In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is the most important person in the whole world, because he made everything and holds everything together. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus is the first and best one. He made everything, and he is in charge of everything, so we can trust him every day.
Memory Verse
Colossians 1:17
He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms together, as if you are holding a ball. Squeeze gently and say “all things held together” while you hold on tight. Say the words again while you hold your hands.
The Story: Colossians 1 for Kids
Long ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to the friends in a town called Colossae. Paul had never met many of them, but he had heard good news about how they loved Jesus. He wanted them to know that they were not alone. Paul thanked God for them every time he prayed.
Paul told them a big truth about Jesus. Jesus is the picture of the invisible God, which means that when we look at Jesus, we see what God is like. Jesus was there at the very start, before anything else existed. Everything in the sky and on the ground was made by Jesus and for Jesus.
Paul said something special about Jesus holding everything together. The sun, the trees, the stars, and the rivers all stay in their places because of him. Jesus is also the head of his church, the family of people who love him. He is the first one who rose from the dead, so he is the strongest and the most powerful.
Paul told the friends in Colossae that they had once been far away from God. They had made choices that hurt others and hurt God. But Jesus made peace with God for them by dying on the cross. Paul said that Jesus wants to bring them close to God, clean and good, with no blame at all.
Paul also said that he was happy to suffer for them, because he wanted them to hear this good news. He wanted every person to grow strong in their faith. Paul worked hard, trusting that God was helping him every step of the way.
Read It Together
Colossians 1:15-16
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, and that he made all things. Ask children to name a few things they can see and a few things they cannot see, such as the wind, and remind them that Jesus made both.
Colossians 1:13-14
13 Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins…
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus rescues people from darkness and brings them into his kingdom. Show a lamp or a flashlight and explain that Jesus is the light that helps us find our way out of the dark.
Colossians 1:21-22
21 You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, 22 yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him…
(WEB)
Tell children that everyone has done wrong things, but Jesus makes us clean and brings us back to God. Point out the word “reconciled,” and explain it as being made friends again after a fight.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that Jesus made that you really like to see every day?
- How do you think it feels to know that Jesus holds the whole world together?
- Why did Paul want his friends to know how great Jesus is?
- What is something you can do this week to show that Jesus is the most important person in your life?
- When you feel scared or alone, how can remembering that Jesus is in charge help you?
Activity Ideas
Light and Dark Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a flashlight. Draw a dark picture on one side of the paper, such as a night sky. Then shine the flashlight on it and let children add bright colors in the places the light touches. Talk about how Jesus brings us out of the dark and into his light.
Hold It Together Game
You will need a few soft balls or rolled-up socks. Have children stand in a circle and toss one ball to a friend while saying one thing Jesus made. When someone drops the ball, the group says “Jesus holds everything together” and starts again. This helps children remember that Jesus is the one who keeps all things in place.
Take-Home Thankful Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day for one week, have your child write one thing Jesus made and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the papers together and thank Jesus for each one. This reminds the whole family that Jesus is the one who made everything good.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter presents Jesus as the center of all creation and the head of the church. Paul teaches that Jesus is fully God, that he made all things, and that through his death he brings peace and reconciliation. It is a passage about the greatness and sufficiency of Christ, and it invites us to trust him fully.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea of “invisible” things in ways that could confuse them. Keep the focus on Jesus as the one who made everything and who loves us, rather than trying to explain every detail of the spiritual world.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for making everything we see and everything we cannot see. Thank you for holding the world together and for keeping us safe. Help us to trust you every day and to tell others how wonderful you are. Amen.
