What did Jesus do with the children?

He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.

Free Bible lesson for kids · On the Way to Jerusalem

Jesus Blesses the Children

Parents brought their little children to Jesus, but the disciples tried to send them away. Jesus was displeased, took the children in His arms and blessed them.

Teach this lesson: film, sheets and guide Print the coloring page

Bible passage: Mark 10:13–16 · Matthew 19:13–15 · Luke 18:15–17
Big idea: Jesus loves children and wants them to come to Him.
Memory verse: But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14 (KJV)
Ages: Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
Time: About 45 minutes
Included, free: Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game

The story

People brought little children, even babies, to Jesus so He would touch them and pray for them (Matthew 19:13; Luke 18:15). But the disciples scolded the people who brought them (Mark 10:13). When Jesus saw it, He was “much displeased” (Mark 10:14). He called the children to Him (Luke 18:16). He told the disciples to let the little children come to Him, “and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

Then Jesus said that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17). Jesus took the children up in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16). After He laid His hands on them, He went on His way (Matthew 19:15). The disciples had tried to send the children away, but Jesus wanted them near.

Read it in the Bible: Mark 10:13–16 (KJV)

¹³And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁵Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Read it in the Bible: Matthew 19:13–15 (KJV)

¹³Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. ¹⁵And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Read it in the Bible: Luke 18:15–17 (KJV)

¹⁵And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁶But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁷Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Questions to ask

Who tried to keep the children away?
The disciples.
How did Jesus feel about that?
He was much displeased.
What did Jesus do with the children?
He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.

What this story teaches

Jesus loves children and wants them to come to Him (Mark 10:14).
No one should keep children from coming to Jesus (Luke 18:16).
We must receive God’s kingdom like a little child (Mark 10:15).
Jesus welcomes children who are brought to Him (Matthew 19:13–15).
Jesus gives His blessing to those who come to Him (Mark 10:16).

Jesus Never Turns Us Away

Jesus welcomed the children when others tried to send them away. He promises that He will never turn away anyone who comes to Him.

John 6:37

A 45-minute lesson plan

5 min	Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank Jesus that He loves children.
10 min	The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next.
10 min	Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Jesus loves children and wants them to come to Him.” What does that mean for us?
5 min	Memory verse. Say Mark 10:14 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone.
10 min	Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions).
5 min	Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week.

Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.

Game time

For kids · game · indoors or out · about 8 minutes

May I Come?

You need: Two leaders

The kids line up at one end. One leader is Jesus at the other end, and one is a grumpy disciple in the middle.
Kids take turns asking, “Jesus, may I come?” The disciple sometimes says, “Not now!”, but Jesus always answers, “Yes! Take three giant steps!”
When a child reaches Jesus, they get a high five and a blessing.

Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” Jesus always has time for you.

For youth group · activity · indoors · about 30 minutes

Lead the Little Ones

You need: Time with the younger kids’ class, games from this page

Pick a game from this lesson or another and practice leading it.
Visit the younger kids’ class and run it for them, with a short Bible point.
Talk afterward: what did it feel like to be the one who welcomes?

Jesus welcomed children when others sent them away. You can be the one who welcomes them.

Pray

Thank Jesus that He loves children.