This lesson teaches children that God invites everyone to his feast and that the two greatest rules are to love God and to love other people. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a memory verse, and one simple activity.
Big Idea
God wants everyone to come to his party, and the most important thing we can do is love God with our whole heart and love the people around us as ourselves.
Memory Verse
Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
(WEB)
Put both hands over your heart when you say the first part, then open your arms wide when you say the second part. Practice it together three times so children can feel the words as well as hear them.
The Story: Matthew 22 for Kids
Jesus told his listeners a story about a king who was throwing a big wedding party for his son. The king sent servants to tell the guests that everything was ready and it was time to come. But the people who had been invited would not come. Some went off to their farms, and some went off to their businesses. Others treated the servants badly and even hurt them.
The king was very sad and angry about this. So he told his servants, “Go out to the streets and invite anyone you can find!” The servants went everywhere and brought in good people and bad people alike. Soon the wedding hall was full of guests. The king was happy to see so many people enjoying his feast.
Then the king noticed one man who was not wearing the right clothes for a wedding. The king asked him kindly, “Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?” The man had no answer. Jesus said this shows that God’s invitation is wide, but everyone who comes must come with a willing heart.
Later, some people tried to trick Jesus with hard questions. They asked him whether people should pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked them whose face was on the coin. They said, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” Everyone was amazed by his wise answer.
A teacher of the law then asked Jesus which rule in God’s law was the most important. Jesus gave a clear answer. He said the first rule is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second rule is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said everything in God’s word depends on these two rules.
Read It Together
Matthew 22:2-4
2 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!”’
(WEB)
Point out that the king is preparing a feast and sending out invitations. Ask children what it feels like to be invited to a party and how they would feel if they were not able to come.
Matthew 22:9-10
9 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’ 10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.
(WEB)
Show children that the servants went out to everyone they could find, both good and bad. Explain that God’s love is open to all people, and he wants us to share his invitation with others.
Matthew 22:39-40
39 A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
(WEB)
Read these verses slowly and point out that loving our neighbor is the second great rule. Help children name ways they can show love to a friend, a family member, or someone at school.
Talk About It
- What do you think the wedding feast was like for the king and his son?
- Why do you think the people who were invited did not want to come?
- How can we show God that we love him with our whole heart?
- Who is someone in your life that you can show love to this week?
- What does it mean that God’s invitation is for everyone, even people who are not perfect?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Invitation
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a fancy invitation to God’s feast and write or draw who they would like to invite. Encourage them to include a friend, a neighbor, or someone who feels left out. Let them share their invitation with the class or their family.
Heart and Neighbor Relay
Set up two cones or chairs at one end of a room to act as the “heart” and the “neighbor.” Children take turns running to the heart, touching it, and then running to the neighbor and giving them a high five or a hug. Repeat with teams to make it a friendly race. Afterward, remind children that both loving God and loving others matter.
Take-Home Invitation Card
Cut index cards in half and give one to each child. Ask them to write “You are invited to love and be loved” on the card and decorate it. Have them take it home to give to a family member or neighbor during the week. Encourage them to talk about who they invited and why.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s kingdom is a generous invitation that many people turn down, and yet God keeps inviting others in. It also reminds us that loving God and loving others are at the center of following Jesus, and that everything else in God’s word flows from these two commitments.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the story of the guest without wedding clothes as a warning of harsh punishment. Keep the focus on God’s open invitation and on the joy of love, rather than on fear. Let children ask questions about the story, and gently remind them that God loves them.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for inviting us to your big party. Help us love you with all our hearts and love the people around us as we love ourselves. Help us invite others to come along too. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
