This lesson teaches children that Jesus is the true King, and that God protects him even when wicked rulers try to harm him. It works well for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps his promises, and no king can stop Jesus from being the King God sent. God takes care of his Son and of the people who follow him.
Memory Verse
Matthew 2:2
“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
(WEB)
Ask children to stand tall with their hands held high like a crown, then point up toward the sky like a star. Say the verse together while you do the motions, and repeat it a few times until the motions and words stick together.
The Story: Matthew 2 for Kids
Long ago, Jesus was born in a small town called Bethlehem. King Herod ruled the land, and he was not a good king. One day some wise men came all the way from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the new King of the Jews? We saw his star, and we have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this, he was worried. He called his advisors and asked where the new king would be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote long ago.” Then Herod called the wise men to his palace in secret and asked them exactly when the star had appeared.
Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem and said, “Go and find the young child, and then come back and tell me, so I can worship him too.” But Herod was lying. He did not want to worship Jesus. He wanted to hurt him. The wise men set out, and the star went before them until it stopped over the house where Jesus was.
When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. They went inside and found Jesus with his mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him, and they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they went home a different way.
God also warned Joseph in a dream. An angel said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, because Herod wants to hurt him.” Joseph obeyed right away, and the family stayed in Egypt until Herod died. Later, God told Joseph in another dream that it was safe to return, so they went back to the land of Israel and made their home in Nazareth.
Read It Together
Matthew 2:9-10
9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
(WEB)
Point out how the star guided the wise men to exactly the right house. Ask children how they think the wise men felt when they saw the star stop. Explain that God used a star to show people where Jesus was.
Matthew 2:13
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
(WEB)
Point out that God sent an angel to warn Joseph. Show children that God cares for his people and knows what is about to happen. Explain that Joseph trusted God and obeyed quickly, even when the plan was hard.
Matthew 2:19-21
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.” 21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
(WEB)
Point out that Herod was gone and the family could return home. Remind children that God keeps his promises and brings his people safely through danger. Explain that Joseph listened to God again and took his family back home.
Talk About It
- What did the wise men do when they saw the star, and how do you think they felt?
- Why do you think King Herod wanted to hurt baby Jesus?
- How did God take care of Jesus and his family in this story?
- What can you do to show that Jesus is your King?
- When have you felt safe because you knew God was taking care of you?
Activity Ideas
Star Crown Craft
You will need construction paper, scissors, glue, glitter or gold stickers, and a stapler. Cut a strip of paper long enough to wrap around a child’s head and staple it into a crown shape. Let children glue gold stars or stickers onto the crown. As they decorate, talk about how Jesus is the true King who deserves our worship.
Follow the Star Game
You will need a flashlight or a small lamp and a few hidden items around the room. Turn off the lights and let one child hold the light as the “star.” The other children follow the light to find hidden treasures, which represent the gifts the wise men brought. Talk about how the star led people to Jesus.
Take-Home Star Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch with string. Have each child draw a star on one side of the card and write Matthew 2:2 on the other. Punch a hole and tie on string so they can hang it by their bed or on the fridge. Encourage them to show it to their family during the week and say the memory verse together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus was the promised King from the very beginning, and that human rulers cannot stop God’s plan. Herod’s fear and violence contrast with the joy of the wise men and the faithful obedience of Joseph. The chapter also shows that God guides his people through dreams, stars, and angels, and that he fulfills what the prophets said long before.
Be careful not to overstate the details the text does not give, such as the exact number of wise men or what the star looked like. The Bible never says there were three wise men, so avoid teaching children that number as a fact. Keep the focus on who Jesus is and how God protects him.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for sending Jesus, our true King. Thank you for keeping him safe and for guiding wise men and Joseph to do what was right. Help us trust you every day and follow you like the wise men followed the star. Amen.
