In this Matthew 23 lesson, children learn that Jesus wants us to be humble servants, not people who only look good on the outside. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God looks at the heart, and the greatest person is the one who serves others with humility.
Memory Verse
Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat, palms up, like a bowl. Then slowly lower your hands as you say “humbles himself,” and lift them high as you say “will be exalted.” Repeat it together three times until everyone is moving along.
The Story: Matthew 23 for Kids
One day Jesus was talking to a big crowd of people and to his friends, the disciples. He wanted them to know about some religious leaders called the scribes and the Pharisees. These leaders knew many rules, and they taught people about God’s law. Jesus said that people should listen to what these leaders taught from God’s law.
But Jesus said the leaders did not always do what they taught. They tied heavy burdens on people’s shoulders, yet they would not lift a finger to help carry them. They also liked to be seen as very holy. They wore special wide ribbons and bigger fringes on their clothes so everyone would notice them. They loved the best seats at dinners and in the synagogues, and they wanted people to greet them with respect.
Jesus gave his friends a different way to live. He said, “Don’t you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher.” He told them that the greatest person would be the one who serves others. Jesus wanted his friends to be servants who help people, not people who seek praise.
Then Jesus said something very sad to the leaders. He told them that they looked clean on the outside, like a cup washed carefully, but on the inside they were full of greed and wrong. He compared them to beautiful tombs that look nice outside but hold dead bones inside. Jesus said, “You clean the outside of the cup, but first clean the inside too.” He wanted them to change their hearts, not just their outside appearance.
Jesus ended by sharing how much he loved the city of Jerusalem. He said, “How often I would have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” Even though the people had turned away, Jesus still longed to care for them. He loves people, and he wants them to come close to him.
Read It Together
Matthew 23:11
But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
(WEB)
Point out that the greatest person is the one who serves. Ask children what kinds of help they can give at home or at school, like setting the table or picking up toys for a sibling.
Matthew 23:25-26
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.
(WEB)
Show children how a cup can look clean outside while being dirty inside. Explain that God cares most about what is in our hearts, not only how we look to others.
Matthew 23:37
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
(WEB)
Point out how Jesus describes himself like a mother hen protecting her chicks. Talk about how God wants to gather us close and keep us safe, just as a hen covers her babies.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you can do this week to help someone else first?
- Why do you think Jesus was sad when the leaders only cared about looking good?
- How can we make sure our hearts are clean as well as our hands and faces?
- What does it feel like to be served by someone who loves you?
- How does it help you to know that Jesus wants to gather you close, like a hen with her chicks?
Activity Ideas
Clean Cup Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a clear cup. Have children draw a cup with a clean outside and a messy inside, then talk about what makes a heart clean. Let them decorate their drawing with words or pictures of kind actions they can do.
Servant Relay Game
You will need a small towel or cloth and a few cups of water. Have children pass the towel down a line while carrying a cup of water to a bowl, taking turns being the one who helps the next person. Cheer for teamwork and remind everyone that the greatest person serves.
Hen and Chicks Take-Home Card
You will need cardstock, markers, and cotton balls. Let children glue cotton balls onto a card to make a hen’s chicks tucked under wings drawn in marker. Encourage them to take the card home and tell their family one way they can help someone this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a warning against pretending to be holy while ignoring justice, mercy, and genuine love for others. Jesus calls his followers to humble service and to a faith that changes the heart, not just the appearance. He also grieves over Jerusalem and longs to gather people to himself.
Avoid making the scribes and Pharisees into a caricature of all Jewish people. Keep the focus on the specific leaders Jesus criticized and on the heart lessons for the children in your room.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, help us to be humble and to serve others with kind hearts. Please make our hearts clean on the inside, and gather us close to you like a hen with her chicks. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen.
