Jesus and the Little Children

When the disciples thought little children were not important enough for Jesus, Jesus replied, “Let the little children come to me.” Our passage is found in Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, and Luke 18:15-17.

Key Points:

• Jesus welcomes children.
• We should not judge people by how “important” they seem.
• Jesus doesn’t welcome us because of who we are but because of who He is.

Lesson Guide – The Little Children

Who is important? Select several of your child’s toys. This should include their favorite and least favorites. Ask the child to put them in order of importance (this is best done on a bookshelf or stairs to show how the most important items are higher than the lesser items). When they are done, talk about the order they put them in. 

Ask the child what people they think are important. Parents, politicians, royalty, etc. Take all the toys and put them on an even level. Explain that God is not a respecter of persons (someone who treats people according to their rank) and sees everyone as equal. We are all sinners and need Jesus in our hearts.

Jesus came to save people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Show a world map and allow your child to pick a place. Commit to praying for the people of that nation. In addition, you may research the country more. Look up photos. Listen to a sample of the language. Etc. 

How did the disciples respond to the children who came to meet Jesus? They saw them as not very important. They tried to keep them away from Jesus. We should never underestimate the small things. 

Show an unblown up balloon. Talk about how it is very small. Blow it up. Ask if it still seems small now? Share that God doesn’t care if people are rich or poor. Old or young. It’s what is inside that matters to God. He cares about whether Jesus is living in their hearts.

Play a game by listing things that matter to God or don’t matter to God. Examples: Does God care if we have a million dollars? Does God care if we obey His word?  

Many people like to think they can offer something to God. Talk about ways people see themselves as important. Riches. Fame. Titles. Etc. Do these things matter to God? No. It is only through Jesus that people can be saved.

Create a small cake out of mud. Ask the child if it would be good to eat. Begin adding decorations to the mud cake. Each time, ask the child if they think it would be good to eat now. Talk about how it doesn’t matter how many things we put on the cake, it is still mud and icky to eat. If Jesus doesn’t clean our hearts, nothing else matters since our hearts are dirty. Now pull out a simple cake or piece of bread. Ask if it would be better to eat than the fancy mud cake. Explain that we don’t need fanciness like fame or fortune. We only need to offer Jesus our hearts that He can make clean.

Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Pray, and thank God that He welcomes children. Ask Him to bless you with knowing Him better.

Video lesson for children

Free Printable Bible Story

Games and activities

Team obstacle course.

Create an obstacle course. With your child, you must find a way through together. You can carry your child or lift them over obstacles, or your child may crawl under while you climb over.

Share with your child how things and people will try to block them from coming to Jesus, but you are always there to help them. Remind them that Jesus welcomes them.

Magnet Maze

Using a magnet and a small piece of metal (a coin or paper clip are ideal,) place the magnet under the paper and the metal object above. Have your child guide the metal object through the maze and to Jesus. 

Pray with your children

Remind your child that Jesus welcomes us to come to Him at any time. Throughout the day, ask your child if now it is okay to pray or if Jesus is too busy for you. Spend time praying together and thanking God that He welcomes us through Jesus.

Worksheets

Free Bible Coloring Pages – The Little Children

Crafts – Let the little children come to me

What you need:

• Template pages,
• Colored pencils,
• Scissors,
• Optional: Glue stick.

What to do:

1. Color the template pages
2. Cut out the children with the handle and along the dashed line.
3. Fold the parts. Insert handle inside with the children through the gap.

Download the lessons for FREE

Translations