Single lesson
Jesus Teaches with Authority
Matthew 7:28–29
This lesson helps children notice how the crowd reacted when Jesus finished speaking. They will observe two clear ideas in the verses: the people were astonished, and Jesus taught with authority.
Before you teach
In these two verses, Matthew reports what happened after Jesus had finished saying these things. The passage describes the multitudes’ response to his teaching and gives the reason for that response.
Students will be able to describe the crowd’s response by saying that the multitudes were astonished because Jesus taught with authority.
Welcome: Notice the response words
4 minInvite children to listen for two important ideas in the passage: how the people responded and what was different about Jesus’ teaching. Explain that today they are looking closely at just two verses and finding the exact words Matthew uses about the crowd and about Jesus.
Matthew 7:28, Matthew 7:29
Read and explain: Astonished and authority
8 minRead the verses aloud twice. Point out that the multitudes were “astonished at his teaching”. Explain that astonished means deeply surprised or amazed. Then notice the reason given in the next verse: Jesus taught “with authority”. The passage also says his teaching was not like the scribes.
Matthew 7:28, Matthew 7:29
Discuss: What does the passage actually say?
6 minAsk children to answer from the words of the verses. Who was astonished? What were they astonished at? Why does verse 29 say this happened? Keep bringing them back to the text so they learn to support their answers from Scripture rather than from guesses.
Matthew 7:28, Matthew 7:29
Make and respond: Authority reminder card
8 minChildren make a small card with the words “Jesus taught with authority” on one side and “The multitudes were astonished” on the other. Encourage them to add simple symbols such as a speech bubble or exclamation mark. As they work, have them say which phrase comes from which verse.
Matthew 7:28, Matthew 7:29
Closing: Say the main idea together
4 minFinish by repeating the lesson aim together: the crowd’s response was astonishment, and the reason given is that Jesus taught with authority. Invite a few children to read one verse each or to complete the sentence stem, “According to Matthew 7:28 and Matthew 7:29, the multitudes were astonished because ...”
Matthew 7:28, Matthew 7:29
Questions to explore
In Matthew 7:28, who was astonished, and what were they astonished at?
Look for the subject and the object in the verse: it says the multitudes were astonished at Jesus’ teaching.
Matthew 7:28
What reason does Matthew 7:29 give for the crowd’s response?
The verse answers with the word “for”: they were astonished because Jesus taught with authority.
Matthew 7:29
What contrast is made at the end of Matthew 7:29?
Read the final words carefully and notice that Jesus’ teaching is contrasted with the scribes.
Matthew 7:29
Make, think or respond
Two-Sided Verse Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or markers
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Cut or fold paper into a small card.
- Write “The multitudes were astonished” on one side.
- Write “He taught with authority” on the other side.
- Decorate each side with simple symbols that match the words.
- Take turns reading the side and naming its verse.
The card helps children remember the two main observations in the passage: the crowd’s response in Matthew 7:28 and the reason in Matthew 7:29.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, provide the two phrases for copying and practise saying them aloud together with actions for “astonished” and “authority”.
- For older children, ask them to explain how verse 29 gives the reason for verse 28 by noticing the word “for”.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank you for your teaching. Help us listen carefully to what you say and remember that you taught with authority. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 7
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
29 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.