This lesson teaches children that God hears every prayer, that he welcomes little children, and that humble hearts are the ones he lifts up. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the activity.
Big Idea
God listens when we pray, he loves children, and he lifts up people who come to him with humble hearts instead of proud ones.
Memory Verse
Luke 18:16
Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands together in front of their chest, then slowly open them wide like a book. Say the verse with them, and open your hands each time you say “come to me,” as if inviting someone in.
The Story: Luke 18 for Kids
Jesus told a story to help his friends understand that they should always pray and never give up. In the story, there was a judge in a certain town who did not care about God or about people. A poor widow kept coming to him again and again, asking him to help her against someone who was treating her unfairly. For a long time he refused, but finally he said to himself, “This widow keeps bothering me, so I will help her, or she will wear me out!” Jesus pointed out that if even an unfair judge listens to someone who keeps asking, how much more will God listen to his own people who cry out to him day and night.
Then Jesus told a second story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, a religious leader who stood up tall and thanked God that he was better than other people. He talked mostly about himself. The other man was a tax collector, someone many people disliked. He stood far away, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, and simply beat his chest and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Jesus said the tax collector went home right with God, because God lifts up people who humble themselves.
Next, some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could bless them. The disciples thought the children were a bother and told the parents to go away. But Jesus called the children to himself and said, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to children like these.” He told everyone that anyone who does not receive God’s kingdom like a little child will never enter it.
A rich ruler then asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus reminded him of the commandments, and the man said he had kept them all since he was young. Jesus told him there was one thing he still lacked: he needed to give away what he had and follow Jesus. The man became very sad, because he loved his money very much. Jesus said it is hard for rich people to enter God’s kingdom, but he added that nothing is impossible with God.
On the road near the city of Jericho, a blind man sat begging. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” People told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder. Jesus stopped and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man said, “Lord, I want to see again.” Jesus said, “Receive your sight, because your faith has healed you.” At once the man could see, and he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God, and all the people who saw it praised God too.
Read It Together
Luke 18:1
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up…
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus told this story so people would always pray and not give up. Ask the children what kinds of things they could keep asking God about, and remind them that God is never too busy to hear them.
Luke 18:13-14
13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(WEB)
Show the children how the tax collector stood far away and was honest about his sin, and how Jesus said he went home right with God. Explain that humble prayer is one that admits we need God’s mercy.
Luke 18:41-43
41 “What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.” 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.
(WEB)
Point out that the blind man asked Jesus directly for what he needed, and that Jesus healed him. Notice that the man then followed Jesus and gave glory to God, and help the children see that trusting Jesus leads to thankful hearts.
Talk About It
- What did the widow do when the judge would not help her, and what can we learn from her about asking God for help?
- Why do you think the tax collector stood far away and prayed, “God, be merciful to me”?
- How did Jesus show that he loves children, and how can we show that same love to the little ones around us?
- What did the rich ruler find hard about following Jesus, and what things might be hard for us to give up?
- What did the blind man do when he wanted Jesus to help him, and how can you ask Jesus for help when you need it?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Blind Man Picture
You will need paper plates, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child draw a simple face on half of a paper plate with the eyes shut, then draw the same face on the other half with the eyes open and bright. Talk about how Jesus opened the blind man’s eyes, and let the children describe what it would feel like to see for the first time.
Humble or Proud Freeze Game
Clear a space in the room and tell the children to stand tall with their chins up when you say “proud,” and to stand small with their heads bowed and hands on their chests when you say “humble.” Play faster and faster, then pause and talk about how God lifts up people who humble themselves. This game needs no supplies beyond the open space and your voice.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper, and a pen or pencil. Ask each child to write or draw one thing they want to keep praying about, fold it up, and drop it into the jar. Place the jar somewhere the family sees every day, and each week open it together to thank God for what he has done and to keep asking for what remains.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter ties together several themes: persistent prayer, the danger of self-righteousness, the welcome God extends to the weak and the young, and the way faith in Jesus opens eyes that were shut. Each story shows that God responds to humility and need, not to status or achievement. Keep the focus on God’s character and faithfulness rather than on a formula for getting answers.
Be careful not to suggest to children that persistent prayer guarantees a yes to every request. The parable teaches that God hears and is just, not that he works like an unfair judge who gives in to pressure. Also avoid turning the rich ruler’s story into a rule that all wealth is sinful; the point is that nothing, including money, may take the place of following Jesus.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you hear us when we pray and that you welcome children like us. Help us keep asking you for what we need, come to you with humble hearts, and trust you to open our eyes to see your goodness. Amen.
