Jesus Helps Others Feel Happy
Children's church (3-6) · leader guide · Anchor: Matthew 17:24-27· preview
From the sermon Tax Time!
Leader Notes
Duration: 5 minutes
Tone: Warm, gentle, and simple. Use a calm storytelling voice. If a child gets restless, invite them to stand and do the motions with you, or ask them to help you 'act out' being kind.
Main Idea: Jesus chose to be kind and help others feel happy, even when He didn't have to. We can be kind too!
Story Time: Jesus and the Coin in the Fish
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, 'Does your teacher not pay the tax?' He said, 'Yes.' And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, 'What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?' And when he said, 'From others,' Jesus said to him, 'Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.' (Matthew 17:24-27)
Read aloud to the children:
'One day, some people came to Peter and asked if Jesus paid a special tax — like money to help take care of God's house. Peter said yes! But then Jesus told Peter something special: We don't have to pay it, but we will anyway so no one feels sad or confused. Then Jesus told Peter to go fishing, and guess what? Inside the fish's mouth was a coin! Jesus used that coin to pay the tax. Jesus was kind even when He didn't have to be.'
Motion Activity: Being Kind Like Jesus
Say to the children:
'Let's pretend to be kind like Jesus! When I say Jesus was kind, let's put our hands on our hearts. When I say We can be kind too! let's reach out our hands like we're giving someone a hug.'
Practice together 2-3 times, then say:
'Jesus was kind!' (Children put hands on hearts.)
'We can be kind too!' (Children reach out hands.)
Simple Question
Ask the children:
'Can we be kind to others even when it's hard?'
Expected answer: Yes!
Leader note: If a child says 'no' or seems unsure, gently say, 'Jesus helps us be kind! We can ask Him to help us.'
Coloring Page Prompt
Say to the children:
'Now you can draw a picture of someone being kind — maybe helping a friend, sharing a toy, or giving a hug!'
Leader note: Provide crayons and blank paper. Circulate and affirm their drawings warmly ('I love how kind that looks!').