Free Bible lessons for kids · 16 lessons
Bible lessons from Matthew for kids
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King: His birth, His teaching on the mount, His miracles, His death and resurrection, and the Great Commission.
16 Bible stories, one subject: the book of Matthew. Teach them as a series or one at a time; each lesson has its film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and game, all free.
- Lessons
- 16 (of 20 from Matthew)
- Passages
- Matthew 1:18–25, Matthew 2:1–12, Matthew 2:13–23, Matthew 3:1–12, Matthew 3:13–17, Matthew 4:1–11, and more
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
The lessons: 16 stories about the book of Matthew
An Angel Speaks to Joseph
Matthew 1:18–25 · story film
Joseph learned that Mary was going to have a baby. An angel came to him in a dream and told him the Child was from the Holy Ghost, and that His name would be Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins.
Big idea: Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us.
Memory verse:
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:23 (KJV)Ask: How did the angel speak to Joseph? In a dream.
Game: Joseph, Arise! (about 8 minutes)
Wise Men Follow the Star
Matthew 2:1–12 · story film
Wise men from the east saw His star and came to Jerusalem; then the star went before them to Bethlehem. They found the young child with Mary in a house, worshipped Him, and gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Big idea: Jesus is worthy of our worship and our best gifts.
Memory verse:
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:2 (KJV)Ask: What led the wise men? His star, which they saw in the east.
Game: Follow the Star (about 10 minutes)
Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2:13–23 · story film
An angel warned Joseph in a dream that King Herod wanted to harm Jesus. Joseph rose that night and took Mary and the young child to Egypt, and later God brought them home to Nazareth.
Big idea: God protects and guides His people.
Memory verse:
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2:15 (KJV)Ask: Who wanted to harm the young child? King Herod.
Game: Quiet Night Journey (about 8 minutes)
John Prepares the Way
Matthew 3:1–12 · Mark 1:1–8 · Luke 3:1–18 · story film
John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, calling people to repent and be baptized in the Jordan River. He told them that One mightier than he was coming.
Big idea: Getting ready for Jesus means turning from sin.
Memory verse:
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Matthew 3:3 (KJV)Ask: Where did John preach? In the wilderness of Judaea.
Game: Make the Path Straight (about 10 minutes)
Jesus Is Baptized
Matthew 3:13–17 · Mark 1:9–11 · Luke 3:21–22 · story film
Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized by John. As He came up out of the water, the Spirit of God came down like a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke.
Big idea: God the Father loves His Son, and He is well pleased with Him.
Memory verse:
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:17 (KJV)Ask: Which river was Jesus baptized in? The Jordan.
Game: Keep the Dove Flying (about 8 minutes)
Jesus Is Tempted
Matthew 4:1–11 · Luke 4:1–13 · story film
After forty days in the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus three times. Each time Jesus answered with the Word of God, and the devil left Him.
Big idea: God’s Word helps us say no to temptation.
Memory verse:
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4 (KJV)Ask: How long was Jesus in the wilderness? Forty days and forty nights.
Game: It Is Written! (about 10 minutes)
Jesus Calls Matthew
Matthew 9:9–13 · Mark 2:13–17 · Luke 5:27–32 · story film
Jesus saw Matthew, a tax collector, sitting at his work and said, “Follow me.” Matthew left everything and made Jesus a great feast, and many publicans and sinners sat with them.
Big idea: Jesus came for sinners like us.
Memory verse:
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 9:13 (KJV)Ask: What was Matthew’s job? He collected taxes (a publican).
Game: Follow Me! (about 8 minutes)
The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1–16 · Luke 6:20–23 · story film
Jesus went up on a mountain and taught His disciples what it means to be blessed: the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers.
Big idea: God blesses those who know they need Him.
Memory verse:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (KJV)Ask: Where did Jesus teach this sermon? On a mountain.
Game: Blessed Stops (about 10 minutes)
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:5–15 · Luke 11:1–4 · story film
Jesus taught His disciples not to pray to be seen by others, but to talk to their Father in heaven, and He gave them a pattern for prayer.
Big idea: We can talk to God as our Father.
Memory verse:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9 (KJV)Ask: Who did Jesus say we pray to? Our Father which art in heaven.
Game: Prayer Hand (about 12 minutes)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
Matthew 7:24–29 · Luke 6:46–49 · story film
Jesus told of a wise man who built his house on a rock and a foolish man who built on the sand. When the storm came, only the house on the rock stood.
Big idea: Hearing and doing Jesus’ words makes our lives strong.
Memory verse:
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Matthew 7:24 (KJV)Ask: Where did the wise man build? Upon a rock.
Game: Rock or Sand? (about 8 minutes)
The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:1–23 · Mark 4:1–20 · Luke 8:4–15 · story film
Jesus told a story about seed that fell on the wayside, on stony places, among thorns and on good ground. Only the seed on good ground brought forth fruit.
Big idea: Let God’s Word grow in a good heart.
Memory verse:
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Luke 8:15 (KJV)Ask: What does the seed stand for? The word of God.
Game: Good Soil Toss (about 10 minutes)
Jesus Walks on the Water
Matthew 14:22–33 · Mark 6:45–52 · John 6:15–21 · story film
In the night Jesus came to the disciples walking on the sea. Peter walked on the water to Him, but when he saw the wind he was afraid and began to sink. Jesus caught him.
Big idea: Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Memory verse:
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Matthew 14:27 (KJV)Ask: How did Jesus come to the boat? Walking on the sea.
Game: Stepping Stones (about 10 minutes)
Peter’s Great Confession
Matthew 16:13–20 · Mark 8:27–30 · Luke 9:18–21 · story film
Jesus asked His disciples who people said He was, and then, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Big idea: Everyone must answer: who is Jesus?
Memory verse:
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:16 (KJV)Ask: What question did Jesus ask His disciples? “Whom say ye that I am?”
Game: Who Am I? (about 10 minutes)
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1–13 · Mark 9:2–13 · Luke 9:28–36 · story film
Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. His face shone like the sun, Moses and Elias appeared, and a voice from a bright cloud said, “Hear ye him.”
Big idea: Jesus is God’s glorious Son, so we listen to Him.
Memory verse:
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Matthew 17:5 (KJV)Ask: Which three disciples went up the mountain? Peter, James and John.
Game: Up the Mountain (about 10 minutes)
The Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:1–11 · Mark 11:1–11 · Luke 19:28–44 · John 12:12–19 · story film
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt. A great multitude spread their garments and branches in the way and cried, “Hosanna to the son of David.”
Big idea: Jesus is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Memory verse:
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Matthew 21:9 (KJV)Ask: What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? A colt, the foal of an ass.
Game: Palm Path Relay (about 10 minutes)
The Crucifixion and Resurrection Story
Matthew 26–28 · Mark 14–16 · Luke 22–24 · John 18–20 · story film
Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, carried His cross to Golgotha, and was crucified. He was buried in a new tomb, and on the first day of the week an angel rolled back the stone: He is risen.
Big idea: Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
Memory verse:
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6 (KJV)Ask: Where did Jesus pray before He was arrested? At the mount of Olives, in the garden called Gethsemane.
Game: Empty Tomb Egg Hunt (about 15 minutes)
8 weeks of lessons on the book of Matthew
| Week 1 | An Angel Speaks to Joseph (Matthew 1:18–25). Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Wise Men Follow the Star (Matthew 2:1–12). Jesus is worthy of our worship and our best gifts. |
| Week 3 | Escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:13–23). God protects and guides His people. |
| Week 4 | John Prepares the Way (Matthew 3:1–12). Getting ready for Jesus means turning from sin. |
| Week 5 | Jesus Is Baptized (Matthew 3:13–17). God the Father loves His Son, and He is well pleased with Him. |
| Week 6 | Jesus Is Tempted (Matthew 4:1–11). God’s Word helps us say no to temptation. |
| Week 7 | Jesus Calls Matthew (Matthew 9:9–13). Jesus came for sinners like us. |
| Week 8 | The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–16). God blesses those who know they need Him. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Verses to learn: the book of Matthew
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:23 · An Angel Speaks to Joseph
“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:2 · Wise Men Follow the Star
“And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Matthew 2:15 · Escape to Egypt
“For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
Matthew 3:3 · John Prepares the Way
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 · Jesus Is Baptized
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4 · Jesus Is Tempted
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Matthew 9:13 · Jesus Calls Matthew
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 · The Beatitudes
Questions people ask
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King: His birth, His teaching on the mount, His miracles, His death and resurrection, and the Great Commission.
Which Bible stories teach the book of Matthew?
An Angel Speaks to Joseph (Matthew 1:18–25), Wise Men Follow the Star (Matthew 2:1–12), Escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:13–23), John Prepares the Way (Matthew 3:1–12), Jesus Is Baptized (Matthew 3:13–17), and 11 more on this page.
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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