Free Bible lesson for kids · Holy Week
The Widow’s Two Mites
In the temple during His last week, Jesus watched people put money in the treasury. Rich men gave much, but a poor widow gave two mites, all she had. Jesus said she gave more than them all.
- Bible passage
- Mark 12:41–44 · Luke 21:1–4
- Big idea
- God sees the heart behind our giving.
- Memory verse
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mark 12:43 (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
One day Jesus was teaching in the temple. He sat across from the treasury, where people put in their offerings (Mark 12:35, 41). He watched how they gave, and many rich people put in a lot (Mark 12:41; Luke 21:1). Then a poor widow came, a woman whose husband had died. She put in two mites, two tiny coins that together made a farthing (Mark 12:42).
Jesus called His disciples to Him. He said this poor widow “hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury” (Mark 12:43). The others gave out of what they had left over, but she gave out of her need. She “did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:44). Her gift was tiny, but Jesus said she had given more than them all (Luke 21:3–4).
Read it in the Bible: Mark 12:41–44 (KJV)
41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Read it in the Bible: Luke 21:1–4 (KJV)
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Questions to ask
Where was Jesus sitting?
Over against the treasury in the temple.
How much did the widow give?
Two mites, which make a farthing: all that she had.
Why did Jesus say she gave the most?
The others gave out of their abundance; she gave all her living.
What this story teaches
- Jesus notices even the smallest gifts we give (Mark 12:42–43).
- The LORD looks at the heart, not the outside (1 Samuel 16:7).
- God accepts a willing gift, even if it is small (2 Corinthians 8:12).
- God loves people who give with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- In God’s eyes, a small gift can be the greatest (Luke 21:3).
Jesus Gave His All
The widow gave all she had. Jesus gave even more: He was rich, yet He became poor for us, so we could become rich through Him.
2 Corinthians 8:9
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Give God our whole hearts. |
|---|---|
| 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: “God sees the heart behind our giving.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Mark 12:43 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 · about 8 minutes
Two Mites Drop
You need: A jar, two pennies for each child, a line on the floor
- Each child stands at the line with two pennies.
- Take turns tossing them into the jar.
- For every coin that lands in, the child names something they can give to God: time, a smile, a helping hand.
The widow gave two small coins, all that she had. Jesus said she gave more than all the rich people.
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 10 minutes
Secret Blessing
You need: Everyone’s names on slips of paper in a bowl
- Everyone draws a name and keeps it secret.
- This week, do something kind for that person without them finding out: a note, a snack, a prayer, a helping hand.
- Next week, try to guess who blessed you.
The widow didn’t give to be seen. God sees what we give in secret.
Pray
Give God our whole hearts.