This lesson teaches children that Jesus was born as the promised King, and that God keeps every promise He makes. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the reading, and the activity.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, and Jesus is the King He promised to send. Nothing can stop God’s plan, not even a bad king who wants to hurt Jesus.
Memory Verse
Matthew 2:2
“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands up high like a crown, then bend low and bow their heads as if they were worshiping. Say the verse together while you do the motions twice, slowly, then faster.
The Story: Matthew 2 for Kids
Jesus was born in a small town called Bethlehem, in the land of Judea. At that time a king named Herod ruled the land, and he was not a good king. He did not want anyone else to be called king.
Some wise men came from the east, far away. They had seen a bright star in the sky, and they knew it meant a special King had been born. They traveled all the way to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the new King of the Jews? We want to worship Him!”
When Herod heard this, he was worried. He called the chief priests and teachers together and asked where the King would be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem, just as the Scriptures say.” Then Herod secretly called the wise men to him and asked them exactly when the star had appeared. He said, “Go and find the young child, and then come tell me, so I can worship Him too.” But Herod did not really want to worship Jesus. He wanted to harm Him.
The wise men left, and the star went before them until it stopped right over the house where Jesus was. They were so happy that they cried tears of joy. Going inside, they saw baby Jesus with His mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshiped Him, and they gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they went home a different way. An angel also came to Joseph in a dream and said, “Take the child and Mary and flee to Egypt, because Herod wants to hurt Jesus.” Joseph got up in the night and took his family to Egypt, where they stayed safe until Herod died.
After Herod died, the angel came to Joseph again and told him it was safe to go home. Joseph brought Jesus and Mary to the land of Israel, and they settled in a town called Nazareth. Jesus grew up there, just as God had planned.
Read It Together
Matthew 2:9-11
9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(WEB)
Point out how the star guided the wise men right to Jesus. Ask children to notice that they were overjoyed and that they worshiped Jesus, not Herod.
Matthew 2:13
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
(WEB)
Show children that God sent a messenger to protect Jesus when danger came. Explain that God cares for His Son even when people try to stop His plans.
Matthew 2:19-21
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.” 21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
(WEB)
Point out that God brought the family back safely after Herod died. Remind children that God’s plans always come true, even when they take a little time.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the wise men traveled so far to find Jesus?
- How did God help the wise men and Joseph when they needed direction?
- What do you think it felt like for Mary and Joseph to flee to a new country with a baby?
- Why did Herod want to hurt Jesus, and what does that tell us about him?
- What is one gift you could give Jesus today, even though it is not gold?
Activity Ideas
Star Crown Craft
You will need paper, scissors, glue, glitter or gold stickers, and a strip of paper long enough to wrap around each child’s head. Have children cut out star shapes, decorate them, and glue them onto the strip to make a crown. Talk about how the star led the wise men to the King while they wear their crowns.
Follow the Star Game
Hide a paper star somewhere in the room, or draw one on a sheet of paper and tape it to a wall. Blindfold one child or have them close their eyes, and have the others call out “warmer” or “colder” as they move toward it. Explain that the wise men followed God’s star to find Jesus, and God leads us too.
Gifts for Jesus Take-Home
You will need a small paper bag, crayons, and a slip of paper for each child. Have children draw one gift they can give Jesus, such as helping at home or sharing a toy, and tuck it in the bag. Encourage them to show the bag to their family at dinner and tell them what they plan to do this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus is the promised King whom the prophets foretold, and that God’s plan cannot be thwarted by political power or human cruelty. Herod’s fear and violence contrast with the humble worship of the wise men, and God’s direct guidance through dreams and angels shows His faithful care over Jesus from the very beginning.
Avoid overstating to children that God will always protect them from every danger in the way He protected Jesus. Instead, emphasize that God is always with His people, and that He keeps His promises even when life is hard.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promise to send Jesus, the King. Help us to follow You like the wise men followed the star, and to worship Jesus with joy. Thank You that You are always with us, and that You are faithful. Amen.
