Single lesson
Forgiveness, Faith and Service
Luke 17:1–6
Jesus teaches his disciples about causing others to stumble, forgiving a person who repents, and faith like a mustard seed. This lesson helps children notice how these ideas fit together in Luke 17:1–6.
Before you teach
In this passage, Jesus speaks directly to the disciples. He first warns about causing stumbling, then tells them to be careful about sin and forgiveness, and then answers the apostles when they ask for increased faith. The whole reading stays focused on how disciples should respond to others and trust the Lord’s word.
Students will be able to name Jesus’ three instructions in Luke 17:1–6 and explain one practical way to forgive, avoid causing harm, or trust him in a hard situation.
Welcome: Three big ideas in one short passage
5 minIntroduce the lesson by saying that Jesus gives three linked teachings here: do not lead others into stumbling, forgive a person who repents, and understand faith rightly. Ask children to listen for those three ideas as you read Luke 17:1–6 aloud slowly. Write the words stumble, forgive, and faith where everyone can see them.
Luke 17:1, Luke 17:3, Luke 17:5, Luke 17:6
Read and explain: Stumbling and forgiveness
8 minRead verses 1–4 again. Explain that Jesus says stumbling will come, but he gives a serious warning to anyone who causes it. Then he tells the disciples to be careful. If a brother sins, they should rebuke him, and if he repents, they should forgive him, even repeatedly in one day.
Luke 17:1, Luke 17:2, Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4
Discuss: Why did the apostles ask for more faith?
7 minRead verses 5–6. Point out that the apostles respond to Jesus by saying, “Increase our faith.” Jesus answers with the picture of a mustard seed and a sycamore tree. Stay close to the passage: Jesus teaches that even faith as small as a mustard seed is significant. Discuss how his answer follows the hard command to forgive.
Luke 17:5, Luke 17:6
Make and respond: Reminder card for a hard moment
7 minChildren choose one line from the passage to summarise on a small card, such as “Be careful”, “forgive him”, or “Increase our faith”. They add a simple drawing or symbol and share one realistic example, like forgiving a classmate who says sorry or being careful not to trip someone up by their words.
Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4, Luke 17:5
Closing: Say the lesson back from the text
3 minReview the three parts of the passage in order. Ask children to tell you what Jesus warns against, what he commands when someone repents, and what he says about faith. Finish by reminding them that this lesson comes from Jesus’ words to his disciples in Luke 17:1–6.
Luke 17:1, Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4, Luke 17:6
Questions to explore
What does Jesus warn about in the opening verses?
Look closely at the repeated word “stumble” and notice that Jesus gives a serious warning about causing “little ones” to stumble.
Luke 17:1, Luke 17:2
What are the two things Jesus says to do when a brother sins and then repents?
Verse 3 says to rebuke, and both verses 3 and 4 say to forgive if the person repents, even when it happens again.
Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4
How does Jesus answer the request, “Increase our faith”?
He points to faith like a mustard seed and uses the picture of a sycamore tree obeying the command.
Luke 17:5, Luke 17:6
Make, think or respond
Mustard Seed Message Cards
What you’ll need
- small pieces of card or paper
- pencils or pens
- crayons or markers
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Luke 17:3–6 together and let each child choose one short phrase from the passage.
- Write the phrase on a card in large letters.
- Add a simple picture, such as a seed, a tree, or two people talking after a wrong is admitted.
- Ask each child to say one realistic moment when that verse could help them.
- Take the card home or keep it in a bag as a reminder.
The card helps children remember Jesus’ words about forgiveness, careful living, and faith in Luke 17:3–6.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer only two phrase choices to copy and let them explain their example out loud instead of writing a full sentence.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to compare verses 3–4 with verses 5–6 and explain why the apostles may have asked for more faith at that point.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “Lord Jesus, please help us be careful with others, forgive when someone truly repents, and trust you with faith, even when obedience feels hard. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Luke 17
1 He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come!
2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
3 Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.
4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.