Palm Sunday is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds waved palm branches and praised Him as King. It’s an exciting Bible story that helps kids understand who Jesus is and why people celebrated Him. There are many engaging Palm Sunday ideas for kids, including crafts, hands-on activities, YouTube videos, and printable lesson plans to help children learn and remember this important moment in the Bible.

when is Palm sunday?

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, and the week before Easter Sunday. So, to figure out which day Palm Sunday falls on, first determine when Easter is (this changes from year to year), and then subtract 7 days.

What does Palm Sunday celebrate?

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. This is the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when Jesus died and rose again. Palm Sunday is a day to celebrate Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, when the crowds praised and honoured Jesus. It also reminds us of what Jesus endured on the cross a week later.

Why is Palm Sunday so important?

The Old Testament is filled with hundreds of prophecies about the coming Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled every one of the prophecies. The Old Testament is building towards Palm Sunday and Holy Week, when God’s great rescue plan for humanity would unfold. 

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He knew that crucifixion awaited Him at the end of the week, yet He chose to enter Jerusalem because He loves us.

Palm Sunday is a day to remember Jesus’ great love for us. It’s a great chance to show gratitude and love to Him, and to check our heart posture, ensuring we are in line with Jesus.

If you’re looking for a simple way to explain the importance of Palm Sunday to kids, check out the script provided in Palm Sunday for Little Learners or Palm Sunday for Older Kids.

Palm Sunday Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to teach about Palm Sunday? Check out our scripted lesson plans, activities, and printable crafts. Perfect for kids aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version!)

Click here for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version

ACTIVITIES FOR PALM SUNDAY

Bigger kids will play a relay-style sorting game that looks at the kind of king Jesus is.

Activities are a fabulous way to help kids engage with a topic, and when it comes time to tell parents what they learned, they will likely have an easier time recalling the activity than a verbal lesson. 

In Palm Sunday for Older Kids, you’ll find a card-sorting activity where kids sort cards in small groups under two titles: “The King People Expected” and “The King Who Arrived (Jesus)”. This activity can easily be turned into a relay by having kids take turns bringing the cards across the room to stick them under the two titles. Once this activity is complete, kids will be able to clearly see that Jesus was not who people expected, but He is EXACTLY the king we need.

Younger Kids will enjoy acting out three parts of the story with actions, as outlined in Palm Sunday for Little Learners: 

• Pretending to be the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Be sure to remind kids that donkeys move slowly and have them say “clip-clop” as they move around the room.

• When you shout, “Hosanna!” kids will stop and wave their arms like palm branches. 

• When you say, “The King is here!” they will stop and bow their heads

Palm Sunday Craft - A Donkey that Carried the King

Making a simple donkey craft is a great way for younger kids to engage with the Palm Sunday story in a hands-on way. A template for this craft can be found in Palm Sunday for Little Learners. Kids will color the pieces and assemble them to create their own donkey, helping them picture the moment when Jesus rode into Jerusalem while people welcomed Him with palm branches.

As they work, remind them that Jesus chose to ride a donkey because He is a gentle and humble King. This simple craft helps children remember that Jesus is our King and He came to save us.

Palm Sunday Playing Card Craft

These playing cards are a great way to visualize key details from the story.

These Palm Sunday Playing Cards from Palm Sunday for Older Kids make a fun, hands-on craft that also helps kids review the story. Give each child a set of the printable cards and have them color the illustrations before carefully cutting them out. Each card has a front and a matching back that should be glued together to create a sturdy playing card.

As kids work, they’ll see different moments from the Palm Sunday story and can talk about what is happening in each scene. This is a great opportunity to remind them that the crowds welcomed Jesus as King, and to help them think about how this moment shows that Jesus is the promised King God had been preparing His people for.

Palm Sunday Worship Songs

Palm Sunday is a beautiful time to worship Jesus and praise Him for what He chose to do. He chose to enter Jerusalem, knowing that crucifixion was waiting for Him at the end of the week. There are many songs that focus on the word “Hosanna!” Take time to worship with your children. Here are some song suggestions:

• Hosanna Rock by Yancy and Little Praise Party

• Hosanna by Hillsong Worship

• Hosanna (Praise is Rising) by Shout Praises Kids

• To God Be the Glory by LifeTree Kids

More activities and ideas for Palm Sunday

• Felt Palm Branches: Create simple felt palm branches for reenacting the story of Palm Sunday using these instructions from Toddler at Play.

• Waving Palm Branches: Use green tissue paper or green streamers as palm branches and have kids wave these as they sing worship songs.

• Accordion-Folded Palm Branches: Follow these instructions from Faith-Filled Fun for accordion-folded palm branches.

Looking for More Easter Lessons?

This lesson is part of a two-lesson series, Palm Sunday and Easter. Kids will explore both Jesus’ triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and the significance of the cross and the empty tomb on Easter. These lessons help kids see how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises and why His resurrection gives us hope.

Teaching godly character traits helps children grow in faith while learning how to navigate everyday life with wisdom and love. Through Bible-based lessons, engaging crafts, printable activities, and meaningful discussions, kids can explore essential traits like contentment, perseverance, self-control, kindness, honesty, forgiveness, and courage, discovering how God’s Word guides their choices and shapes their hearts.

Why is teaching godly character traits important?

God calls us to live in the world, but not of it. We are called to be distinct and set apart. When someone looks at us and sees our actions, are we pointing to Jesus and acting in a way that would be honoring to God? 

Teaching kids about the importance of character traits like perseverance, self-control, kindness, honesty, forgiveness, and courage will help them understand how God wants us to live and be distinct. Many of these character traits are also highly valued by the secular world and are taught through TV shows, books, and in schools. But we also have a responsibility to teach them Bible stories associated with these traits and how God desires these characteristics in His children. 

PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance is not giving up on something, even if it’s really hard. God calls us to persevere through hard things, like when learning something new is taking a long time or when a situation we are going through feels really hard.

It’s easy to become frustrated when things become hard, so brainstorm strategies that can help when children (and adults) don’t want to show perseverance. These could include praying, asking for help and taking a break. Build a paper cube with these ideas on it as a visual reminder. For a template for the perseverance cube and many other ideas, check out Perseverance Bible Lessons for Kids. You will also find ideas for teaching kids about the story of Noah, which pairs perfectly with the character trait of perseverance.

HONESTY

Honesty is important because it reflects God’s character and honors Him. Honesty is telling the truth, even when it’s hard. This can be both the words we say and the actions we take. Dishonesty, by extension, is choosing to lie. There are several stories in the Bible about people who chose to be dishonest, including the story of Ananias and Sapphira. 

To help kids learn about honesty, take time to read this Bible story and do an activity to connect with it. Some other ideas include playing two truths and a lie (in a modified fashion), doing a lying object lesson using ice cream and salt, and creating honest self-portraits where kids draw and color their self-portrait and add a phrase about the importance of honesty. For instructions on all these and printable templates for the self-portrait craft, check our Honesty Bible Lessons for Kids.

CONTENTMENT

Contentment is being thankful and satisfied with what you have, without wanting more. This is a beautiful trait, especially in a world that tells us we should always want more. God calls us to be content and trust Him to provide for our needs. The story of the Israelites receiving manna in the desert pairs well with the topic of contentment.

There are many ideas for teaching kids about contentment, including reading the story of Manna in the Desert and doing activities that connect to it. Some other ideas include making a gratitude jar, making contentment bracelets, and completing a gratitude journal. For instructions on all these ideas and more, check out Contentment Bible Lessons for Kids.

FORGIVENESS

One of the central messages of the Bible is forgiveness. God loves us so much that He made a plan to redeem the world through Jesus. We have forgiveness of sins because of Jesus. God calls us to forgive because He forgave us. This means choosing to let go of bad feelings towards someone who has hurt you.

There are several great ways to teach kids about forgiveness. Read the story of the Prodigal Son and do activities that connect with the story. Do a simple object lesson, such as an illustration of a whiteboard eraser, where you write different sins on the whiteboard and then erase them, symbolizing how Jesus washes our sins away. Complete forgiveness envelopes by writing a time when someone else’s actions hurt you; seal them in the envelope and pray over them. For instructions on all these, and more ideas, check out Forgiveness Bible Lessons for Kids. You’ll also find printable lessons and crafts to go with the Prodigal Son story. 

SELF-CONTROL

Self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit. The Bible talks a lot about self-control, especially in our relationships with others and when we face temptation. Self-control is about slowing down, thinking, and making a good choice before you act.

Self-control can be tricky to put into practice, especially for young kids who are still learning to regulate their emotions. To help them learn about self-regulation, make self-control jars using water and glitter. Brainstorm places where kids should show self-control, and have them complete a printable booklet about it. Read the story of Jesus Tempted in the Desert and talk about how Jesus was able to combat temptation by using Scripture. Check out Self-Control Bible Lessons for Kids for more ideas as well as printable activity ideas. 

COURAGE

Courage is choosing to bravely do what is right, even if you are afraid. It’s not a feeling; it’s a choice. There are many stories in the Bible in which people had to show courage amid great challenges. One of these people was David, who fought Goliath. 

There are some great ways to teach kids about courage, including reading a story like David and Goliath. Check out Courage Bible Lessons for Kids for ideas, including a printable craft where kids make a church with the words “I do not have to be afraid, because God is with me!” 

KINDNESS AND EMPATHY

Kindness is being genuinely friendly, generous, and considerate towards others. Empathy is thinking about how another person might feel. Jesus set a perfect example of kindness and empathy towards others, and we need to follow his example. 

There are lots of great ways to teach kids about kindness and empathy. Set aside a day to complete a project that demonstrates kindness, like cleaning up a playground or reading books to younger children. Learn about kindness by reading the Bible story of the Good Samaritan and by doing activities that connect with it. Challenge kids to a kindness bingo where they complete random acts of kindness outlined in a simple bingo worksheet. For these printable activities and more ideas, check out Kindness Bible Lessons for Kids.

Teaching the Psalms to kids is a powerful way to help them learn how to talk to God in every season of life. The book of Psalms is filled with songs of praise, prayers for help, thanksgiving, wisdom, and honest emotions, showing children that they can bring every emotion to the Lord. Explore hands-on crafts and practical teaching ideas that make biblical poetry meaningful and memorable. Whether you’re a parent, homeschooler, Sunday school teacher, or work at a faith-based school, these Psalm lessons will help kids grow in their understanding of God’s Word.

WHAT ARE THE PSALMS?

The Psalms are a collection of 150 songs and poems in the Bible. The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, and can be found by opening to the middle of the Bible. About half of the psalms were written by David, and the rest were written by others like Moses, Solomon and Asaph (a worship leader). Psalms were a great way to express emotions and could serve as prayers to let God know how we are feeling. 

Crossroad Kids Club has a great video about the Psalms that could serve as a great introduction for kids before you dive into the Psalms.

Psalms Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach your kids about Psalms? These print-and-go lessons are perfect for ages 3 to 8. You’ll find scripted lessons, printable crafts, discussion questions, and more

(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version.)

Click here for the lessons for preschool and kindergarten

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PSALMS?

There are many different ways to categorize psalms. So, depending on your sources, you might hear different variations of psalm categories. In general, psalms are grouped by the emotions they depict. Psalms can help us pray and worship God in different seasons of life, when we are experiencing a range of emotions.

• Psalms of Praise: These are happy psalms, praising God for His greatness. 

• Psalms of Lament: These are sad psalms that talk about hard things people go through and ask God to help.

• Psalms of Thanksgiving: These psalms express gratitude to God for all the good things He has given.

• Wisdom Psalms: These are psalms that teach us how to live a life pleasing to God. They emphasize making good, wise choices rather than giving in to temptation.

• Royal Psalms: Psalms about God as King or speak about Israel’s earthly kings. Many ultimately point forward to Jesus as the true eternal King.

• Psalms of Ascent: A group of 15 psalms (Psalms 120–134) that were sung by pilgrims travelling up to Jerusalem to worship, likely during major feasts such as Passover, Pentecost, or the Feast of Tabernacles.

PSALM 23

Psalm 23, written by King David, is a psalm of praise. It reminds us that we can trust God to care for us and provide for us, just like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

To help kids delve into Psalm 23, have them create a mini book using words from the Psalm and add simple illustrations to each page. As they create the book, kids will think about how God cares for them, as a shepherd cares for sheep. The mini book template can be found in Psalm 23 for Older Kids. 

A simple sheep craft will help younger kids remember that God lovingly cares for them every day, as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Using the printable sheep template pieces from Psalm 23 for Little Learners, kids will cut them out and glue them together to assemble their sheep. You could play worship music while kids work to help them learn the words to the psalm, such as Psalm 23 by God on the Move or Psalm 23 by Phil Wickham.

PSALM 105

Psalm 105 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving. The unknown author writes this beautiful psalm about God’s faithfulness, and it serves as a timeline of events in Israel's history in which God repeatedly showed His faithfulness. 

To help kids connect with this psalm, take time to create a timeline of faithfulness for their own lives. The timeline will show moments where kids have seen God at work in their lives. These don’t necessarily have to be big things. They could be small things, like God helping them to feel brave or giving them peace. You can find a timeline template in Psalm 105 for Older Kids.

Younger Kids will create a thank-you collage to help them remember the wonderful things God has done. Kids will cut out pictures from kid-friendly magazines or from the picture templates in Psalm 105 for Little Learners, then glue them onto their paper. 

PSALM 121

Psalm 121, written by an unknown author, is a Psalm of Ascent. This is one of fifteen psalms that fit into this category. These psalms were sung by people as they travelled to Jerusalem to worship God. It is a psalm that celebrates God's greatness and reminds us that He watches over and protects His people. 

Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” This verse is a beautiful reminder that God is always with us, watching over us. As a visual reminder of this promise, kids will enjoy creating a door hanger featuring this verse. It will remind them that, no matter where they are or what they face, they can always turn to God for help. Use the door hanger template in Psalm 121 for Older Kids, and have kids decorate it and add symbols to remind them of times they need God’s help. 

Younger Kids will also make a hanging craft. In the crafts from Psalm 121 for Little Learners, kids will create a hanging ornament they can put on their door, hang from a hook, or wherever they like. The phrase “God is with me day and night” appears on the two-sided craft, with a sun on one side and a moon on the other.

Two songs that connect well to this psalm are Ellie Holcomb’s “Psalm 121” and Brian Doerksen’s “I Lift My Eyes Up”.

PSALM 150

Psalm 150, written by an unknown author, is a psalm of praise. It reminds us that God is worthy of praise! 

This psalm calls everything God made to praise Him. The earth craft, found in Psalm 150 for Older Kids, represents all of creation joining in worship. It can remind them that praising God is something we can do with our voices, our actions, and our whole lives, just like all of creation does in Psalm 150. 

Younger Kids will create joyful noise-makers and use them to praise the Lord. Follow the instructions provided in Psalm 150 for Little Learners to learn how to make these noisemakers. Then play praise music like "Everything That Has Breath" by Hillsong Worship.

PSALM 100

While the lessons for Psalm 100 are themed around the Thanksgiving holiday, it is always appropriate to express thanks to God. In Psalm 100 for Older Kids, there is a “Basket of Blessing” craft where kids will create a printable basket of fruit and write down things they are thankful for. This activity can prompt a great discussion about blessings and why it’s important to count our blessings. 

Younger kids will create a thankful chain to remember their blessings. Kids will use the “Thank you, God, for…” chain templates from Psalm 100 for Little Learners to draw or write about something they are thankful for. Then they can loop their chain strips together to create a chain link of thanksgiving.

WRITE A PSALM

Each of the above lessons includes a “Write a Psalm” activity. Older kids will use the provided sentence starters to fill in their thoughts about God. Younger kids will use an age-appropriate page to write or draw their thoughts about God. For both age groups, this could be a meaningful time to reflect on God’s character and reflect on their own emotions. This writing activity allows children to pray and worship God while also using their creativity. Be sure to check out each of the lessons, linked above, for the “Write a Psalm” worksheets. 

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Psalms are a great way to show kids that God wants to hear about all our emotions. He wants to know when we are sad, afraid, happy, nervous, angry and joyful. Psalms are a beautiful reminder that God is always with us and we can worship God in every season and circumstance.

Teaching kids about forgiveness becomes especially meaningful through the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, a powerful story Jesus told to show the importance of mercy and grace. There are many engaging, age-appropriate ideas that help children understand why God calls us to forgive others just as we have been forgiven, using simple explanations, hands-on activities, and faith-filled conversations that connect biblical truth to everyday life.

WHAT IS A PARABLE?

A parable was a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because He connected them to people’s everyday lives. Parables can also be easier to remember than long speeches.

THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant is found in Matthew 18:21–35. In this parable, Jesus tells about a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owed the king ten thousand bags of gold. When the servant said he could not pay the debt, the king ordered that he, his wife, his children, and all he had be sold.

The servant begged for mercy, and the king cancelled the debt and let him go. Later, that same servant found a fellow servant who owed him a hundred silver coins. When the man said he could not pay, the servant had him thrown into prison.

When the king heard what had happened, he was very angry. He called the servant back and told him he should have shown mercy, just as the king had shown mercy to him. Then the king had the unforgiving servant thrown into prison. Jesus ends the parable by warning that this is how God will treat those who do not forgive others from the heart.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant - Bible Lessons for Kids

If you’re looking for some print-and-go lessons to teach about the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, be sure to check out our scripted lesson plans, printable crafts, and discussion questions. These lessons are perfect for kids aged 3-8.

(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version)

Click here for the preschool/kindergarten version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

This parable is a response to a question that Peter asked. Peter asked how many times he was expected to forgive a brother when he sins. Jesus responds with a symbolic number: seventy times seven. This phrase was a symbol meaning an unlimited number of times.

In the parable, the King completely wiped out the debt, saying the servant didn't need to pay it. In the same way, God forgives us and washes us clean of all our sins. God calls us to forgive each other in return. Forgiving someone can be hard, but refusing to forgive is wrong. If we refuse to forgive others, we show that we don't truly understand God's forgiveness.

LET GO OF THE HEAVY STUFF - an OBJECT LESSON for kids

Object lessons are powerful because they take abstract ideas and make them concrete for kids. Forgiveness can be a hard concept to explain with words alone, but when children can see and feel something, it clicks. In the “Letting Go of the Heavy Stuff” object lesson, holding a laundry basket weighed down with a heavy object helps kids understand what it’s like to carry anger or a grudge. The physical weight gives language to a feeling many kids already know but may not know how to describe.

As the weight is removed, kids see that forgiveness can bring relief. This lesson connects directly to the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant by showing that forgiveness isn’t just a gift we give to someone else; it’s also a gift for the person doing the forgiving. When we hold on to anger, it weighs us down, but when we forgive, our hearts feel lighter. Because Jesus has forgiven us so much, we are free to let go of the heavy stuff and choose forgiveness too.

For a scripted object lesson, check out The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant for Older Kids.

A FORGIVING HEART CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL

Simple crafts can have a powerful message. In this craft, kids will cut out two hearts and glue them using tabs so they can be opened like a book. One heart reads “I can forgive others,” and the other bears Ephesians 4:32: “Forgive one another, just as in Christ God forgave you” (NIV).

Once the hearts are assembled, the kids can decorate their little books however they would like. The template pieces can be found in The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant for Preschool.

A HEART THAT FORGIVES CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

Older kids will do a lacing craft to remind them of the main idea from this lesson.

Older kids will enjoy the printable heart craft in The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant for Older Kids, where they use a hole punch along the edges of their heart pieces, then weave yarn in and out of the holes to sew the hearts together and create a pouch. 

As kids complete their craft, remind them that Jesus has forgiven us much, and that we can choose to forgive others, too! Forgiveness helps repair relationships and can make our hearts feel lighter. 

OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

• For more ideas about teaching forgiveness, check out Forgiveness Bible Lessons for Kids.

• Act it Out: Have kids take turns being the different people in the parable and act it out. Then act out real-life scenarios in which kids might need to show forgiveness. Model how to forgive. For example, saying “It’s OK” after someone apologizes isn’t very effective, because it wasn’t OK that someone wronged them. Instead, say, “I forgive you”.

• Forgiveness Chain: Make a paper chain with kids. As you make the chain, talk about things that people do that might require forgiveness. For example, “someone pushed me on the playground”, or “someone took my cookie”. Then use scissors to cut the chain, symbolizing forgiveness for those who wronged us.

• Make Erasers: Erasers are a great symbol of forgiveness, so why not make some erasers? Follow the instructions from Babble Dabble Do for how to make erasers using eraser clay.

YouTube videos about the unforgiving servant

YouTube can be a great resource for helping kids visualize a story. But be sure to preview all videos you plan to show to ensure they are age-appropriate and align with your teaching goals. Here are a couple of suggestions:

• The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant by Saddleback Kids

• God’s Story: Unforgiving Servant by Crossroad Kids’ Club

• The Unforgiving Servant by LifeKids

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the Parables of Jesus. The other lessons include The Parable of the Talents, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, and The Parable of the Great Banquet. 

And for more parable lessons, from an earlier parable series, check out Parable of Jesus for Older Kids and Parables of Jesus for Preschool.

Perseverance is an important godly character trait for kids to learn as they grow in faith and life skills. Through Bible-based teaching, hands-on crafts, printable lessons, and engaging activities, children can discover how God calls them to keep going, trust Him during challenges, and remain faithful even when things feel difficult.

How do you define perseverance to kids?

Perseverance is not giving up on something, even if it’s really hard. We live in a world that wants things fast, and we don’t like to wait. When we are learning something new, and it takes a long time, we can become frustrated and give up.

But God wants us to persevere and keep going, even when things get hard. Sometimes it will take a long time to learn something new. Sometimes, a situation we are going through will feel really hard, and we will want to give up. But perseverance is the ability to keep going and not give up.

For example, when math homework feels difficult, seek help instead of giving up. This is showing perseverance. When you’re learning how to ride a bike, keep practicing because the more you practice, the better you will get.

Perseverance Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for an engaging way to teach children about the character trait of Perseverance? Use the Bible story of Noah to facilitate learning. Our scripted lessons, printable crafts, and discussion questions are a great resource to help kids learn about this important character trait.

(Click HERE to shop the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade version!)

Click here to shop the kindergarten/st grade version

Perseverance builds resilience

Resilience means being able to bounce back when challenges arise. The more we practice perseverance, the more resilience we build. Perseverance is a choice in our actions. This means we choose to keep going even when something is difficult. Resilience is a choice in how we respond to our feelings, meaning we choose to calm down, think differently, and see challenges as opportunities for growth.

HOW DO YOU TEACH KIDS ABOUT Perseverance?

Take time to teach children the definition of perseverance and explore different examples of what perseverance looks like. These examples can include stories from the Bible where people chose perseverance (or didn’t choose perseverance), as well as modern, real-life situations kids may face. 

Discuss these stories and scenarios, then apply the material by having children role-play situations that require perseverance. Use hands-on crafts and activities to help them engage with the topic. Before they head home, challenge them to practice perseverance throughout the week.

The ‘Perseverance’ lessons for littler kids in kindergarten and first grade includes a number of hands-on activities and scripted lessons.

BUILDING BLOCKS OF PERSEVERANCE craft

Sometimes it is very hard to have a mindset of perseverance. It’s easy to become frustrated and give up, rather than using strategies to calm our bodies and persevere.

Brainstorm various strategies for what to do when you don’t want to show perseverance. Some ideas might include praying, asking for help, finding someone who is already good at that task, taking a break, and coming back later. 

Then give each child a ‘cube’ template found in Perseverance for Older Kids or Perseverance Lesson for Little Learners. The template for older children is largely blank, allowing them to draw and write their own ideas, whereas the cube for younger learners already includes traceable words, so they only need to trace them. 

Once kids have finished writing and coloring their cube, help them assemble and practice rolling it. This craft is a great visual reminder and a practical tool that kids can use when they are stuck in frustration. 

A plan for Perseverance – spinner craftivity

Having a plan can help children (and adults) visualize a step-by-step approach to persevering through a challenging task. Take time to help children create a perseverance plan to help them learn something that has been causing frustration. This could be riding a bike, doing math homework, learning a new piano song, etc.

Use the spinner template pages in Perseverance Bible Lessons for Older Kids to help students develop their perseverance plan. Take time to brainstorm ideas, then have children write and draw how they will work (and persevere) until they have accomplished this new skill. 

Bible Sword Drill

Using a Sword Drill to introduce children to the Bible is an effective way to help them navigate the pages of Scripture and understand the relationships among the books of the Bible. A Sword Drill is a simple exercise in which children are given a verse to look up and then must search for it.

To help kids with this, show them where the Table of Contents is in the Bible. Then teach them how to locate the book in the Table of Contents, flip to the page, and search for the chapter and verse. Initially, this will be a time-consuming and awkward task for children to manage. There will be some hand-holding and guidance. However, this is an important skill for children to have, so fostering this it is worthwhile.

You’ll find printable cards with the verses and lined pages for children to write the verses in the Perseverance Bible Lesson for Older Kids.

BIBLE STORY about Perseverance - Noah

Bible stories are an effective means of teaching biblical character traits. Take time to read a story about perseverance, discuss it, and complete an activity that connects to the story. 

The story of Noah found in Genesis 6-9 pairs well with the topic of perseverance. 

After reading the story, discuss the concept of perseverance. Noah was faced with a challenging task: to build a gigantic boat. Despite the odds, Noah persevered for many, many years and completed the task. Noah and his family were rewarded for their perseverance because they were the only humans safe aboard the ark when the flood came.

Next, do an activity to reinforce the learning. The Perseverance Bible Lesson for Older Kids includes a reflection page where kids brainstorm the things Noah might have been feeling while he built the ark. Then they can brainstorm things they can persevere at.

The Perseverance Bible Lesson for Little Learners includes a printable ark scene craft where kids will color and cut out the ark as well as the animals. Then they can glue Noah and the animals onto the ark.

MORE Crafts and activities to teach about Perseverance

• Perseverance Obstacle Course: Set up an obstacle course using various supplies from around your room and have kids complete the course. Challenge them to use perseverance and not give up.

• Perseverance Physical Challenge: Do a series of exercises like squats, push-ups, wall sits, and burpees. This will make kids tired, but turn it into a fun perseverance challenge and encourage kids to keep going, even when it’s hard.

•  Snail Crafts: Check out Kids Craftroom for some cute snail crafts. Snails pair well with perseverance because, even though snails are slow creatures, they still get to where they want to go. Perseverance doesn’t mean learning something quickly. It might be slow going, but perseverance means never giving up. 

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE LESSONS ABOUT Godly CHARACTER BUILDLING?

This lesson on contentment is part of a seven-part Character Education mini-series. Other lessons include contentment, kindness, courage, forgiveness, self-control, and honesty. 

Teaching the Parable of the Talents to kids is a meaningful way to help kids understand responsibility, faithfulness, and the wise use of God-given gifts. Bible-based ideas make this powerful story easy for children to grasp through printable lesson plans, engaging crafts, and hands-on activities that show how God calls each person to use what they have been given to honor Him and serve others.

WHAT IS A PARABLE?

A parable was a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because He connected them to people’s everyday lives. Parables can also be easier to remember than long speeches.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

The Parable of the Talents can be found in Matthew 25:14–30. It is also known as the Parable of the Three Servants.

In this parable, Jesus tells of a master who goes on a journey. Before leaving, he gives one servant five bags of money, another servant two bags of money, and a third servant one bag of money, each according to his ability. The first two servants put the money to work and earned five more bags and two more bags. The third servant dug a hole and hid his master’s money in the ground.

When the master returned, he settled accounts with the servants. The first two showed how the money had grown, and the master was pleased with them. The third servant explained that he hid the money, and the master was upset. The master took the bag of money from the third servant and gave it to the servant who had ten bags, and the unfaithful servant was punished.

Parable of the Talents - Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach kids about the Parable of the Talents? Be sure to check out our scripted lessons, discussion questions, and printable crafts. These resources are perfect for kids aged 3-8.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version)

Click here for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

In this parable, the word 'talent' refers to a specific amount of money. Scholars believe that a talent was about 50 pounds, but it could have weighed more! Talents are also special abilities that God has given us. God wants us to use the good gifts He has given us to help His Kingdom grow. 

We need to be like the first two servants in this parable, and not like the last servant who hid the money. God wants us to use our time, money, abilities, and intelligence to help people learn about Him. 

a treasure chest of talents

As we grow and get older, we will continue to discover our talents and gifts. It’s like God has put treasure inside us for us to discover! Some talents show up right away, and others will be discovered later. Our talents are treasures we can use to help God’s Kingdom. Kids will love this analogy!

Printable Treasure Chest for Preschool and Kindergarten

Make a printable treasure chest craft to help kids connect with this idea. Using the template pieces from The Parable of the Talents for Preschool, kids can assemble their paper treasure chest and decorate it with stickers, crayons, and the provided printable jewels. When they take their treasure chest home, it could spark great conversations in which kids share their talents with their families.

Print and Fold Treasure Chest for Bigger Kids

Older Kids will create a fold-out treasure chest to write or draw at least three talents God has given them. The template pieces can be found in The Parable of the Talents for Older Kids. After writing/drawing these ideas, kids can decorate their treasure chests with stickers, crayons, and the provided printable jewels. 

After doing the craft, remind kids that God wants us to use our gifts wisely. Our talents are valuable and can be used to serve God and bless others. 

OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

• Talent Coins: Brainstorm with kids about different talents that God has given them. This could be “I am kind”, “I am good at listening”, “I am good at soccer”, etc. Then have kids write these on small circular pieces of paper (to look like coins from the parable). Put these in an envelope that kids can decorate.

• Talent Gift Box: Purchase wooden or paper boxes from the Dollar Store. Have children decorate these boxes with paint, markers, stickers, glitter, etc. Next, have kids write some of their different talents on slips of paper. They can place these talents in the box as a reminder that they are a gift from God and should be used wisely.

• Grow Your Talents: Challenge kids to pick one talent they want to put into practice this week, something they want to get better at and use to glorify God. Help kids come up with a “game plan” to put their talent into action and practice.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

Take some time to watch a YouTube version of the Parable of the Three Servants. This will likely help kids visualize the story better. But before showing any videos, be sure to preview them. Here are a few suggestions:

• God’s Story: Parable of the Talents by Crossroad Kids’ Club

• Parable of the Three Servants by Saddleback Kids

• The Parable of the Talents by Douglas Talks

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the Parables of Jesus. The other lessons include The Parable of the Mustard Seed, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, and The Parable of the Great Banquet. 

And for more parable lessons, from an earlier parable series, check out Parable of Jesus for Older Kids and Parables of Jesus for Preschool.

Honesty is a foundational biblical character trait that helps children build trust, integrity, and strong relationships with others and with God. Teaching kids what honesty looks like through Scripture gives them a clear understanding of why telling the truth matters, even when it’s difficult. Keep reading to find engaging, Bible-based ideas that help children learn honesty through meaningful discussion, hands-on activities, and real-life application rooted in God’s Word.

How do you define honesty for kids?

Honesty is telling the truth, even when it’s hard. It’s human nature to want to avoid getting into trouble, so it’s often easier to lie instead of getting caught doing something wrong. We would prefer to take the easier road. Telling the truth can sometimes be hard, but honesty is an important godly character.

Honesty can be both the words we say and the actions we take. It’s easy to understand that what we say can either be the truth or a lie. If someone asks us a question, we should give them an honest answer. This means telling the truth.

Our actions must also be honest. For example, cheating on a test is dishonest because it does not reflect what we actually know. If you have a family rule about practicing the piano for 30 minutes every day, and you decide only to practice 20 minutes, this is dishonest, even if no one catches you shortening your practice time.

Honesty Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for an engaging way to teach children about the character trait of honesty? Use the Bible story of Ananias and Sapphira to help facilitate the learning. Our scripted lessons, printable crafts, and discussion questions are a great resource to help kids learn about this important character trait.

(Click HERE for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade version)

Click here for the kindergarten/1st grade version

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT honesty?

Honesty is important because it honors God and reflects His character. Honesty helps to build trust and integrity. People can rely on an honest person, and they will want to have a relationship with that person. When someone is dishonest, their integrity will be called into question and, likely, people won’t want to interact with them as often. 

God calls us to be honest. There are many verses about honesty in the Bible, including the following:

• Proverbs 12:22 – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

• Proverbs 12:19 - “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”

• Colossians 3:9 – “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”

• Ephesians 4:29 - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

For children, it is sometimes easier to recognize the value of honesty when they hear about what happens in a story where someone is dishonest. There are several stories in the Bible about people who chose to be dishonest. Adam and Eve lied to God in Genesis 3. There are two stories where Abraham lies about Sarah being his sister instead of his wife in Genesis 12:10-20 and again in Genesis 20:1-18. Another story of dishonesty was when Rebekah and Jacob tried to deceive Isaac in Genesis 27:1-29. 

HOW DO YOU TEACH KIDS ABOUT honesty?

Take time to teach children the definition of honesty and explore different examples of what honesty looks like. These examples can include stories from the Bible where people chose honesty (or didn’t choose honesty), as well as modern, real-life situations kids may face. 

Discuss these stories and scenarios, then apply the material by having children role-play situations in which they must demonstrate honesty. Use hands-on crafts and activities to help them engage with the topic. Then, before they head home, challenge them to practice honesty throughout the week.

HONEST SELF PORTRAITS project

In this simple art project, kids will create a self-portrait and a simple saying encouraging others to be honest. Give each child a basic body-shape outline, which can be found in both Honesty for Little Learners and Honesty for Older Kids, or allow children to draw their own.

Then have kids draw and color their self-portrait on top of the simple outline, adding clothing, facial features, hair, etc. If you have time, try adding a background!

When you are done, ask the kids to think of a simple phrase that they could say to a peer that might encourage them to be honest. An encouraging Bible verse could also work! Write this phrase in the speech bubbles provided and attach the speech bubble to the self-portrait using tape or a stapler. Display your self-portraits proudly!

Bible Sword Drill

Using a Sword Drill to introduce children to the Bible is an effective way to help them navigate the pages of Scripture and understand the relationships among the books of the Bible. A Sword Drill is a simple exercise in which children are given a verse to look up and then must search for it.

To help kids with this, show them where the Table of Contents is in the Bible. Then teach them how to locate the book in the Table of Contents, flip to the page, and search for the chapter and verse. At first, this will be a time-consuming and awkward task for kids to manage. There will be some hand-holding and guidance. But this is an important skill for kids to have, so fostering this skill is worth the time.

You’ll find printable cards  with the verses and lined pages for children to write the verses in the Honesty Bible Lesson for Older Kids.

BIBLE STORY about Honesty - Ananias and Sapphira

Bible stories are an effective means of teaching godly character traits. Take time to read a story about honesty, discuss it, and complete an activity that connects to the story. 

The story of Annanias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-11 centres around the theme of honesty. 

After reading the story, discuss the concept of honesty. Annanias and Sapphira chose to be dishonest to appear more important. They lied about the money they gave to the church so they could appear more generous than they really were. This resulted in some extreme consequences. While we likely won’t experience consequences like they did (death), dishonesty can be a dangerous thing. 

Next, do an activity to reinforce the learning. The Honesty Bible Lesson for Older Kids includes a printable reflection page where children can reflect on situations in which it might be hard to show honesty. 

The Honesty Bible Lesson for Little Learners includes a playful printable craft called “Honest Tea.” Children color and cut out two teacups: one labelled “Honest Tea,” and another with space to draw a situation where they can choose honesty. This simple craft encourages family conversations at home and helps kids remember that honesty is the best choice.

MORE Crafts and activities to teach about honesty

• Two Truths and a Lie: This is often used as a get-to-know-you game; however, this can be turned into a great learning opportunity. Instead of having your children come up with two truths and a lie, have them try to figure out the two truths and the lie about you. This will help keep the activity from getting too chaotic, as young children might make up some radical things. Come up with simple things to “lie” about, like what you ate for breakfast or what kind of car you drive. Then explain to kids that lies might sound realistic and believable at times, so when you find an honest friend, you can feel safe knowing that they are telling the truth.

• Lying Object Lessons: Over the Moon has a great object lesson about lying, involving salt and ice cream. In this object lesson, you sprinkle ice cream with salt and tell kids that you can cover the salty taste with other toppings. This is a valuable lesson: a lie doesn’t conceal the truth.

• Truth Traffic Light: A traffic light tells us to stop, slow down, and go. This can be a great analogy for truth-telling. When we are faced with lying versus telling the truth, we should think before we speak (yellow light), stop ourselves from telling a lie (red light), and tell the truth (green light). Create a simple traffic-light craft to serve as a visual aid. Check out Housing a Forest for a simple traffic-light craft using a popsicle stick and construction paper. And Crafting a Fun Life features a traffic-light craft using DIY puffy paint.

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE LESSONS ABOUT building godly character?

This lesson on contentment is part of a seven-part Character Education mini-series. Other lessons include contentment, kindness, courage, forgiveness, perseverance, and self-control. 

Teaching the Parable of the Mustard Seed to kids is a wonderful way to help them understand how God can use even the smallest faith to do big things. Simple, Bible-based ideas bring this short but powerful story to life through engaging lesson plans, hands-on craft ideas, and interactive activities that help children see how their faith can grow and make a difference in everyday life.

WHAT IS A PARABLE?

A parable was a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because He connected them to people’s everyday lives. Parables can also be easier to remember than long speeches.

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

The Parable of the Mustard Seed can be found in Matthew 13:31–32, Mark 4:30–32, and Luke 13:18–19. In this parable, Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his garden. Then it grew into a tree, and birds made homes in its branches.

Parable of the Mustard Seed Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for an easy and effective way to teach about the Parable of the Mustard Seed? Be sure to check out our scripted lesson, printable crafts, and discussion questions. Perfect for kids aged 3-8.

(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade version)

click here for the preschool/kindergarten version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. A mustard seed is very small. It's about the size of a grain of sand. Even though the seed is so small, it grows into a tall tree. Mustard trees usually grow between 6 and 12 feet tall. Sometimes, even as tall as 15-20 feet.

The Kingdom of God is anywhere God is King, so this isn’t a specific place.

God's Kingdom grows when more people join God's family. Small seeds of faith can grow into something big in God's Kingdom. These small acts might be telling someone about Jesus, serving others, forgiving someone, or showing kindness to someone. 

SEEDS OF FAITH - PRINTABLE CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL

Kids in preschool and kindergarten will decorate this printable jar and glue on real seeds to remind them of the parable.

A simple printable craft can serve as a great connecting activity when teaching Bible stories. Crafts can also serve as conversation starters at home, helping parents understand what their children are learning in class.

For this craft, kids will glue seeds onto a paper template of a jar. To start, kids will cut out and decorate their jar. Then give each child a few seeds to glue into their jar. They will also glue a printable verse onto the jar to remind them of the story. For template pieces, check out The Parable of the Mustard Seed for Preschool.

MUSTARD TREE CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

Older kids will create a visual recreation of the parable.

Older kids will enjoy painting a mustard tree using the template from The Parable of the Mustard Seed for Older Kids. Use a sponge or a pompom to have kids dab paint onto their tree. Once the paint is dry, add the paper nest and bird pieces to the tree. Kids can even glue a small seed to the base of the tree to remind them that seeds are very small, but grow into something big.

Be sure to help kids see that even small acts of faith can have a big impact on the Kingdom of God.

OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

• Salt Dough Seed Art: Make salt dough ornaments by pressing seeds of various sizes into the dough to create a pattern or picture. Use popcorn, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, etc. Then let kids get creative with their patterns and art. Make sure to put a hole in the salt dough before it dries so kids can string it and hang it as an ornament somewhere in their house. For a simple salt dough recipe, check out Yummy Toddler Food.

• Seed Mosaic: Check out First Palette for beautiful seed mosaic instructions. Kids will love creating pictures using paper, glue and seeds.

• Mustard Seed Visual: Compare various seeds so kids can see just how small a mustard seed is compared to others. Take this one step further and have kids glue various-sized seeds onto a piece of paper, then write the verse: “Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.” 

• Make Necklaces or bracelets: Find small beads and have kids string them into a necklace or bracelet. The small beads will serve as a visual reminder that even small steps of faith make a big difference. 

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

Even though this is a short parable, there is still value in watching a video about it. Be sure to preview any video you intend to show your kids. Here are a couple suggestions:

• God’s Story: Kingdom Parables by Crossroad Kids’ Club - This video explains what God’s Kingdom is. It also tells the Parable of the Mustard Seed, the Parable of the Seed, and the Parable of the Yeast. 

• The Parable of the Mustard Seed by Trueway Kids

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the Parables of Jesus. The other lessons include The Parable of the Talents, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, and The Parable of the Great Banquet. 

And for more parable lessons, from an earlier parable series, check out Parable of Jesus for Older Kids and Parables of Jesus for Preschool.

Teaching kids about contentment is an important component of Bible-based character education, helping them learn to be thankful and to trust God in every situation. There are many engaging, faith-filled ideas to teach contentment (and gratitude) to children through simple crafts, hands-on activities, and meaningful Bible lessons. Designed for parents, teachers, and children’s ministry leaders, these creative contentment activities make it easy to connect biblical truths with everyday life and help kids understand what it means to be satisfied with what God has given them.

How do you define contentment to kids?

Simply put, contentment is being thankful and satisfied with what you have and not wanting more. For example, contentment is playing with the toys you already have rather than wanting the newest toy your friend has. God has given us many good things, and God cares for our needs. Being content shows our gratitude to Him.

Contentment Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you searching for an engaging way to teach kids about the character trait of contentment? Use the Bible story of God Providing Manna in the Desert as a springboard for learning. Our scripted lessons, printable crafts, and discussion questions are a great resource to help kids learn about this important character trait.

(Click HERE for the kindergarten/1st grade version.)

Click here for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade version

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CONTENTMENT?

The Bible teaches that contentment and trust in God go hand in hand. We can be thankful and have peace because we know that God promises to always be with us and will provide for our needs. Here are some Bible verses that teach about contentment:

• Psalm 23:1 - “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

  • God provides for our needs. 

• Matthew 6:28-33 - In this passage of Scripture, Jesus teaches that we need not worry about clothing, food, or the future because God cares for us. This passage is about not worrying, but it can also be connected to contentment.

• Hebrews 13:5 - “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

  • Loving God is more important than having stuff.

• Philippians 4:11-13 - “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”

  • These verses teach us that Jesus helps us to be content. Contentment is something we can practice and cultivate.

HOW DO YOU TEACH KIDS ABOUT CONTENTMENT?

Take time to teach children the definition of contentment and examine different examples of contentment. This could be stories from the Bible in which people were content or not, or it could be modern real-life scenarios. Take time to discuss these stories and scenarios. Then, get really practical and have kids act out scenarios where they need to show contentment. Do crafts and activities to help them engage with the topic. Then, before they head home, challenge them to practice contentment throughout the week! 

NEEDS VS. WANTS: CUT AND PASTE FOR PRESCHOOL

A helpful way to start teaching about contentment is to examine the differences between needs and wants. Needs are necessities for survival, such as water, food, shelter, and love. Wants are things you want to have, but can live without, such as video games, dessert, or the newest Lego set. 

To help young learners distinguish between needs and wants, have them complete a simple cut-and-paste activity in which they glue pictures of their needs and wants onto a T-chart. You could use photos from a magazine, or you could use the printable version found in Contentment for Little Learners. 

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Gratitude journals are a great way to help kids think about all the blessings they have in their lives. This is often a practice around Thanksgiving, but reflecting on what we are thankful for is something we should practice throughout the year.

Take time to brainstorm ideas with your kids and then have them put their ideas into their gratitude journals. In Contentment Bible Lesson for Older Kids, you’ll find several journal options: lines, interlined, traceable words, and blank pages for pictures. This way, you can adapt the journal to meet your students’ needs.

In Contentment Bible Lesson for Little Learners, you’ll also find two versions: one with a sentence starter and then a blank space to finish the sentence, and one with traceable words so kids can trace and then draw a picture.

CONTENTMENT BIBLE STORY - Manna in the Desert

Bible stories are an effective means of reinforcing biblical character traits. Taking time to read a story about contentment, discussing it, and completing an activity that connects with the story is a great way to solidify learning. 

Exodus 16 recounts God's provision of manna in the Desert. Prior to this event, God had rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and yet, the Israelites were grumbling and complaining in the desert. God sent manna and quail to satisfy the people’s hunger, and even still, the Israelites continued to grumble and complain.

This story is a great springboard for conversations about contentment. Children can examine how the Israelites responded to God’s provision and then discuss what contentment could have looked like in this story.

After reading the story and discussing it, do an activity to reinforce the learning. Be sure to check out Contentment Bible Lesson for Older Kids for an activity in which kids draw a simple comic retelling the main parts of the story.

Check out Contentment Bible Lesson for Little Learners for an age-appropriate printable craft in which children create a scene of manna being provided each morning for the Israelites.

MORE CONTENTMENT BIBLE LESSON IDEAS

• Gratitude Jar: Give kids strips of paper and a mason jar. As they think of things they are thankful for, they can write their idea on a strip of paper and then place the strip in the jar. This is a visual reminder that our lives are full of blessings, just like the mason jar is full of strips of paper. 

• Balloon Bouncing: Get balloons in two different colors. Blow up several balloons in each of the two colors. Tell kids that one of the colors represents being thankful, and the other color represents complaining. Have children play a game in which they must keep the “thankful” balloons in the air and let the “complaint” balloons fall to the floor.

• A Backpack Illustration: Do a simple object lesson with kids where you fill a backpack with things you’ll need for a camping trip. Then ask kids if they need more things, or if the backpack has enough stuff in it. This is a great visual to show kids that we don’t need more than can fit.

• Contentment Bracelets: The Meaingful Mama has a cute Contentment Game. She encourages us to make bracelets with our kids which say, “Be Content”. Then challenge your kids to go a whole day without complaining. As soon as they complain, the bracelet is confiscated for a period, after which they may try again.

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE LESSONS ABOUT building godly character?

This lesson on contentment is part of a seven-part Character Education mini-series. Other lessons include courage, forgiveness, honesty, kindness, perseverance, and self-control.

Teaching kids the Parable of the Great Banquet is a meaningful way to help them understand God’s invitation, grace, and the joy of being welcomed into His kingdom. There are many creative, kid-friendly ideas to bring this powerful Bible story to life through printable lesson plans, hands-on crafts, and activities that help children grasp the message that God invites everyone to accept His invitation.

WHAT IS A PARABLE?

A parable was a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because He connected them to people’s everyday lives. Parables can also be easier to remember than long speeches.

THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET

The Parable of the Great Banquet can be found in Luke 14:15-24. Jesus teaches that a man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. When the time for the banquet came, the invited guests made excuses and did not come. The excuses sounded important, like getting married, buying new land, and buying new oxen.

But the master became upset when he heard this and sent his servant to invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame instead. When he discovered there was still room at the banquet, he invited even more people. And those who were originally invited did not get to come to the banquet.

The Parable of the Great Banquet for Kids

Are you looking for an easy and effective way to teach about the Parable of the Great Banquet? Be sure to check out our scripted lessons, printable crafts and discussion questions.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version!)

click here for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE GREAT BANQUET

In this parable, the master of the house represents God, and the feast represents God's kingdom. The people originally invited to the feast represent anyone who thought they were automatically part of God's Kingdom, not realizing they needed to accept the invitation first. This included many of the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Daily activities and excuses can distract us from accepting God's invitation. God's invitation to be part of His Kingdom is for everyone, and it’s important that we don’t miss it because we’re too busy and distracted.

INVITATIONS TO GOD’S KINGDOM CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Little kids will make postcard invitations as a reminder that they’re invited to God’s kingdom!

Receiving an invitation is really exciting, especially for preschoolers. Getting invited to a party is a huge deal!

Kids in preschool and kindergarten will be very familiar with the concept of an invitation, so take time to decorate invitations with crayons, stickers, glitter, and other materials.

These invitations are inviting people to join God’s Kingdom! Kids can keep the invitations as a reminder of the lesson, or give them out to a friend or neighbor.

For a printable template, check out The Parable of the Great Banquet for Preschoolers. 

SETTING THE TABLE PRINTABLE CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

Older kids will make this fun place setting craft.

A banquet is an incredible feast and requires preparation. One of the things that needs to be done before the banquet is setting the table. In this printable craft from The Parable of the Great Banquet for Older Kids, kids will use the template pieces to create a table setting. 

After kids create their craft, be sure to connect back to the story. Jesus taught that God invites everyone to be part of His Kingdom. Just as places are set at the table for guests, God is preparing a place for those who accept his invitation. 

OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT THE GREAT BANQUET

• Banquet Snack: Tell the story while sitting around a “banquet” snack. Set up a long table and, if possible, set it to look like a party. Then share a snack and tell the story. 

• Banquet Table Scene: Use a roll of paper and cut a piece to be the length of a table. Tape the paper to a long table, then have kids work together to draw various foods that might be at the banquet. 

• Banquet Relay: Create relay races that connect to preparing or attending the banquet. Kids can race to carry items like paper plates, napkins, or pretend food to a table, or run one at a time to the table as “guests” arriving at the banquet.

• Excuses, Excuses: Have kids brainstorm excuses that someone might make when they don’t want to go to a party. Then have a conversation about how God has invited us into His Kingdom, and we don’t want to make excuses.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET

Using videos is a great way to bring Bible stories to life for kids, especially those who learn best by seeing. Always take a moment to watch the videos beforehand to ensure they are suitable for your group. Below are a couple of helpful options to consider:

• Saddleback Kids’ The Parable of the Great Banquet

• God’s Story: Parable of the Banquet by Crossroad Kids’ Club

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the Parables of Jesus. The other lessons include The Parable of the Talents, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, and The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. 

And for more parable lessons, from an earlier parable series, check out Parable of Jesus for Older Kids and Parables of Jesus for Preschool.

Teaching courage to kids is about more than helping them be brave—it’s about showing them how to trust God when they feel afraid, unsure, or challenged. Through Bible-based character education, children can learn that true courage comes from knowing that God is with them, as He was with David, Esther, Daniel, and many others throughout Scripture. There are many meaningful ways to teach courage using hands-on crafts, engaging activities, and ready-to-use printable lesson plans that help children connect biblical truth to everyday situations and grow in faith-filled confidence.

How do you define courage to kids?

Courage is choosing to bravely do what is right, even if you are afraid. Courage does not mean that fear is completely gone. You are allowed to be scared and still show courage. Courage isn’t a feeling; it’s a choice. For example, you might be afraid to tell your mother the truth, but you choose to show courage and tell her. Or you can choose to show courage when you stand up to someone who is being mean to a classmate.

Courage Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you seeking an engaging way to teach children about the character trait of courage? Use the Bible story of David and Goliath to help facilitate the learning. Our scripted lessons, printable crafts, and discussion questions are a great resource to help kids learn about this important character trait.

(Click HERE for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade version!)

Click Here for the kindergarten and 1st grade version

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT COURAGE?

We will face many circumstances in our lives that require courage. As Christians, we are called to live differently from the world around us. This often leads to misunderstanding or judgment because our actions differ from others'. Courage is an important trait because it will help us when we face uncertainty.

There are many verses in the Bible about courage, including some famous (and frequently quoted) verses. Here are a few:

• Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

• Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

• Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?

• 2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

There are also numerous accounts of individuals who demonstrated courage,including:

• David, when he faced Goliath.

• Esther, when she entered the king’s throneroom without an invitation.

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when they refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue.

• Mary, when an angel told her she would give birth to God’s Son.

• Peter, when he was thrown into prison.

• Jesus, when he died on the cross for our sins.

HOW DO YOU TEACH KIDS ABOUT COURAGE?

Take time to teach children the definition of courage and examine different examples of courage. This could be stories from the Bible in which people were courageous, or it could be modern real-life scenarios. Take time to discuss these stories and scenarios. Then, get really practical and have kids act out scenarios where they need to show courage. Do crafts and activities to help them engage with the topic. Then, before they head home, challenge them to practice courage throughout the week! 

Bible Story about courage - david and goliath

Bible stories are an effective means of teaching biblical character traits. Take time to read a story about courage, discuss it, and complete an activity to solidify learning. 

The story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 1:7, is an excellent story to pair with the character trait of courage.

After reading the story, discuss the concept of courage. Kids can compare how the Israelites responded to Goliath and how David responded to Goliath’s challenge. David was just a boy, yet he trusted God more than the grown men in the army.

After reading the story and discussing it, do an activity to reinforce the learning. Have kids do a writing activity where they write or draw pictures about ways God helps them have courage. For a page appropriate for kindergarten and 1st grade, check out Courage Bible Lesson for Little Learners. For a printable journal page, check out Courage Bible Lesson for Older Kids.

For more ideas on teaching the story of David and Goliath to kids, click here.

I Do Not have to be afraid, Foldable Craft.

Crafts need not be complicated to have an impact on children. Even a simple printable and foldable craft can help kids connect with a lesson and remind them that their courage comes from God!

Brainstorm things that God gives them the courage to do. This could include telling the truth, inviting a new friend to play, attending school when they feel nervous, or performing on stage in front of people. Then have the children draw a picture of or write about how God can help them to be brave.

Younger kids will enjoy this simple foldable church craft found in Courage Bible Lesson for Little Learners. There are two pieces to this craft that kids will cut out and glue together so they open like a book. On the front, it reads “I do not have to be afraid because…,” and on the second page, it reads “God is with me!”

For older children, see the Courage Bible Lesson for Older Kids for a foldable craft more appropriate for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade children. In this version, kids will write and draw a picture of something they can do. These will be on the outside of the foldable craft. Then, on the inside is a page that reads “...because God gives me courage!”

MORE Crafts and activities to teach about courage

• Faith Stones: Have children paint rocks and write phrases such as “Courage,” “Trust,” and “God is always with me” on the rocks. David used stones when he went up against Goliath. These stones can serve as a reminder that God is always with us, too.

• Courageous Bible Character Charades: For children who know Bible stories well, play a game of charades with different courageous Bible characters as the items the children have to act out. Notable examples include Esther, Jesus, Paul, Peter, Stephen, David, Daniel, and Ruth.

• Courage Bracelets: Make simple bracelets with letter beads and let kids spell out a word like “brave”, “courage”, “trust,” or “faith” to remind them that God is always with them.

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE LESSONS ABOUT building godly character?

This lesson on courage is part of a seven-part Character Education mini-series. Other lessons include contentment, kindness, forgiveness, honesty, perseverance, and self-control. 

Teach children the powerful message of love, compassion, and kindness through the Parable of the Good Samaritan, using engaging, age-appropriate ideas that bring this timeless Bible story to life. There are many meaningful ways to guide kids in understanding what it means to love their neighbor, show mercy to others, and live out their faith through everyday actions, using hands-on lessons, creative activities, and thoughtful discussion rooted in Scripture.

WHAT IS A PARABLE?

A parable was a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because He connected them to people’s everyday lives. Parables can also be easier to remember than long speeches.

THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

The parable of the Good Samaritan appears in Luke 10:25-37. Jesus taught this parable in response to a man asking Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told this story. A Jewish man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Along the way, he was beaten, robbed, and left by the side of the road.

Soon, a priest came by, but passed the man on the other side of the road. Later, a Levite came along and also passed the injured man on the other side of the road. Finally, a Samaritan came by. He took pity on the man. He cared for the man’s wounds, put him on a donkey, and brought him to an inn, where he cared for the man. The next morning, he gave the innkeeper two coins and asked him to care for the man, promising to reimburse any extra expenses. 

The Good Samaritan Bible Lessons for Kids

If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to teach about the Good Samaritan, be sure to check out our scripted lessons, printable crafts and discussion questions.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version!)

click here for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE GOOD SAMARITAN

When Jesus told this story, it would have been a surprise that the priest and Levite didn’t help the man, yet the Samaritan did. Priests and Levites were religious leaders and had a duty to help people. But these men made excuses instead of helping. Samaritans, on the other hand, were enemies of the Jews. Jewish people went out of their way to avoid Samaritans. So the fact that it was a Samaritan would have been shocking.

This story is a powerful reminder that God calls us to love ALL people, not just our friends. We are to show love and kindness to everyone. This includes people who look different, act differently, and people who don’t like us.

BOX OF KINDNESS CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

Older kids will build a small box to hold bandages full of kindness ideas!

Take time to brainstorm realistic ways kids can show love and care to their neighbors. These could be everyday things that happen at school, home, or the playground. For example, helping someone who is hurt, inviting someone to play if you see they are alone, or sharing your cookie with a sibling.

Then turn these brainstormed ideas into a visual reminder by creating a Kindness Box. Kids will cut out and assemble the bandage box and write different ways to show love on each bandage. This printable craft, included in the Parable of the Good Samaritan for Older Kids, serves as a reminder to act like the Good Samaritan.

BANDAGE HIM UP CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Younger kids will add bandages to a picture of the man on the road and talk about ways to love their neighbors.

Doing an activity with Band-Aids is a great way for little learners to connect with the story of the Good Samaritan. There is something about peeling and sticking Band-Aids that captures preschoolers' hearts. After reading the story of the Good Samaritan, give children a printable version of the injured Jewish Man, which you can find in The Parable of the Good Samaritan for Preschoolers.

Then give the kids Band-Aids to stick over the man. If you would prefer, there are also printable Band-Aids that kids can cut out and paste onto the man. 

While this activity is simple, it can be a powerful reminder of showing kindness and love to those around us. Encourage the children to draw a picture of something that they can do to show love to their neighbor.  

ACT IT OUT FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Many kids enjoy acting out stories and moving around when a story is being told. Having kids act out the parable of the Good Samaritan will also help solidify the story in their memories.

Read the story of the Good Samaritan from your children’s Bible, or use the script provided in The Parable of the Good Samaritan for Preschoolers. As you read, ask kids to do the actions for each moment in the story. Getting kids’ bodies up and moving is a great way to help the story ‘stick’ in their minds.

OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT THE GOOD SAMARITAN

• For more ideas about teaching the Good Samaritan, check out Kindness Bible Lessons for Kids.

• Good Samaritan Obstacle Course: Create a simple obstacle course using materials in your room. Then put stuffed animals or figures in the obstacle course. Kids have to collect the stuffed animals or figures while they go through the obstacle course. Connect this to the parable: stopping to help isn’t always convenient.

• Helping Hands Craft: Have kids trace their hands (as many as they would like). Write ideas on each hand for how they can show kindness and love to those around them. Then glue the hands onto a large piece of paper so the kids can take it home more easily.

• The Road to Jericho Game: Use painter’s tape to make a road on the ground. Then have kids line up on one end of the road. Put a stuffed animal or figure on the side of the road to be the injured Jewish man. If you say, “stop to help”, the kids have to stop and help the injured man. If you say, “cross to the other side”, the kids have to move to the other side of the road and pass by.

• Kindness Challenge Jar: Write some ideas of how to show kindness on slips of paper, and then put them all in a jar. At the start of the week, have kids pull one of the papers and challenge them to do that act of kindness at some point throughout the day or week.

videos to teach the parable of the GOOD SAMARITAN

Watching videos can be an effective way to help kids learn Bible stories, especially for visual learners. Be sure to preview any videos you intend to show to ensure they are age-appropriate. Here are some suggestions:

• Saddleback Kids’ The Good Samaritan

• God’s Story: The Good Samaritan by Crossroad Kids’ Club

• The Good Samaritan by The Beginners Bible

• VeggieTales: The Good Samaritan
  

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-lesson series on the Parables of Jesus. The other lessons include The Parable of the Talents, The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, and The Parable of the Great Banquet. 

And for more parable lessons, from an earlier parable series, check out Parable of Jesus for Older Kids and Parables of Jesus for Preschool.