This lesson teaches children that God invites everyone into His family, and that the most important things in life are loving God and loving the people around us. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God loves everyone and invites us to His party, and the best way to live is to love God first and love the people around us like we love 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, then stretch your arms out wide like you are giving someone a big hug. Say the verse together as you move, first slowly, then a little faster each time.
The Story: Matthew 22 for Kids
Jesus told a story about a king who was throwing a big wedding party for his son. The king sent his servants to tell the people he had invited that the food was ready and it was time to come. But the invited guests did not want to come. Some went back to their farms, and some went to their jobs. Others were so rude that they hurt the servants and even killed some of them.
The king was very sad and angry about this. He said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but the people I invited are not coming. Go out to the streets and invite everyone you can find.” So the servants went out and brought in people from all over, both good people and bad people. The wedding hall was full of guests, and the party was happy.
Then the king came in to see the guests, and he noticed one man who was not wearing the special clothes for a wedding. The king asked him, “Friend, how did you come in without wedding clothes?” The man did not have an answer. Jesus told this story to show that God welcomes everyone who comes to Him, and that we should come to Him with our whole hearts.
After that, 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 were holding. They said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.” Everyone was amazed by how wise His answer was.
Then a man who had studied God’s law asked Jesus a question too. He wanted to know which rule was the most important one. Jesus answered that the first rule is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second rule is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Jesus said that all of God’s teaching grows from 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 keeps inviting people even after the first guests say no. Ask children what this tells them about how much God wants people to come to Him.
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 invited anyone they could find, both good and bad. Explain that God’s invitation is open to everyone, and that He is ready to welcome all who come.
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)
Help children see that loving their neighbor is connected to loving God. Point out the word “depend,” and explain that these two rules are like the foundation a house stands on.
Talk About It
- What do you think the king felt when people said no to his party?
- Why do you think God wants everyone to come to His party, even the people who are not good?
- What does it look like to love God with all your heart?
- Who is a neighbor you could show love to this week?
- How can you tell that someone is treating you the way God wants people to treat each other?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Own Wedding Invitation
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Ask each child to draw a card with an invitation to a big party. Let them decorate it with things that make them happy. Then talk about who they would invite, and remind them that God invites everyone to come to Him. Children can keep the card or give it to someone they know.
Neighbor Relay Race
You will need a few chairs or cones and a small object like a beanbag. Set up a short course in your room or outside. Children run in teams, passing the beanbag to a partner. Each time someone finishes, they say one way they can love their neighbor, like sharing a toy or helping with a chore. This helps children connect the rules Jesus taught with everyday actions.
Take-Home Heart Reminder
You will need a paper heart for each child, a pencil, and a marker. Have children trace the heart on paper and cut it out. On one side, they write “Love God.” On the other side, they write “Love others.” Encourage them to tape the heart near their bed or on the fridge, so they see it each day and remember what matters most.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s invitation to His kingdom is generous and open, and that many who are invited can turn it down out of distraction or pride. It also shows that the center of the Christian life is love for God, expressed in love for others. Jesus answers hard questions with clarity, and the whole law rests on these two commitments.
With children, avoid overstating the story of the guest without wedding clothes as a rule about dress or behavior at church. Keep the focus on the joy of God’s welcome and the importance of loving God and others, rather than suggesting the story is mainly about punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for inviting us to Your party and for welcoming everyone who comes to You. Help us love You with all our hearts, and help us love the people around us the way we love ourselves. Thank You for loving us so much. Amen.
