Matthew 20 teaches children that God is generous and fair, and that he welcomes everyone who comes to him, whether they start early or late. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is generous, and he invites everyone into his family. It does not matter when you come to him, because his love is never unfair.
Memory Verse
Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold out both hands, then slowly switch them so the one that was low is now high, and the one that was high is now low. Say the words together as your hands move, so the picture of “last becoming first” sticks in their minds.
The Story: Matthew 20 for Kids
Jesus told a story about a farm owner who needed workers for his grape vineyard. Early in the morning he went to the marketplace and hired some men. He promised them one coin for a full day’s work, and they were happy to get started.
Later that morning, and again at noon, and again in the middle of the afternoon, the farm owner went back to the marketplace. He found more people standing around with nothing to do, and he said to them, “You also go into my vineyard, and I will pay you fairly.” So they went to work too.
Near the end of the day, he found some people still waiting, and he asked them, “Why are you standing here all day doing nothing?” They answered, “Nobody has hired us.” So he sent them into the vineyard as well. When evening came, he told his helper to pay everyone, starting with the workers who came last.
Those who came last each received a full coin. When the workers who came first saw this, they thought they would get more. But they each received one coin too. They complained, “These people only worked one hour, and you made them equal to us!” The owner answered kindly, “Friend, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed to this payment. I want to be generous to these workers too.”
Jesus finished the story by saying, “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” He wanted his listeners to understand that God’s love and kindness are not earned by how long someone has been around. God gives his gifts generously to all who come to him.
Read It Together
Matthew 20:1-2
1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
(WEB)
Point out that the farm owner went out early to find workers and agreed on a fair payment with them. Ask the children what the owner did first, and help them see that the first workers made a clear agreement.
Matthew 20:14-15
14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you. 15 Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’
(WEB)
Show the children the owner’s kind words to the grumbling workers. Explain that he was generous with his own money and that he was not unfair to anyone who agreed to the deal.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus came to serve others, not to be served. Help the children see that Jesus gave his life to help many people, which is the greatest example of kindness and humility.
Talk About It
- What did the farm owner do when he found people standing around with nothing to do?
- How did you feel about the workers who came first when they saw the others getting the same pay?
- What does it tell us about God that he invites people to come to him at any time of the day?
- Why do you think Jesus said the last will be first and the first will be last?
- How can we show kindness and generosity to other people, like the farm owner did?
Activity Ideas
Vineyard Grape Craft
You will need construction paper in green and purple, scissors, glue, and a marker. Have each child cut out a cluster of purple circles for grapes and glue them to a green paper leaf or vine. Write “Everyone is welcome in God’s vineyard” across the top of the picture, and let the children take their artwork home to remind them of the story.
Last Shall Be First Relay
You will need a open space in your room or yard, and some cones or small objects to mark a start and finish line. Let the children line up, and when you call “last,” the children at the back run to the finish first while the rest of the group cheers them on. Play a few rounds so every child has a chance to be first, and talk about how God welcomes everyone.
Take-Home Coin Reminder
You will need a few coins, or paper circles labeled “God’s gift,” and a small envelope for each child. Give each child a coin to put in the envelope and take home. Ask them to place it somewhere they will see each day, such as beside their bed, and to remember that God’s love is freely given to everyone who comes to him.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s grace is not earned by how long someone has served him or how hard they have worked. It challenges the human tendency to compare ourselves with others and to think we deserve more than someone else. Jesus’ story calls us to rejoice in God’s generosity toward all who come to him, and to examine our own hearts when we feel jealous of others.
Avoid suggesting to children that God’s kindness means that effort does not matter, or that they can wait until the end of life to come to God. The story is about God’s generosity toward those who come, not a promise that it is fine to delay. Make sure children understand that God invites everyone to come to him now.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are generous and kind to everyone who comes to you. Help us to be happy for others when they receive your good gifts, and help us to remember that we all need your love. Thank you for welcoming us into your family. Amen.
