This lesson teaches children that God gives us freedom in Jesus and helps us live kindly by the Holy Spirit. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus made us free, so we can use our freedom to love and help other people. God’s Spirit grows good things in our hearts, like kindness, patience, and joy.
Memory Verse
Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, then open them wide like a bird spreading its wings. Next, wrap your arms around yourself in a hug and say the verse together. Do this motion each time you say it.
The Story: Galatians 5 for Kids
Long ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to friends in a region called Galatia. Some people had come to them saying they had to follow many special rules to belong to God. Paul wanted his friends to know that Jesus had already set them free. Nothing they did could earn God’s love, because God gave it as a gift.
Paul told them to stand firm and not let anyone tie them up again with heavy rules. He reminded them that they had been running well, like runners in a race. Then someone had interfered and slowed them down. Paul wanted them to keep running toward the truth.
Paul did not want them to use their freedom to hurt each other. He said, “Serve one another through love.” He knew that when people bite and argue, everyone gets hurt. So he told them to treat each other gently and fairly, as they would want to be treated.
Paul also talked about two kinds of living. Some choices come from our selfish, grumpy hearts, and they lead to fights and sadness. But when we let God’s Spirit guide us, good things grow in us. Paul said the Spirit grows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Paul ended by encouraging his friends to walk by the Spirit every day. He wanted them to stop being proud and stop envying each other. Instead, they could cheer each other on. Paul knew that living this way brings peace to everyone around us.
Read It Together
Galatians 5:1
Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
(WEB)
Point out the word “free.” Ask children what they think it means to be free, and explain that Jesus has set us free from trying to earn God’s love. Let them name a time they felt free to play or explore.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(WEB)
Show children the list of good fruits the Spirit grows in us. Ask them to find one fruit they have seen someone show this week. Help them see that these qualities grow slowly, just like real fruit on a tree.
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
(WEB)
Point out that all of God’s rules can be summed up in loving others as we love ourselves. Explain that this means treating classmates, siblings, and friends with the same care we want for ourselves. Give a simple example of how to do this at home or school.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can use your freedom to help someone else this week?
- Which fruit of the Spirit do you think you show most often, and why?
- What makes it hard to be kind when someone is grumpy or unfair to you?
- How can you tell when you are letting your selfish feelings lead you instead of God’s Spirit?
- Who is someone you could cheer on or encourage today, and what would you say?
Activity Ideas
Fruit of the Spirit Tree Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Have each child draw a simple tree trunk and branches on the paper. Then have them draw nine colorful fruits hanging from the branches, writing one fruit of the Spirit on each. Let children take turns explaining what each fruit looks like in real life.
Freedom Run Relay Game
Set up two cones or chairs at one end of the room as a finish line. Divide the children into two teams and have them line up to race. Each runner must stop halfway, pass a small object like a beanbag to a teammate, and then keep running. Talk afterward about how helping each other finish the race reflects the way we serve one another in love.
Take-Home Kindness Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen. Write different kind actions on the strips, such as “help set the table” or “share a toy.” Place them in the jar and let each child draw one each day to practice during the week. Encourage them to bring the jar back next lesson and share what happened.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is about the difference between trying to earn God’s favor through rules and receiving freedom through faith in Jesus. Paul shows that real change happens as the Holy Spirit shapes our character, producing love, joy, and peace. Love for others is the living expression of that freedom.
When teaching children, avoid overstating how simple it is to live free from sin. Children may feel guilty if they think they should never struggle with anger or selfishness. Remind them that growing in the Spirit is a lifelong process that happens with God’s help, and that they can always come back to him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for setting us free in Jesus. Help us use our freedom to love and serve others. Fill our hearts with your Spirit so that kindness, joy, and patience grow in us each day. Help us walk with you and cheer each other on. Amen.
