Jesus Chooses His Disciples – Baby and Toddler Lesson

In this Bible lesson for babies and toddlers, Jesus chooses 12 disciples. This is a great Bible story for children because it shows the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

Download the FREE pdf for printable and story page. Sample of learning activities below.

Download the lesson pdf

A Dozen Disciples

Jesus had a dozen of disciples. It means that He had 12 disciples.

Skills learned:

Materials needed:

A dozen of objects

You may also use the disciple cards.

Preparation:

Gather 12 objects.  

Steps:

For Babies and Toddlers:

Show the children twelve objects. Explain that sometimes we call twelve a dozen.

Hide 12 objects around your room or backyard.

Let the children seek those objects.

Always ask the children if they found the dozen.

Help them count to twelve.

Let the children have the chance to hide the objects too and the other kids or grownups can go find the dozen!

By Your Name

Jesus called each of the disciples to follow Him. Jesus knows all our names.

Materials needed:

• A plastic pocket (sleeve)
• Play dough
• Paper
• Pen

Preparation:

Write the child’s name in on some paper and place inside a plastic pocket.

Steps:

For Babies and Toddlers:

1. Show the child the plastic pocket with their name on it.
2. Ask them if they recognize what is written?
3. Read the letters slowly – Wait until they recognize their name.
4. Give them some playdough and let them follow the lines of the letters to write their name.
5. Review each letter name and sound as they complete it.
6. Read their name again.
7. Share that Jesus knows their name and love them.

A Follower

Jesus called the twelve to follow Him and become His disciples.

Materials needed:

A pull toy

Preparation:

If you don’t have a pull toy, create your own by tying string to a pullable object.

Steps:

For Babies and Toddlers:

Introduce a pull toy to the child.

Show how it works.

Set up a course for the child to pull the toy around.

Talk about how the toy follows them but they must also watch the toy.

Share that we must follow Jesus, but He keeps watching us and caring for us.

For Babies

Babies can be the followers.

Have an adult pull the string and let babies crawl around following the toy.

Walk With Us

Jesus promises to walk with us wherever we go as His disciples and to help us.

Materials needed:

Jumping rope

Steps:

For Babies and Toddlers:

Let the child hold one end of a jumping rope, and an adult on the other end.

Now, do movements together. Take turns to say what you will do next.

• Walk slowly together,
• Leap up high together,
• Crawl together,
• Run together,
• Dance and so on.

Make sure that the child always holds the rope and notices that you are connected.

Songs

Download the lesson pdf