He has done all things well.”
Read It Together
Mark 7:6-8
6 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 But they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.”
(WEB)
Point out the words “their heart is far from me.” Explain that the leaders looked very careful on the outside, but their hearts were not close to God. Ask children how we can tell when someone’s words and actions do not match what is in their heart.
Mark 7:20-23
20 He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus listed things that come from inside a person, such as unkind thoughts and wrong choices. Explain that these are the things that really make a person’s heart need God’s help, and that everyone needs Jesus to change their hearts.
Mark 7:37
They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!”
(WEB)
Point out that the people were amazed at everything Jesus did. Remind children that Jesus does all things well, including the things he does for us every day. Encourage them to tell what they think Jesus has done well.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means that God looks at our hearts first?
- Why did Jesus say that unkind words come from inside us, not from outside?
- How did the woman show she trusted Jesus when she asked for help?
- What can you do this week to keep your heart close to God?
- Why do you think the people said Jesus does all things well?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a large heart on paper and cut it out. Ask them to write or draw one kind thing they can say or do this week, then tape the heart to the fridge or a bedroom door as a reminder that Jesus looks at the heart.
Clean Heart Relay
You will need two bowls, a cup of water, and a few small cups or spoons. Set up a relay where children carry a spoon of water from one bowl to another without spilling it, then say one kind word when they arrive. Explain that the water shows how easy it is to spill, but Jesus helps us keep our hearts clean.
Take-Home Hand and Heart Card
You will need a sheet of cardstock, a pencil, and a marker. Have children trace one hand on the card, then write “Jesus looks at my heart” in the middle of the palm. Encourage them to read the card at dinner or before bed and talk about one thing they did that showed a clean heart.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus is not against good habits or outward signs of faith. He is pointing to a deeper problem: rules can be kept carefully while the heart stays far from God. The passage invites every believer to examine what truly comes out of the heart, and to bring that heart to Jesus for healing and change.
Avoid overstating the point to children by suggesting that washing hands or following rules is bad or unimportant. Children should understand that good habits matter, but that Jesus cares most about love and honesty in the heart.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you for loving us and looking at our hearts. Help us keep our hearts close to you. Help us say kind words and do kind things, and help us trust you when we need help. Thank you that you do all things well. Amen.
