This lesson teaches children that God wants his people to be honest, kind, and good, and that they can show this by how they act. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to be good on the inside and to show it in what we do. Our words and actions should show that we belong to him.
Memory Verse
Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
(WEB)
Hold both hands over your heart, then open them up toward the sky as you say the words together. Repeat this motion each time you say the verse so children connect “knowing God” with showing it through their actions.
The Story: Titus 1 for Kids
Long ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to his friend Titus. Paul was a leader who taught people about Jesus, and Titus was a helper he trusted like a son. Paul wanted Titus to know that God had chosen him for an important job.
Paul had left Titus on an island called Crete. The people there needed good leaders in their churches, so Paul told Titus to pick men who were honest and kind. A good leader was not greedy, not angry all the time, and not someone who loved to drink too much wine. He was welcoming to guests and loved doing what was right.
Paul also warned Titus about some people who talked a lot but did not tell the truth. These people taught things that were not from God and wanted money for themselves. Paul said Titus must correct them kindly but firmly, so they would learn the truth.
Paul then shared something a Cretan prophet had once said about his own people, that they were always liars. Paul said this was true, and it showed why people needed to be honest and to listen to God’s word. Paul said that a person who knows God should live in a way that matches what they say they believe.
Paul ended by reminding Titus that everything God made is good, and that the heart is what makes things pure or not. Titus was to help people become truly good from the inside out.
Read It Together
Titus 1:1-2
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began…
(WEB)
Point out that Paul calls himself a servant of God, and that God cannot lie. Ask children what it means that God always keeps his promises, and how that makes them feel safe.
Titus 1:7-8
7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled…
(WEB)
Show children the list of good qualities a leader should have, like being kind, fair, and self-controlled. Ask them which of these qualities they can practice at home or at school this week.
Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
(WEB)
Explain that this verse is about a pure heart and mind, not about food or things. Help children see that when our hearts are close to God, our thoughts and choices become clean and honest.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can show someone that you are honest?
- Why do you think God wants leaders to be kind and fair?
- When someone tells a lie, how do you think it makes the people around them feel?
- What is something you can do to be kind to someone who is sometimes unkind to you?
- How can your heart be good on the inside even when no one is watching?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a heart shape on paper and cut it out. Ask them to draw or write one good action on the heart, such as sharing or telling the truth. Hang the hearts on a wall or fridge as a reminder that good hearts lead to good actions.
Honest Helper Game
You will need a few small objects like a spoon, a block, and a cup. Place the objects around the room and call out a good quality like “kind” or “honest.” Children must find an object that matches the quality and show a kind action with it, such as handing a cup to a friend. Keep the game lively by changing the quality each round.
Take-Home Good Choices Card
You will need index cards and a pen. Write a simple good choice on each card, such as “Tell the truth today” or “Help someone without being asked.” Send one card home with each child and ask a parent to help check off each choice the child practices during the week. Read the cards together when the class meets again.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Christian leadership is marked by character more than status. Paul expects that those who serve God will live honestly, kindly, and self-controlled, and that what someone believes should show in their conduct. Adults can also see that the grace and peace in the greeting come from God first, which means our goodness is a response to his faithfulness.
With children, avoid suggesting that being good earns God’s love, since the chapter presents God’s grace as the starting point. Also avoid turning the Cretan quote into a lesson that targets any group of people. Focus instead on the call to be honest and kind ourselves.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you always keep your promises and that you can never lie. Help us to be honest, kind, and good in what we say and do. Fill our hearts with your love so that our actions show that we belong to you. Amen.
