Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: people figures (Jesus and children), dolls, playhouse or simple “park/church” set.
- Table: coloring page of Jesus with children and crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear that Jesus loves children.”
- “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me.’”
- “Jesus loves you and wants you close to Him.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 2 – This Little Light Of Mine
Song 3 – “Let the Children Come”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“Let the children come,
Come to Jesus’ side.
He will hold them, love them all,
Arms are open wide.”
Motions: motion “come” with hands, hug self on “hold them, love them,” spread arms wide on “open wide.
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 2 – This Little Light Of Mine
Song 3 – “Let the Children Come”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“Let the children come,
Come to Jesus’ side.
He will hold them, love them all,
Arms are open wide.”
Motions: motion “come” with hands, hug self on “hold them, love them,” spread arms wide on “open wide.
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use: Jesus figure, several “disciple” figures, several “children” figures.
a) Disciples try to stop the children
Place Jesus sitting, with disciples beside Him and children a bit away.
b) Jesus welcomes the children
Move Jesus forward toward the children; move disciples aside.
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Point up (Jesus) and spread arms toward the group on “loves children.”
Point to self and hug on “Jesus loves me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) Disciples try to stop the children
Place Jesus sitting, with disciples beside Him and children a bit away.
- “The Bible tells us that some people were bringing their little children to Jesus. They wanted Jesus to touch them, pray for them, and bless them.”
- “Jesus’ friends, the disciples, thought Jesus was too busy. They told the people not to bring the children. They tried to stop the children from coming to Jesus.”
b) Jesus welcomes the children
Move Jesus forward toward the children; move disciples aside.
- “When Jesus saw this, He was not happy. He said, ‘Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them.’ Jesus wanted the children to come close.”
- “Jesus took the children in His arms. He put His hands on them and blessed them. He showed that He loves children very much.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “Jesus loves children. Jesus loves me.”
Motions:
Point up (Jesus) and spread arms toward the group on “loves children.”
Point to self and hug on “Jesus loves me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
c) Jesus connection (for them now)
Gently gesture to the kids in your circle.
“Jesus still loves children today. He loves you when you are big or small, happy or sad. He wants you to come to Him in prayer, in songs, and when you listen to Bible stories. You are important to Jesus.”
“Jesus says you can come to Him anytime. He never says, ‘Go away.’ He says, ‘Come to Me.’”
Gently gesture to the kids in your circle.
“Jesus still loves children today. He loves you when you are big or small, happy or sad. He wants you to come to Him in prayer, in songs, and when you listen to Bible stories. You are important to Jesus.”
“Jesus says you can come to Him anytime. He never says, ‘Go away.’ He says, ‘Come to Me.’”
Craft – “Jesus and Me”
Goal: A simple picture showing Jesus with children, emphasizing personal love (“Jesus loves me”).
Steps
When finished, have children hold up their pictures and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper with Jesus in the center (printed or drawn) or write “Jesus” and draw a simple figure.
- Invite them to draw themselves next to Jesus (you can say, “Draw you holding Jesus’ hand”).
- Let them add other children around Jesus if there’s time.
- Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus loves children. Jesus loves me.”
- Add heart stickers or draw hearts around Jesus and the children.
- Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
“Your picture shows Jesus with children. One of the children is you. Jesus welcomed children, held them, and blessed them. Jesus loves all children, and He loves you very much. When you look at this picture, remember: ‘Jesus loves children. Jesus loves me.’”
When finished, have children hold up their pictures and say:
- “Jesus loves children. Jesus loves me.”
Supplies
- Paper with a simple picture of Jesus in the middle, or blank paper where you draw/write “Jesus” first.
- Space for the child to add themselves and other children.
- Crayons/markers.
- Optional: heart stickers.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus loves children. Jesus loves me.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Children repeat after you:
