In this lesson, children learn that God wants us to give Him our whole lives, and that we can show His love by being kind to everyone, even when it is hard. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God wants all of me. When I am kind, patient, and loving to others, I am showing that I belong to Him.
Memory Verse
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
(WEB)
Put both hands on your heart, then stretch them out wide like giving a big hug. Say the verse with your hands moving the same way each time you say it, and children will remember it.
The Story: Romans 12 for Kids
A man named Paul wrote a long letter to friends in the city of Rome. These friends loved Jesus, and they met together to pray and learn about Him. Paul wanted them to know how to live as followers of Jesus every single day.
Paul began by saying something very important. He said that because God has shown us such great mercy, we should give Him our whole selves, like a gift we offer back to Him. Paul told them not to copy the way the world acts, but to let God change the way they think. When your mind is changed by God, you begin to know what He wants you to do.
Paul also wrote about the church being like a body with many different parts. Some people are good at teaching, some at helping, and some at giving. Every part is needed, and every person matters. Paul told them to use their gifts to help one another, not to think they were better than anyone else.
Then Paul gave them some very practical instructions. He said that love should be real, not fake. He told them to be patient in hard times, to keep praying, and to share with those who have needs. He even said that when people are unkind, we should bless them and not curse them back. Paul said, “Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” That means answering unkindness with kindness.
Paul’s letter teaches that God is the one who makes things right in the end. We do not need to take revenge. Instead, we can trust God and keep doing what is good.
Read It Together
Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
(WEB)
Point out the word “therefore” and ask children what it is pointing back to. Explain that Paul is saying “because God has been so merciful to us, we should give Him our whole lives,” which is a gift we offer back.
Romans 12:4-5
4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
(WEB)
Use your own hands or a bunch of crayons to show that many different parts make up one whole. Point out that every person in the church family has a special job and that each job is important.
Romans 12:17-18
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
(WEB)
Ask children what it might look like to live at peace with a sibling or classmate. Notice that Paul says “if it is possible,” which shows that peace takes effort and that we do our part while God does the rest.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you can do this week to show God that you belong to Him?
- When someone is unkind to you, what is a kind thing you could do instead?
- Why do you think God gave each person a different gift to share with others?
- How can you be patient when you have to wait for something you really want?
- Who is one person you could pray for or help this week, and how?
Activity Ideas
Hand Print Body Craft
You will need construction paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace their hand on paper, cut it out, and write their name and one special gift they have on the fingers. Glue all the hands together on a large poster to make a body shape. Talk about how every hand is different and needed in the same body.
Coals of Kindness Game
You will need a few soft balls or rolled-up socks and a bucket. Divide children into two teams and have them toss the soft balls into the bucket. Each time someone makes a basket, have them name one kind thing they could do for an enemy or someone who is unkind. Celebrate each kind idea together as a class.
Kindness Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen. Write “Overcome evil with good” on the jar and place it where the family can see it. Each time someone does a kind act at home, they write it on a strip and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the strips aloud together and thank God for each one.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Romans 12 describes the Christian life as a whole-person response to God’s mercy. Worship is not limited to Sunday but includes how we think, how we treat other believers, and how we respond to people who wrong us. Paul grounds ethical living in the gifts and mercy God has already given.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that being good earns God’s love. Make clear that God loves children already and that kindness is a loving response to Him, not a way to earn approval. Also be careful not to suggest that children must never feel angry or hurt, since Paul acknowledges real troubles and real wrongs.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and being merciful to us. Help us to give You our whole hearts and to be kind to everyone, even when it is hard. Show us how to use the gifts You have given us to help others. Help us to trust You when people are unkind to us. We love You. Amen.
