Luke 20 teaches children that Jesus is the one with real authority, and that we should give God the honor that belongs to him. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus has the true authority, so we give God our trust, our love, and our whole lives. Everything we have comes from him, and we belong to him.
Memory Verse
Luke 20:25
He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
(WEB)
Hold your hands out flat in front of you, palms up, then turn them over slowly as you say the words. Turning your hands shows that everything we have is handed back to God. Do this motion each time you say the verse together.
The Story: Luke 20 for Kids
One day Jesus was teaching the people in the temple, telling them the Good News about God’s kingdom. Some priests and teachers came up to him with a hard question. They wanted to know who gave him the right to do the things he did. Jesus answered them with a question of his own, about where John the Baptist’s work came from. The leaders didn’t want to say what they really thought, so they gave no answer at all.
Next Jesus told a story about a man who planted a vineyard and rented it to some farmers. He went away for a long time. When it was time for the fruit to be collected, he sent a servant to get his share. The farmers beat that servant and sent him away with nothing. The man sent another servant, and then a third, and the farmers treated them the same way. At last the owner said, “I will send my own dear son. Surely they will respect him.” But the farmers said to each other, “This is the heir. Let’s kill him so the vineyard will be ours.” They did exactly that.
Jesus asked the people what the owner would do to those farmers. The people said he would surely come and deal with them. Then Jesus pointed to a verse in the Scriptures about a stone the builders threw away that became the most important stone of all. He was showing that he himself is that stone, and that the leaders who rejected him were making a serious mistake.
The leaders wanted to trap Jesus in his words. They sent spies to ask him whether people should pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked them to show him a coin, and he asked whose picture was on it. They said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus gave them an answer that amazed them: give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God. Nobody could catch him in what he said.
Some Sadducees, who did not believe that people rise from the dead, came next with a tricky question about a woman who had been married to seven brothers. Jesus told them that God is the God of the living, not the dead. He reminded them that God called himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, long after those men had died. Some teachers agreed with him, and no one dared ask him another question.
Read It Together
Luke 20:21
They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.
(WEB)
Point out that the people who came to Jesus called him “Teacher” and said he taught the way of God truly. Ask the children what it means to tell the truth when you speak about God.
Luke 20:37-38
37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God describes himself as the God of living people. Explain that because God is alive, those who belong to him are alive with him.
Luke 20:46-47
46 “Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus warned people not to look for praise or fancy seats just to be seen. Talk about how a humble heart matters more to God than looking important.
Talk About It
- What do you think the owner of the vineyard was hoping the farmers would do when he sent his son?
- Why do you think Jesus asked the people whose picture was on the coin?
- What are some things in your life that belong to God, and how can you show that to him?
- How did it make you feel when you heard that God is the God of living people?
- What is one way you can be humble like Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Coin Rubbing Drawing
You will need a few coins, plain paper, and crayons with the paper peeled off. Place a coin under the paper and rub the side of a crayon over it until the design shows up. Talk with the children about how the coin has a picture that shows whose it is, and remind them that they belong to God. Let each child write a short sentence on their drawing about something they want to give to God.
Stone and Hands Game
Gather a few smooth stones or small blocks and a bowl or basket. Have the children stand in a circle and pass a stone around while the music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the stone says one thing God has given them. Use this to remind everyone that good things come from God and that Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith.
Take-Home Hand Card
Give each child a small piece of cardstock and ask them to trace their hand. Cut out the hand shape and write the memory verse across it. Encourage them to take it home and do the palm-up, turn-over motion at dinner or bedtime. Tell them that their hands can remind them to give God their whole life every day.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that Jesus has real authority, and that the religious leaders kept refusing to accept it. The parable of the vineyard points to God’s patience with people and to how Jesus was rejected even though he was the Son sent by the Father. For adults, the chapter also invites us to examine whether we give God what is his, including our trust, worship, and obedience.
With children, avoid overstating the anger or danger of the leaders in a way that turns the lesson into fear. Keep the focus on Jesus’ wisdom, God’s faithfulness, and the joy of belonging to him. The passage contains warnings, so present them gently and always return to the love God shows.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you have all authority and that you are the cornerstone of our lives. Help us to give you our trust, our love, and our whole hearts every day. Teach us to be humble and to give to God what belongs to him. Thank you that you are the God of the living and that we belong to you. Amen.
