Single lesson
Jesus Welcomes Children: Children Matter
Matthew 19:13–15; Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17
In this lesson, children will see that people brought little children and even babies to Jesus, the disciples tried to stop them, and Jesus clearly welcomed them. The passage also shows what Jesus said about receiving God’s Kingdom.
Before you teach
These verses appear in three Gospel accounts. In each one, people bring little children to Jesus so he may touch them, pray, or bless them. The disciples rebuke those bringing the children, but Jesus corrects them, welcomes the children, and teaches about God’s Kingdom.
Students will be able to describe the disciples’ response, Jesus’ welcome of children, and one thing Jesus taught about God’s Kingdom from these verses.
Welcome: Who was trying to come to Jesus?
5 minBegin by asking children who was brought to Jesus in these verses. Read that little children were brought to him, and Luke also mentions babies. Explain that the people wanted Jesus to touch them, pray, or bless them. This helps children notice that these were very young ones and that people wanted Jesus near them.
Matthew 19:13, Mark 10:13, Luke 18:15
Read and explain: What did the disciples do, and what did Jesus say?
8 minRead the accounts aloud. Point out that the disciples rebuked the people who were bringing the children. Then show Jesus’ response. He told them to allow the little children to come and not forbid or hinder them. Mark says Jesus was moved with indignation, showing that he strongly opposed stopping the children.
Matthew 19:13, Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:13, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:15, Luke 18:16
Discuss: What does Jesus say about God’s Kingdom?
7 minTalk about Jesus’ words, ‘God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these’ and ‘whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child’ will not enter it. Stay close to the text: Jesus uses little children to teach about receiving God’s Kingdom. Ask children to repeat his words and notice what he says about who belongs to the Kingdom and how it is received.
Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, Mark 10:15, Luke 18:16, Luke 18:17
Make and respond: Create a welcome display
7 minMake a simple class display that says, ‘Allow the little children to come to me.’ Children can add drawn hands, hearts, or figures of children around the words. As they work, remind them that this craft is our response to the passage. The Bible text itself shows Jesus welcoming children and blessing them.
Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, Mark 10:16, Luke 18:16
Closing: What happened when the children came?
3 minFinish by reviewing the ending of the story. Jesus did not send the children away. He laid his hands on them, took them in his arms in Mark’s account, and blessed them. Invite each child to say one true sentence from the passage about Jesus, the children, or the disciples.
Matthew 19:15, Mark 10:16
Questions to explore
What were the disciples doing when people brought little children and babies to Jesus?
Look for the repeated action in all three accounts: the disciples rebuked the people who were bringing the children.
Matthew 19:13, Mark 10:13, Luke 18:15
What exact words did Jesus use to tell the disciples how to treat the children?
Find Jesus’ command: ‘Allow the little children to come to me’ and ‘don’t forbid’ or ‘don’t hinder them’.
Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16
Besides welcoming the children, what did Jesus teach about God’s Kingdom?
Read the verses where Jesus says God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these and that it must be received like a little child.
Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17, Matthew 19:14
Make, think or respond
Welcome Words Display
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- markers or crayons
- scissors
- tape or glue
Try it together
- Write the words ‘Allow the little children to come to me’ on a large sheet of paper.
- Give each child a small piece of paper to draw a child, a heart, or a pair of hands.
- Cut out the drawings and attach them around the words.
- Read the verse together and let children explain how the display matches the passage.
This activity helps children remember that Jesus welcomed little children and did not want them hindered from coming to him.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, shorten the discussion and let them repeat one sentence from Jesus: ‘Allow the little children to come to me.’
- For older children, compare the three accounts and ask them to list details each writer includes, such as prayer, babies, or Jesus taking the children in his arms.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: ‘Lord Jesus, thank you that you welcomed little children. Please help us listen to your words and treat others with the same welcome.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 19
13 Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
15 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
Mark 10
13 They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
15 Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
16 He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Luke 18
15 They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
17 Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
