In this lesson, children learn that Jesus welcomes them and loves them just as they are. This lesson suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus loves children and wants them to come to him. Nobody is too small or too young for Jesus to welcome them, and his love is for everyone.
Memory Verse
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands together in front of their chest, then open them wide like welcoming arms as they say the verse. Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time until you whisper the last one.
The Story: Matthew 19 for Kids
One day Jesus was traveling through the land of Judea, and large crowds of people followed him everywhere he went. He healed many of the sick people who came to him. Jesus was a kind and good teacher, and people loved to be near him.
Some people came to Jesus with hard questions, trying to trick him. They asked him about marriage and whether a husband could send his wife away. Jesus answered them by explaining that God made marriage to be a special joining between a husband and a wife, and that it was meant to last.
Then some parents brought their little children to Jesus. They wanted Jesus to put his hands on the children and pray for them. But the disciples, who were Jesus’s closest friends, thought the children were too busy and too small to bother him, so they told the parents to go away.
Jesus saw what the disciples were doing, and he was not happy about it. He said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to children like these.” Then Jesus took the children into his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
Later, a young man ran up to Jesus and asked what good thing he could do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to keep God’s commandments. The young man said he had kept them all since he was young, but he was still missing something. Jesus told him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow him. The young man was sad, because he had many possessions and did not want to give them up.
Jesus then told his disciples that it is very hard for a rich person to put God first, but that with God all things are possible. Peter asked what the disciples would receive for following Jesus, and Jesus promised them great blessings.
Read It Together
Matthew 19:13-14
13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
(WEB)
Point out that the parents brought their children to Jesus, and that the disciples tried to send them away. Ask the children how they think Jesus felt when he saw this, and how he responded.
Matthew 19:26
Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
(WEB)
Explain that some things are hard for people but never hard for God. Show the children that they can trust God to do things they cannot do on their own.
Matthew 19:21
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
(WEB)
Tell the children that Jesus invited the young man to follow him closely. Point out that following Jesus means trusting him more than anything we own.
Talk About It
- How do you think the children felt when the disciples told them to go away?
- What did Jesus say about children, and why do you think he said it?
- Why do you think Jesus wants children to come close to him?
- What is one way you can show Jesus that you want to be close to him this week?
- Why was the young man sad when Jesus asked him to give things away?
Activity Ideas
Handprint Welcome Card
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace their hand on the paper, cut it out, and write or draw one thing they want to tell Jesus on the palm. Let them decorate the fingers with colors they like, and then take the cards home as a reminder that Jesus welcomes them.
Come Closer Game
Ask the children to stand at one side of the room while you stand at the other. Call out “Come to Jesus,” and have them walk slowly toward you, stopping whenever you say “Stop, wait.” Play several rounds, then talk about how Jesus always welcomes them, even when they are small.
Take-Home Prayer Jar
You will need an empty jar or cup and small slips of paper. Ask each child to write or draw a prayer request on a slip and put it in the jar. Encourage them to take one slip home and pray about it each day this week, remembering that Jesus hears every child.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows Jesus defending the worth of children at a time when they were often overlooked, and it shows that entering God’s kingdom comes through trusting him, not through status or wealth. Jesus also makes clear that God’s ways are higher than human ways, and that God makes possible what people cannot do themselves.
Avoid suggesting to children that God rewards good behavior with money or that wealthy people are bad. The passage is about trusting God above possessions and welcoming children, so keep the focus on Jesus’s love and invitation.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you love children and welcome us to come close to you. Help us remember that nothing is too hard for you, and help us trust you with everything we have. Thank you that we belong to you. Amen.
