The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth – Bible lesson for kids

In Matthew 17:24-27, we find a unique and miraculous event in the life of Jesus and His disciple, Peter. This story is about a coin found in a fish’s mouth, which teaches us about God’s provision, obedience, and respect for authority.

Key Points:

• God provides for us in miraculous ways.
• Respecting authority and fulfilling civic duties is important.
• God cares about our daily needs and activities.

Lesson Guide – The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth

Introduce the Bible passage from Matthew 17:24-27. 

Discuss the situation Jesus and Peter encountered and the need to pay the temple tax. Ask the child if they have heard of taxes. Explain that taxes are a contribution people make to help their country or community. For example, when adults earn money, they give a part to the government. This money helps pay for things everyone uses, like schools, parks, and roads.

To illustrate this, you can play a simple activity. Give your child ten small items, like blocks or pieces of candy. Explain that these items are like the money people earn. Introduce the idea of taxes by asking them to give two of these items back to you to put in a family pot. You can say, “Just like how we are returning two blocks, in our story, Jesus and Peter had to give a part of what they had for the temple tax.”

Explain to your child that even though Jesus, as the Son of God, didn’t have to pay the temple tax, He chose to do so. This was His way of showing respect for the authorities and the laws of the land. Highlight how Jesus’ decision teaches us the importance of following rules and respecting those in charge, even when we might feel those rules don’t apply to us.

Explain that by paying the tax, Jesus avoided causing offence or misunderstanding. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach your child about thinking about others’ feelings and perspectives.

You might say, “In the same way Jesus thought about how His actions would affect others, we should also think about how what we do and say might make others feel.” You could even engage in a small role-playing activity where your child thinks of the best way to act for the benefit of others.

Ask the child, “How Peter felt when Jesus told him he would find a coin in a fish’s mouth – it’s such an unusual thing to happen!”

Focus on Peter’s reaction. Peter didn’t question Jesus. He simply trusted and did as he was told. Use this to talk about trust and obedience in a way your child can understand: “Just like Peter trusted Jesus, we need to trust and obey God, even when we don’t fully understand why.”

Create a simple fishing activity with paper fish and coins. Let the children experience the joy of ‘fishing’ for coins, making the miracle relatable and fun.

Discuss how God provided the amount needed in the fish’s mouth. Just like Jesus knew the exact amount required for the tax and provided it, God knows and provides what we need. Share a relatable example: “Remember when we needed rain for our garden, and it rained just in time? God provided just what we needed, similar to how Peter found the coin in the fish.” Help the child see how God’s care is present in their daily lives.

Remind the child that God can provide for our needs in surprising ways, the importance of obedience and trust in God, and respecting rules and authorities. 

Close with a prayer, thanking God for His continuous care and guidance, and asking for help to be obedient, respectful, and trusting in our daily lives.

The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth – Bible story for kids

Games and activities

Fish for a Coin

Create a simple fishing game using a small fishing rod (or a stick with a string and a magnet attached).

Cut out fish shapes from paper and attach paper clips to them. Write different values on each fish.

Place the fish on the floor and let the children ‘fish’ for them.

Relate it back to Peter’s trust in Jesus when he went fishing for the coin.

Temple Tax Toss

Set up a small target area or a series of buckets, each with a different point value.

Give the children a set number of coins and let them toss the coins into the buckets. Add up the points to see how much ‘tax’ they’ve paid.

‘Find the Coin’ Scavenger Hunt

Hide 4 paper coins around a room or an outdoor area. Ensure they are placed in safe and reachable spots for children.

On each coin, write a part of the story from Matthew 17:24-27. You can use the provided template.

Give the child a specific instruction to find each coin. For example, the first clue might be, “Look under the sofa for something shiny.” Each clue leads to the next coin.

As the child finds each coin, pause to discuss the part of the Bible story.

Ask questions like, “What do you think Peter felt when Jesus told him to find the coin in the fish’s mouth?”

After all the coins are found, reflect on the overall story.

Highlight how Peter listened to and obeyed Jesus, even when the instruction seemed unusual.

Worksheets (Preschool)

Free Bible Coloring Pages – The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth

Coin in Fish’s – Craft

What you need:

• Template pages (use card for best results)
• Colouring equipment
• Scissors
• Glue
• Split pin

What to do:

1. Colour the template pages.
2. Cut out the pieces.
3. Use a split pin to attach mouth section where shown.

Paper cup fish – Craft

What you need:

• Template page
• Colouring equipment
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paper Cup
• String
• Tape

What to do:

1. Colour the template pages.
2. Cut out the pieces and glue onto paper cup to make it look like a fish. Optional: decorate the cup.
3. Tape some string to the inside of the cup and to the coin.

Download the lessons for FREE

Translations