This Matthew 15 Sunday school lesson teaches children that God cares most about what is inside our hearts, not only about the rules we keep on the outside. Kids ages 5 to 11 can follow it, and the whole lesson takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God looks at the heart. What we say and do comes from what is inside us, so we should ask Jesus to make our hearts clean and kind.
Memory Verse
Matthew 15:18
But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
(WEB)
Have the children place one hand over their heart and tap it gently while they say the verse together. Then have them point to their mouth, then their heart, to show that words come from inside. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Matthew 15 for Kids
One day some religious leaders came to Jesus from Jerusalem. They noticed that Jesus’ friends did not wash their hands before they ate, and they did not like it. They said, “Why don’t your friends follow the rules?” Jesus knew they cared more about their own rules than about loving God and their parents.
Jesus called the crowd close and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into your mouth does not make you dirty inside. What comes out of your mouth shows what is in your heart.” He explained that unkind words, lies, and mean thoughts start in the heart, and those things are what really make a person unclean.
Later, a woman from a place called Canaan came to Jesus. Her daughter was very sick, and she cried out, “Lord, please help me!” At first Jesus did not answer her, and then he said he had come for the people of Israel. The woman did not give up. She said, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs under the table.” Jesus was amazed at her faith and said, “Woman, your faith is great!” Her daughter was healed right away.
Next, a large crowd gathered beside the lake, and many sick people came to Jesus. He healed them, and the people were amazed and praised God. Jesus felt sorry for the crowd, because they had been with him for three days and had nothing to eat.
Jesus asked his friends how much food they had. They found seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. Jesus thanked God, broke the bread and fish, and gave them to his friends to pass out. Everyone ate until they were full, and there were even seven baskets of leftovers. About four thousand men ate, not counting the women and children.
Read It Together
Matthew 15:8-9
8 ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus says people can say the right words with their mouths while their hearts are far away from God. Ask the children how they can make sure their hearts are close to God when they pray or sing.
Matthew 15:26-28
26 But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
(WEB)
Show the children that the woman kept asking for help even when it seemed like Jesus said no. Explain that Jesus praised her faith. Ask them what it looks like to keep trusting God when things feel hard.
Matthew 15:36-37
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 37 They all ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus thanked God before he shared the food. Explain that the disciples helped pass out the food, and everyone had plenty. Talk about how God provides for us and how we can share what we have with others.
Talk About It
- What is one mean thing that can start in our hearts before it comes out of our mouths?
- Why do you think Jesus cares more about our hearts than about the rules we follow?
- What did the woman from Canaan do when Jesus did not answer her right away?
- How did Jesus show that he cares about the hungry crowd?
- What is one way you can ask Jesus to make your heart clean and kind this week?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a large heart on the paper and cut it out. Ask them to draw kind words and loving actions inside the heart, like helping a friend or saying thank you. Hang the hearts in the classroom or on the fridge at home as a reminder that God looks at our hearts.
Clean Heart, Clean Hands Game
You will need a small bowl of water, a towel, and a few small paper hearts. Let the children take turns washing their hands in the bowl. Then have them pass a paper heart around a circle while the group sings a simple song about a clean heart. Explain that washing hands is good, but God wants our hearts clean too.
Take-Home Kindness Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper, and a pen. Write “Clean Heart Jar” on a label and decorate it. Each time someone in the family shows kindness, have them write it on a slip of paper and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and thank God for the kind hearts in your home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus is more concerned with the condition of the heart than with outward religious customs. He confronts people who keep traditions while neglecting love for God and neighbor. The story of the Canaanite woman also reveals that Jesus’ mission reaches beyond Israel, and her persistent faith is a model for prayer.
Avoid suggesting to children that washing hands or following rules is wrong or unimportant. Jesus was not against good habits; he was against using them to hide an unkind heart. Keep the focus on the heart being made clean by God’s grace.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and caring about our hearts. Help us to think kind thoughts, say kind words, and do kind things for others. Clean our hearts and make them close to you. Thank you for always providing for us. Amen.
