Single lesson
The Widow Gives Two Small Coins
Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4
Jesus watched people giving money at the treasury and pointed out one poor widow. This short account helps children notice the order of events, compare different kinds of giving, and think carefully about what Jesus says matters.
Before you teach
In both Mark and Luke, Jesus is near the treasury and watches people putting gifts in. The passage mentions many rich people giving much, then one poor widow giving two small coins. Jesus calls attention to her gift and explains why he says she gave more.
Students will be able to retell the account in order and explain from the passage that Jesus measures these gifts by what was left, not only by the amount given.
Welcome: What did Jesus notice?
5 minShow two piles of coins or counters, one large and one tiny. Ask children which pile looks bigger. Then explain that in this Bible account Jesus watched people giving at the treasury and noticed more than the size of the gift. Today the class will sequence what happened and listen closely to Jesus’ words.
Mark 12:41, Luke 21:1
Read and order the account
8 minRead Mark 12:41-44 slowly, then read Luke 21:1-4. Help children list the events in order: Jesus watched, rich people gave much, a poor widow gave two small coins, Jesus called his disciples, and Jesus explained her gift. Point out that both accounts mention the same two small coins and Jesus’ explanation.
Mark 12:41, Mark 12:42, Mark 12:43, Mark 12:44, Luke 21:1, Luke 21:2, Luke 21:3, Luke 21:4
Explain the choices and Jesus’ words
6 minTalk about the words abundance and poverty. In this passage, the rich gave from abundance, meaning they still had plenty left. The widow gave from poverty, and Jesus says she gave all she had to live on. Keep the focus on what Jesus says in the text about these gifts.
Mark 12:43, Mark 12:44, Luke 21:3, Luke 21:4
Make and respond: Sequence coin cards
7 minChildren make four simple sequence cards showing the main steps of the account. As they draw, prompt them to label each card with a short phrase such as rich people gave much or widow gave two coins. When finished, they place the cards in order and explain which verse matches each card.
Mark 12:41, Mark 12:42, Mark 12:43, Mark 12:44
Closing: What can we say from this passage?
4 minReview the sequence together and ask children to finish this sentence: Jesus said the poor widow gave more than all the others. Explain that this is because the others gave from abundance, while she gave all she had to live on. Close by thanking children for listening carefully to Jesus’ explanation.
Mark 12:43, Mark 12:44, Luke 21:3, Luke 21:4
Questions to explore
What are the main events in order in this account?
Look for who Jesus saw first, what the widow did next, and when Jesus spoke to explain her gift.
Mark 12:41, Mark 12:42, Mark 12:43, Mark 12:44
How many coins did the widow give, and how is she described?
Use the verses that call her a poor widow and say she cast in two small brass coins.
Mark 12:42, Luke 21:2
Why does Jesus say the widow gave more than all the others?
Base your answer on Jesus’ contrast between giving out of abundance and giving all she had to live on.
Mark 12:44, Luke 21:4
Make, think or respond
Four-Step Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or textas
- scissors
- coins or counters
Try it together
- Draw four boxes or cut four cards from paper.
- In each box, draw one part of the account: Jesus watching, rich people giving, the widow giving two coins, and Jesus explaining.
- Write a short label on each card and place the cards in the correct order.
- Use coins or counters to retell the account aloud with a partner or group.
This activity helps children sequence the account and connect each step with Jesus’ explanation about abundance and poverty.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-draw four boxes and let them add simple pictures while you reread each verse slowly.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to compare the wording in Mark 12:43-44 and Luke 21:3-4 and explain the same main point using both accounts.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord Jesus, thank you that you see people clearly. Please help us listen carefully to your words and understand what this passage teaches.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Mark 12
41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
42 A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
43 He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Luke 21
1 He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.
2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
4 for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”
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.
