In this lesson, children learn that Jesus chose ordinary people to share his good news, and that he still gives brave, kind hearts to those who follow him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus sends his friends out to tell others about him, and he is with them even when things feel scary. We can be brave and kind because Jesus is with us.
Memory Verse
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold out both hands, palms up, as if receiving a gift, and then turn them over and push them outward as if giving it away. Say “freely you received” while opening the hands, and “so freely give” while pushing them forward. Repeat it together three times.
The Story: Matthew 10 for Kids
One day Jesus called his twelve closest friends to come to him. He wanted them to help him, so he gave them special power to help sick people get well and to make hurting people feel whole again. Their names were Simon, who was also called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. There was also James and John, who were brothers, and Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew, who had once collected taxes. There were more too, including Judas Iscariot.
Then Jesus sent the twelve out, two by two, into the towns around them. He told them to go to the people of Israel first and to say, “The kingdom of heaven is near!” He asked them to heal the sick, to make clean those who had skin sicknesses, and to help people who were troubled by bad spirits. He said, “You received all of this for free, so give it to others for free too.”
Jesus told them to take nothing extra with them. No money, no extra bag, no spare shoes or coat. He said a worker deserves to be fed, and that people in each town would give them a place to stay. When they went into a home, they were to say, “Peace be with you.” If a house was kind to them, the peace would stay there. If not, the peace would come back to them.
Jesus was honest with his friends. He said some people would not like them, and that they might even be taken to court or to the rulers because of him. He said, “Do not worry about what you will say, because the Spirit of your Father will speak through you.” He told them that when people were unkind, they could go to another town. Jesus wanted them to know he was always with them.
Jesus also said something very comforting. He told his friends that God knows even the tiniest details about them, like how many hairs are on their heads. He reminded them that God sees every sparrow, and that they are worth much more than many sparrows. So Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” He wanted them to trust their Father in heaven.
Read It Together
Matthew 10:1
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus called his friends to himself first, before he sent them anywhere. Ask the children to notice that Jesus gave them power to help others, and that this power came from him, not from themselves.
Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus told his friends to be wise and gentle at the same time. Explain that wise means thinking carefully, and gentle means being kind, and that Jesus wants us to be both at once.
Matthew 10:29-31
29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will, 30 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
(WEB)
Read this slowly and point out how much God cares about small things. Remind the children that God knows them completely, and that they can bring their worries to him when they feel afraid.
Talk About It
- What did Jesus ask his friends to do when he sent them out?
- Why do you think Jesus told his friends to take nothing extra with them?
- What is one thing you could share with someone, just like the friends shared the good news?
- When have you felt scared, and how can remembering that God knows you help you feel brave?
- How can you show kindness to someone who is not kind to you?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Sparrow Friend
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a small sparrow on the paper and write or draw one thing they would like to share with a friend. Hang the pictures where the children can see them, and talk about how God knows and cares for even the smallest bird.
Two by Two Relay
You will need an open space, a few cups, and a bowl of water or a bean bag. Have the children pair up and move together across the room, carrying a cup of water or passing a bean bag between them without spilling or dropping it. Tell them that Jesus sent his friends out two by two, so working together helps us do good things.
Peace Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a marker, and tape or a ribbon. Write “Peace be with you” on one side of each card and let the children decorate the other side. Invite them to give the card to someone at home or at school, and to say the words as they hand it over, just as Jesus asked his friends to greet each home they visited.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus commissions his followers to proclaim the kingdom, to heal and to serve, while depending entirely on God’s provision and the Spirit’s help. It also honestly describes the cost of following him, including opposition and hardship, and it grounds the believer’s courage in the Father’s personal care.
Avoid overstating to children that faithful people will always be safe from harm or that speaking up for Jesus will always be easy. Be honest that some people may not welcome them, and focus the lesson on Jesus being with them and God knowing them, rather than on promises of an easy life.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you for calling us to be your friends and for sharing your love with us. Help us be brave when we feel scared and kind when others are hard to love. Remind us that you know us and care for us every day. Amen.
