Single lesson
The Lost Coin
Luke 15:8–10
Jesus told a short parable about a woman who lost one coin out of ten. In this lesson, children explore why she searched so carefully and what Jesus says the story means.
Before you teach
In Luke 15:8–10, Jesus tells a parable about a woman, a lost drachma coin, a careful search, and a joyful celebration when the coin is found. Jesus then explains the main point by speaking about joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner repenting.
Students will be able to explain that in this parable Jesus compares the woman’s joy over finding her lost coin with the joy over one sinner repenting.
Welcome: Notice what gets searched for
5 minShow a coin or small object and ask what people do when something important is lost. Introduce the parable by saying Jesus asked about a woman who had ten drachma coins and lost one. Explain that a parable is an illustration Jesus told to teach something important.
Luke 15:8
Read and explain: The careful search
7 minRead Luke 15:8 slowly. Point out the woman had ten drachma coins, lost one, lit a lamp, swept the house, and searched diligently until she found it. Explain diligently as carefully and persistently. Help children notice how much effort she gave to finding one lost coin.
Luke 15:8
Discuss: The joyful response
6 minRead Luke 15:9 and ask why the woman called her friends and neighbours. Guide children to see that she wanted others to share her joy because what was lost had been found. Compare this with ordinary moments when people celebrate finding something valuable.
Luke 15:9
Make and respond: Lost coin scene
8 minChildren make a simple scene of the house search or create a large paper coin. As they work, read Luke 15:10 and explain that Jesus gives the meaning of the parable: there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting. Connect the craft to the idea of joyful finding.
Luke 15:10
Closing: Say the main teaching clearly
4 minReview the order of the parable: one coin lost, careful searching, coin found, joy shared, then Jesus’ explanation. Invite each child to finish a sentence such as, “This parable teaches that...” Help them answer using Jesus’ own words about joy over one sinner repenting.
Luke 15:8, Luke 15:9, Luke 15:10
Questions to explore
What actions show that the woman did not give up looking for the lost coin?
Look closely at the verbs in the parable: she lit a lamp, swept the house, and sought diligently until she found it.
Luke 15:8
Why did the woman call her friends and neighbours together?
Her words give the reason plainly: she wanted them to rejoice with her because she had found the coin that was lost.
Luke 15:9
According to Jesus, what does the joy in the story help us understand?
Jesus explains the comparison in verse 10 by speaking about joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.
Luke 15:10
Make, think or respond
Shiny Coin Search Scene
What you’ll need
- paper
- pencils or crayons
- scissors
- aluminium foil or a real coin
- glue
Try it together
- Draw a simple house room on paper and add a lamp and a sweeping brush.
- Make a coin by drawing a circle or covering a paper circle with foil.
- Hide the coin somewhere in the picture, then swap with a partner to find it.
- After finding it, say together, “Rejoice with me, for I have found it.”
The activity helps children remember the woman’s careful search, her joy when the coin was found, and Jesus’ explanation of joy over one sinner repenting.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, keep the explanation simple by repeating the story order with actions: lost, search, found, rejoice.
- For older children, ask them to compare verse 9 and verse 10 and explain how Jesus moves from the picture story to its meaning.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray, “Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us through this parable. Please help us understand the joy you describe over one sinner repenting. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Luke 15
8 “Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’
10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
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.
