Single lesson
The Rich Fool
Luke 12:13–21
Jesus told this parable after a man asked him to settle an inheritance problem. The lesson helps children notice the question behind the parable and explain what Jesus says about possessions, greed and being rich toward God.
Before you teach
In this passage, a man asks Jesus to tell his brother to divide an inheritance with him. Jesus refuses to act as an arbitrator, then warns the crowd about covetousness. He tells a parable about a rich man with abundant crops, bigger barns and a foolish plan for life.
Students will be able to describe the inheritance request, retell the parable in order, and state that Jesus teaches life is not measured by possessions and warns against laying up treasure only for oneself.
Welcome: What started the conversation?
5 minAsk children to listen for the problem that came first. Read Luke 12:13-15 aloud. Point out that one man wanted Jesus to settle a family inheritance matter. Jesus did not take the role of judge here. Instead, he warned everyone to beware of covetousness and said life is not made of possessions.
Luke 12:13, Luke 12:14, Luke 12:15
Read and explain: The rich man’s plan
7 minRead Luke 12:16-19 slowly. Explain that this is a parable, an illustration Jesus told. The land produced abundantly, and the rich man focused on storing crops and goods for himself. Notice how often his plan is about what he will do with his own things, and how he speaks to his soul about ease.
Luke 12:16, Luke 12:17, Luke 12:18, Luke 12:19
Discuss: Why does Jesus call him foolish?
6 minRead Luke 12:20-21. Help children see the turning point. God says the man’s soul is required that very night, and asks whose the stored things will be. Jesus then gives the meaning: a person can lay up treasure for himself and yet fail to be rich toward God.
Luke 12:20, Luke 12:21
Make and respond: Barns and hearts contrast
8 minChildren make two simple pictures on one sheet: a big barn on one side and the words rich toward God on the other. Under the barn, list things the man stored. On the other side, write one response that matches Jesus’ warning, such as resisting covetousness or remembering that life is not possessions.
Luke 12:15, Luke 12:18, Luke 12:21
Closing: Say the lesson clearly
4 minReview the passage in order: the inheritance request, Jesus’ warning, the abundant crop, the bigger barns, God’s words, and Jesus’ conclusion. Invite each child to finish this sentence aloud: ‘Jesus teaches that life does not consist in possessions.’ Close by repeating the phrase rich toward God.
Luke 12:13, Luke 12:15, Luke 12:18, Luke 12:20, Luke 12:21
Questions to explore
What request did the man make to Jesus, and how did Jesus answer before telling the parable?
Look carefully at the first three verses to see both the inheritance request and Jesus’ warning to the crowd about covetousness.
Luke 12:13, Luke 12:14, Luke 12:15
What was the rich man planning to do with his abundant crops and goods?
Trace his own words and actions in order, from having no room to store crops to building bigger barns and telling his soul to relax.
Luke 12:17, Luke 12:18, Luke 12:19
According to Jesus, what makes the rich man foolish?
Use God’s question about the things prepared and Jesus’ final sentence about laying up treasure for oneself and not being rich toward God.
Luke 12:20, Luke 12:21
Make, think or respond
Barns and Hearts Fold Picture
What you’ll need
- paper
- pencils or pens
- crayons or coloured pencils
- optional scissors
- optional glue
Try it together
- Fold a sheet of paper in half or divide it into two panels.
- On one side, draw the rich man’s bigger barns and add labels such as crops, grain or goods from the passage.
- On the other side, write the words rich toward God and copy or paraphrase Jesus’ warning that life does not consist in possessions.
- Share with a partner how the two sides are different and which side matches Jesus’ teaching.
- If time allows, add one everyday choice that resists covetousness.
The contrast between the two panels helps children see the difference between storing up goods for oneself and hearing Jesus’ warning about life, covetousness and being rich toward God.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, give three picture prompts to sequence orally: inheritance request, bigger barns, God’s question. Let them answer in short phrases.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to find repeated first-person words in the rich man’s speech and explain how that supports Jesus’ warning.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: Lord God, please help us listen to Jesus, beware of covetousness, and remember that life does not consist in possessions. Teach us to be rich toward you. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Luke 12
13 One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
15 He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”
16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly.
17 He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’
18 He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’
21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.