This lesson teaches children that God hears every prayer, including the humble ones, and that He welcomes little children. It is designed for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God listens when we pray, even when we feel small or weak. We can always come to Him with a humble heart and keep trusting Him, because He loves us and wants us near.
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)
Put your hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are receiving a gift. Then bring them to your heart as you say the verse slowly together. Do this three times so children can feel the words and remember them.
The Story: Luke 18 for Kids
Jesus told a story to show His friends that they should always pray and never give up. In the story, a widow kept coming to a judge who did not care about God or about people. She asked him again and again to help her with her problem. At first the judge refused, but in the end he helped her, because she kept bothering him.
Jesus then told a second story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One man was a Pharisee, a proud religious leader. He stood up tall and thanked God that he was not like other people. The other man was a tax collector, who was often seen as a bad person. He stood far away, would not even look up, and simply said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
Jesus said the tax collector went home right with God, not the proud man. Everyone who makes himself big will be made low, and everyone who humbles himself will be lifted up. Then some parents brought their little babies to Jesus so He could touch them. The disciples told them to go away, but Jesus called the children close.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them, because God’s Kingdom belongs to people like these.” Later, a rich young ruler asked Jesus how to have eternal life. Jesus told him to give away his money and follow Him, but the man was very sad and walked away. Jesus said it is hard for rich people to enter God’s Kingdom, but nothing is impossible with God.
Finally, a blind man sat beside the road near the town of Jericho and cried out for help. When Jesus heard him, He asked the man what he wanted. The man said, “Lord, I want to see again.” Jesus healed him, and the man followed Jesus, giving praise to God.
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 children what they think it means to keep praying when we feel like stopping. Explain that God is always listening and never tires of us.
Luke 18:13
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!’
(WEB)
Show children how the tax collector stood far off and asked God for mercy with a sad, honest heart. Point out that he did not pretend to be perfect. Explain that God welcomes people who come to Him simply and honestly.
Luke 18:42-43
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)
Notice that the blind man asked boldly for help and that Jesus healed him. Point out that the man then followed Jesus and praised God. Explain that when God helps us, we can thank Him and follow Him closely.
Talk About It
- What do you think the widow felt when she kept asking the judge for help?
- Why do you think the tax collector stood far away and prayed so quietly?
- How can you show God that you are humble when you pray?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted the children to come close to Him?
- What is one thing you could ask God for this week, and what might keep you praying about it?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Prayer Faces
You will need paper plates, crayons, glue, and yarn. Let each child draw a face on a plate showing how they felt when they last prayed. Glue on yarn for hair and attach a popsicle stick to make a simple puppet. Talk together about how God hears every feeling we bring to Him.
Humble Tall, Humble Small
Ask children to stand up tall with arms stretched high, as the proud Pharisee might. Then have them slowly crouch down, hands on their hearts, as the tax collector did. Call out “Humble!” and “Lifted up!” in turns and let them move between the two positions. Finish by saying together that God lifts up those who humble themselves.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pencil. Each day, write one short prayer request on a slip of paper with your child and fold it into the jar. Keep praying over the slips together at mealtime. When an answer comes, write it on the back of the slip to remember how God listened.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that persistent prayer reflects trust in a God who is far more just and loving than an unjust judge. It also shows that true humility means honest dependence on God’s mercy rather than comparison with others. The passage calls us to receive God’s kingdom with the open trust of a child, which is a gift and not something earned.
Be careful not to suggest that God answers prayer only when we pray enough or in the right way, as if persistence were a formula that guarantees a result. Keep the focus on God’s character and His love, so children learn to trust Him rather than to measure their prayers.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for listening to us when we pray. Help us come to You with humble hearts and never give up talking with You. Thank You that You welcome children and grown-ups alike. We trust You today and always. Amen.
