The Widow’s Offering - Bible lesson for kids

In this lesson, we’ll explore the Widow’s Offering from Mark 12:42-44 & Luke 21:1-4 and discover the true meaning of giving and how Jesus values the intentions behind our actions.

Key Points:

It’s not about how much we give.
Jesus sees even quiet actions.
True giving is from the heart.
We should fully trust God.

The Widow’s Offering (UK) pdf

The Widow’s Offering (USA) pdf

The Widow’s Offering 5+ lesson pack pdf

Lesson Guide – The Widow’s Offering

Start by laying out different items or pictures, such as candy, a toy car, a computer, or a house. Ask your children to arrange them according to what they think is most valuable. Once done, discuss their choices. Ask them, “Why do you think one item is more valuable?”

Make it clear we often value something by the cost of an item, but worth is more than cost. For instance, a simple toy gifted by a friend might not cost much, but it’s priceless because of the love and memories attached. Share a personal story of a gift you received that may not have been expensive but was deeply meaningful.

Read the passage from Mark 12:42-44 or Luke 21:1-4.

Share a story about a person who gives a toy they never play with anymore and another who shares their only toy. Ask, “Who do you think gave more?” Highlight the difference between giving what we don’t need and giving something very important to us.

Prepare two boxes for the children: one extravagantly wrapped with ribbons and shiny paper and the other more modestly wrapped in plain brown paper. Place something of little significance inside the flashy box, such as a single pebble. Place a heartfelt handwritten note or a small, meaningful trinket in the simple box. Present both to the children and ask which they’re drawn to based on appearances. After they choose, reveal the contents of each box. Discuss how the outer appearance of the flashy box might have been misleading, and its content wasn’t as valuable as that of the unassuming box.

Explain how people might often be impressed by flashy or expensive gifts, but Jesus teaches us that the thought and love behind our gifts are what truly matter. God peers into our hearts to see the love and purpose behind our deeds.

Learn and repeat 2 Corinthians 9:7: “God loves a cheerful giver.” It’s not just about what or how much we give, but the joy with which we give.

Talk about trust. When the widow gave her two coins, she showed that she trusted God to care for her needs. Ask the children to think about a time they trusted someone, like jumping into a parent’s arms from a height, believing they would catch them. The widow’s act of giving everything she had is similar. She believed God would provide for her, even when she had given all she had to Him.

Explain that even though the widow’s gift might seem tiny compared to others, it was huge in the eyes of Jesus because of the love and sacrifice behind it.

Ask, “What small things can you give to God or share with others?” Allow the child to brainstorm ideas. It might be a smile, a drawing, a compliment, or even a tiny toy. Emphasize to the kids that just like the widow’s two coins, these small acts of giving can make a big difference in the Kingdom of God.

Pray to finish.

The Widow’s Offering – Bible story for kids

Games and activities

Coin Drop

Give the child a small number of coins and place a jar or bucket in the centre of the room.

Ask the children to drop or throw the coins one by one into the bucket.

Count how many coins they got inside.

Try again from a further distance. Discussing how the widow gave her two coins willingly and joyfully to God.

Value coins

Provide paper, crayons, and decorations.

Have children design their own coins with drawings representing things they love or acts of kindness. Discuss how God values our love and intentions, just like the widow’s.