This lesson teaches children that God wants us to help carry each other’s hard things, and that doing good is worth it even when it feels tiring. It is made for children about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God gives us friends and family, and He wants us to help each other carry heavy things. We keep doing good, even when we feel tired of it.
Memory Verse
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(WEB)
Hold your arms out in front of you like you are carrying a big box. Then bring your hands together as if you are picking up a friend’s load and helping them stand up. Do this motion each time you say the verse.
The Story: Galatians 6 for Kids
A man named Paul wrote a letter to his friends in a town called Galatia. He wanted them to know that God cares about how they treat each other. Paul said that when someone makes a mistake, the people who love God should help that person come back to what is right. They should do it gently, not in a mean way.
Paul also talked about burdens. A burden is something heavy that is hard to carry alone. Paul told his friends to help one another with their burdens. He said, “Bear one another’s burdens.” That means lifting together, the way two people carry a heavy table up the stairs.
Paul also said that each person has their own work to do. Every person must do what is good and not just watch others. He told them that when we do good, we will see good come back to us in time. Paul said, “Let us not be weary in doing good.” That means we should not get tired and quit.
At the end of his letter, Paul talked about the cross of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to save us, and Paul said he wanted to share only about Jesus. Paul ended the letter by wishing his friends the grace of Jesus. He wanted God’s kindness to stay with them.
Read It Together
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.
(WEB)
Point out how Paul says to restore someone gently. Ask the children what it means to help a friend who has done wrong, and how they can speak kindly instead of being unkind.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
(WEB)
Show the children the words about not growing weary. Explain that doing good can sometimes feel slow, but God sees every good thing we do.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
(WEB)
Point out that we should do good to everyone, and especially to people in our family of faith. Help the children name a few people they can be kind to this week.
Talk About It
- What is something heavy that you have helped someone carry?
- How can you help a friend who makes a mistake without being mean to them?
- Why do you think God wants us to keep doing good even when we feel tired?
- Who is someone in your church or family who might need a helping hand this week?
- What is one kind thing you could do today to help another person?
Activity Ideas
Burden Bag Craft
You will need a paper lunch bag, crayons or markers, and some small pieces of paper. Have each child write or draw a worry or a hard thing on a small paper slip and put it inside the bag. Then ask them to pass the bag to a friend and say, “Let’s carry this together.” This shows how we can share heavy things.
Carry the Load Relay
You will need a few soft items like sponges, cushions, or stuffed animals, plus two empty bowls. Divide the children into teams. Each team passes the items from one bowl to the other, one at a time, using only a spoon or their hands. Stop the game after a few rounds and talk about how working together made the job easier.
Kindness Jar at Home
You will need a clear jar, paper, and a pen. Ask your child to write one kind thing they did for someone each day and place the note in the jar. Read the notes together at the end of the week. This helps children see that doing good adds up over time.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter calls believers to gentle restoration when someone falls into sin, to shared burdens within the community, and to steady perseverance in doing good. Paul also reminds readers that each person must examine their own life honestly and that God is not mocked, since what we sow we will reap.
With children, avoid overstating the idea of reaping as a simple reward system where good behavior always brings the results we want. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and on the joy of helping others, rather than promising specific outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for giving us friends and family to help us. Help us to be gentle when someone makes a mistake, and help us to carry each other’s burdens. When we feel tired of doing good, remind us that You see us and that You love us. Thank You for Jesus, who helps us every day. Amen.
