Single lesson
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
Matthew 4:12–17; Luke 4:14–15
Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee with a clear message and a clear setting. This lesson helps children notice where he went, what Matthew highlights about it, and what Jesus started preaching.
Before you teach
In these verses, Jesus goes to Galilee after hearing that John was delivered up. Matthew says Jesus left Nazareth and lived in Capernaum, and links this move with words spoken through Isaiah. Luke adds that Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, taught in synagogues, and was praised by all.
Students will be able to name Jesus’ main message in these verses and explain how his move to Galilee is connected with the passage around it.
Welcome: Spot the big change
4 minBriefly introduce today’s passage by asking children to listen for three things: where Jesus goes, what people hear about him, and the main thing he says. Explain that these verses show the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, including both his movement and his message. Read the references aloud together.
Matthew 4:12, Matthew 4:13, Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:14, Luke 4:15
Read and explain: From Nazareth to Galilee
8 minRead Matthew 4:12-17 and Luke 4:14-15. Point out that Jesus withdrew into Galilee, left Nazareth, and lived in Capernaum. Luke says he returned in the power of the Spirit. Matthew then explains that this location mattered because it matched what was spoken through Isaiah about people seeing a great light.
Matthew 4:12, Matthew 4:13, Matthew 4:14, Matthew 4:15, Matthew 4:16, Luke 4:14
Discuss: Light, teaching and the message
6 minHelp children trace the passage in order. First, news about Jesus spread. Next, he taught in the synagogues and was glorified by all. Then focus on Jesus’ own preaching words: “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus calls people to repent. You may explain repentance as turning around or changing direction, while making clear that this wording is an explanation, not a quotation from these verses.
Luke 4:14, Luke 4:15, Matthew 4:17
Make and respond: Reminder card
8 minChildren choose one key line from the passage, such as “a great light” or “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” They make a small reminder card with the verse reference on one side and a simple drawing or sentence about what it teaches on the other. Encourage them to keep the wording close to the text.
Matthew 4:16, Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:15
Closing: Say the message clearly
4 minFinish by inviting children to say in one sentence what Jesus began to preach and in one sentence where this happened. Re-read Matthew 4:17 slowly. Remind them that Matthew connects Jesus’ move into Galilee with the words about a great light dawning, and that these verses show the beginning of his public teaching there.
Matthew 4:13, Matthew 4:16, Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:14, Luke 4:15
Questions to explore
What did Jesus begin to preach in Matthew 4:17?
Look for the exact words Jesus says and repeat them as the main message of the passage.
Matthew 4:17
Which places are named when Jesus moved into Galilee?
Find the verses that say he withdrew into Galilee, left Nazareth, and lived in Capernaum.
Matthew 4:12, Matthew 4:13
How do Matthew and Luke each help us understand this beginning of Jesus’ ministry?
Matthew highlights the great light and Jesus’ preaching, while Luke adds that Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit and taught in synagogues.
Matthew 4:16, Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:14, Luke 4:15
Make, think or respond
Galilee Message Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or coloured pencils
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Matthew 4:16-17 aloud again.
- Ask each child to choose one key phrase from the passage.
- Fold a small piece of paper in half to make a card.
- Write the chosen phrase and reference on the front, then draw or write one sentence about what it teaches inside.
- Invite children to show their card and explain why they chose that verse.
This activity helps children remember two main ideas in the passage: Matthew connects Jesus’ move into Galilee with the words about a great light dawning, and Jesus begins preaching, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two verse choices only: Matthew 4:16 or Matthew 4:17, and let them respond mostly with drawing.
- For stronger readers, ask them to compare one detail Matthew includes with one detail Luke includes and add both references to their card.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: “Lord Jesus, thank you for this passage about your teaching in Galilee. Please help us listen carefully to your words and remember the message you began to preach. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 4
12 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.
13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Luke 4
14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.