This lesson teaches children that God wants us to talk to Him in prayer, and that He is a good Father who gives good gifts. It is made for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is a loving Father who loves to hear our prayers. When we ask Him, He listens and gives us what is good for us.
Memory Verse
Luke 11:9
“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, as if you are asking for something. Then bring your hands down and tap your fingers together, like knocking on a door. Say the verse slowly while you do the motions.
The Story: Luke 11 for Kids
One day Jesus finished praying in a quiet place. When He was done, one of His disciples came to Him and said, “Lord, teach us how to pray, just like John taught his followers.” Jesus was happy to help. He taught them a short prayer that starts with calling God “Our Father in heaven.”
Then Jesus told a story about a man who had a visitor come to his house late at night. The visitor was hungry, and the man had no bread to give him. So the man went to his friend’s house and knocked on the door. He said, “Friend, please lend me three loaves of bread.” At first his friend said, “Don’t bother me. The door is shut and my children are sleeping.” But the man kept asking, and in the end his friend got up and gave him what he needed.
Jesus said, “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened.” He wanted His friends to know that God hears every prayer and never gets tired of hearing from His children.
Jesus also asked a question. He said, “If your son asks you for bread, would you give him a stone? If he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake?” Of course not! Good parents give good gifts to their children. Jesus said that if we, who are not perfect, know how to give good things, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.
Later, Jesus helped a man who could not speak. When Jesus made the bad spirit leave, the man began to talk, and the crowd was amazed. Some people were not happy and said Jesus was doing it by the wrong power. Jesus told them that He was doing God’s work, and that God’s kingdom had come near to them.
Read It Together
Luke 11:1-2
1 When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
(WEB)
Point out that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them, and that Jesus began by saying “Father.” Ask children what it means to be able to call God their Father.
Luke 11:11-13
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
(WEB)
Show how Jesus compares earthly parents with God. Help children see that a good parent gives good things, and that God gives even better gifts, especially His Holy Spirit.
Luke 11:20
But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you.
(WEB)
Explain that when Jesus drove out the bad spirit, it showed that God’s kingdom had come close. Children can understand this as a sign that God is powerful and near them.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you would like to ask God for today?
- How does it feel to know that God always hears you when you pray?
- Why do you think Jesus kept telling the man to keep asking, seeking, and knocking?
- What good gift has a parent or friend given you that made you happy?
- How can you show thanks to God when He answers your prayers?
Activity Ideas
Paper Door Hanger Craft
You will need construction paper, markers, scissors, and tape. Have each child draw a door on the paper and write “Keep Knocking” across the top. Let them decorate it with colors and stickers. Tape it to their bedroom door at home as a reminder to talk to God every day.
Knock, Ask, Seek Game
Set a few hidden objects around the room, such as a small toy or a sticker. Let children take turns knocking on a table, asking the teacher for a clue, and then searching for the object. Cheer them on as they seek and find. Talk about how we keep trying in prayer, just as the man kept asking his friend.
Prayer Bread Take-Home
You will need a small paper plate and a cracker or piece of bread for each child. Let them put one cracker on the plate and write one thing they want to ask God for. Encourage them to eat the cracker at home and pray for that request each time they take a bite. This helps them remember that God gives us what we need.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that prayer is a relationship with a loving Father, not a formula to be perfected. Jesus teaches persistence and trust, and He shows that God delights to give good gifts to His children. The chapter also reminds believers that God’s kingdom is active in the world through Jesus.
When teaching children, avoid promising that every prayer will be answered with exactly what they want. Instead, emphasize that God hears them, loves them, and gives what is good, even when the answer is not what they expected.
A Prayer to Close
Heavenly Father, thank You for listening when we pray. Help us to ask You for what we need, to keep seeking You, and to trust that You always give good gifts. Teach us to pray each day. Amen.
