This lesson teaches children that Jesus is the most important person there is, and that we belong to Him, so we do not need to be afraid of the rules people make up to try to please God. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus is all we need. Because we belong to Him, we can trust Him and not worry about tricks or false ideas that try to take our faith away from Him.
Memory Verse
Colossians 2:6
As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him…
(WEB)
Teach children to stand tall with arms stretched out wide, then bring their hands together in front of their chest. Say the verse slowly as they hold that pose, and ask them to walk in place while they say the last words, “walk in him.”
The Story: Colossians 2 for Kids
A man named Paul wrote a letter to the friends in a city called Colossae. He had never visited them in person, but he cared about them very much. He was working hard to pray for them and to help them grow strong in their faith.
Paul knew that some people were trying to confuse the friends in Colossae. These people said that special rules and fancy ideas were needed to be close to God. Paul wanted his friends to know they did not have to follow those rules to belong to God.
Paul told them that Jesus holds all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In Jesus, God’s full power and love live. Paul said, “In him you are made full.” Jesus is the Head over everything, so nothing else is needed.
Paul explained that when we trust Jesus, something wonderful happens inside us. We were once spiritually dead because of our wrong choices. But God made us alive together with Christ. He forgave every wrong thing we ever did, and He wiped away the record of our debts.
Paul described how baptism shows that we are buried with Jesus and raised with Him to new life. Through faith we share in what God did when He raised Jesus from the dead. Paul wanted the Colossians to remember that their new life came from God, not from keeping a list of rules.
Finally, Paul warned his friends not to let anyone judge them about what they eat or drink or which days they celebrate. Those things were only shadows of what was coming. The real thing is Christ, and His body is the church that stays connected to Him.
Read It Together
Colossians 2:9-10
9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, 10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power…
(WEB)
Point out that all of God’s fullness lives in Jesus. Ask the children to name what it means to be “made full” in Him. Explain that we do not need to add anything to what Jesus has already done.
Colossians 2:13-14
13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross…
(WEB)
Show children that God made them alive and forgave all their wrongs. Explain that the record of their mistakes was taken away at the cross. Let them share a time they felt forgiven.
Colossians 2:19
And not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.
(WEB)
Explain that the body of believers grows as each part stays connected to the Head. Compare this to how a hand stays attached to an arm. Ask children how they can stay close to Jesus each day.
Talk About It
- What did Paul want his friends in Colossae to remember about Jesus?
- Why do you think some people try to make rules that are not from God?
- What does it mean to be “made full” in Jesus?
- How did God make us alive when we were spiritually dead?
- What is one way you can stay connected to Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Crown of Treasures Craft
You will need paper, crayons, glue, and glitter or yellow tissue paper. Have each child draw a crown and write “Jesus” in the center. Then they can decorate it with stickers, glitter, or tissue shapes to show that all the treasures of wisdom are found in Him.
Stand Tall Movement Game
Ask children to stand in a line. Call out things people sometimes try to rely on, like “special rules” or “fancy ideas,” and have them stay still. When you call out “Jesus,” everyone raises their arms high and cheers. This helps them remember that Jesus alone is our strength.
Connected Family Chain
Take paper strips and have each family member write one way they can stay close to Jesus this week. Link the strips together to form a chain. Hang it somewhere visible at home so everyone remembers that we stay connected to the Head through daily faith.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter reminds us that Christ is sufficient. The believers were being pressured to add human traditions and special rituals to their faith. Paul answers that the fullness of God is already present in Jesus, and that forgiveness and new life come through Him alone.
When teaching children, avoid making the lesson about being afraid of rules or of other people. Keep the focus on the joy of belonging to Jesus. Children can understand that Jesus is enough without needing a long list of technical explanations about the passage.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You that You are all we need. We are so glad that You forgave us and made us alive with You. Help us stay close to You every day and trust You with everything. Amen.
