This lesson teaches children that when we trust Jesus, we belong to God and can live new, good lives. Children ages 5 to 11 can learn it in 20 to 30 minutes, with a story, a memory verse, a few Bible verses, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
Jesus lives, and because we belong to him, we get to live a new life that pleases God. Sin no longer has to rule us.
Memory Verse
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out, palms up, when they say “wages,” then open their arms wide on “free gift of God.” Let them do the motions with you three times.
The Story: Romans 6 for Kids
Long ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to the friends in the city of Rome. Some of them were Christians, and they had a question. If God forgives sin so freely, should they keep sinning? Paul said no, and he asked them a question of his own. Didn’t they know what happened when they were baptized?
Paul explained that when someone is baptized into Jesus, it is like being buried with him. The old way of doing wrong is buried too. Then the children of God come up out of the water like Jesus came up from the grave, ready to walk in a new way of living. Jesus was raised from the dead, and he will never die again.
Paul told them to think of themselves as alive to God. Sin is like a boss who gives bad orders, but now they belonged to a different Master. Paul said, “Don’t let sin rule your body. Give yourselves to God instead, as people who have been brought back to life.” He wanted them to choose good things.
Paul remembered that before they knew Jesus, their choices led only to shame and death. But now they had been set free from sin and had become servants of God. Their life would grow good fruit, and it would end in life that never ends. Paul reminded them that the payment for sin is death, but God gives the free gift of eternal life through Jesus our Lord.
Read It Together
Romans 6:4
We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
(WEB)
Point out that baptism is a picture of Jesus dying and rising again. Ask the children to notice the word “newness” and explain that God gives us a fresh start to walk in his ways.
Romans 6:11
Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(WEB)
Show the children that the verse says to think of ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God. Explain that this is about who we belong to, not about pretending. Ask them to say the phrase “alive to God” together.
Romans 6:14
For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.
(WEB)
Help the children see that sin will not have power over those who belong to God. Encourage them to notice that God’s grace helps us, and we do not have to win God’s love by our own strength.
Talk About It
- What did Paul want the friends in Rome to remember about their baptism?
- What does it mean to be alive to God?
- How can you tell when sin is trying to be the boss of your choices?
- What good fruit can grow in a life that belongs to Jesus?
- Why is God’s gift of eternal life called a free gift?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Seed Growing Into a Flower
Give each child a sheet of paper, a pencil, and crayons. Ask them to draw a dark, closed seed in the bottom corner, then a green stem and a bright flower at the top. Explain that the seed is like the old way of living, and the flower is the new life God gives. Let them write the word “new” on their flower.
Red Light, Green Light, Alive to God
Play a version of red light, green light in a open room. When you say “green light,” children walk forward and do a slow, happy stretch. When you say “red light,” they freeze. Call out “sin” and have them freeze, then call “God” and have them stretch. Each time, say a word from the memory verse so the children begin to remember it.
Take-Home Bread Bag Reminder
Give each child a small paper bag, markers, and a sticker or two. Ask them to write “Romans 6:23” on the front and draw a gift box inside. Encourage them to show the bag to a family member at home and say the memory verse with the motions. Keep the bag in a place where they will see it each morning.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Romans 6 teaches that baptism pictures our union with Christ in his death and resurrection, and that believers are freed from sin’s mastery to live in righteousness. Grace does not lead to a casual attitude toward sin. It frees us to serve God. The chapter moves from the question of whether we should keep sinning to a clear answer about our new identity and our future in eternal life.
Avoid overstating to children that baptism itself saves them or that they will never struggle with sin again. Keep the focus on Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection and on God’s free gift, and speak honestly that Christians still need God’s help every day.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that Jesus died and rose again so we can live new lives with you. Help us to be alive to you and to say no to sin when it tries to rule us. Thank you for the free gift of eternal life, and help us walk in your ways today. Amen.
