Jesus Shares and Cares
Children's church (3-6) · member guide · Anchor: Matthew 17:24-27· preview
From the sermon Tax Time!
Story Time: Jesus and the Fish with a Coin
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)
One day, some men asked Peter, 'Does Jesus pay the temple tax?' Peter said, 'Yes!' When Peter went inside, Jesus said, 'Peter, do I really have to pay? I am God's Son!' But then Jesus said something kind: 'I don't want anyone to be upset. Let's pay it anyway.'
Jesus told Peter to go fishing. Peter caught a fish, and guess what? Inside the fish's mouth was a shiny coin! It was enough money to pay for Jesus AND Peter. Jesus chose to be kind and share, even when He didn't have to.
Let's Move!
Stand up and do these motions with me:
- Pretend to cast a fishing rod! (swing your arm)
- Reel in the fish! (turn your hand round and round)
- Open the fish's mouth! (open your hands wide)
- Find the shiny coin! (hold up your hand like you're holding something special)
- Give it away with a smile! (pretend to hand it to someone)
Think About It
Jesus was kind even when He didn't have to be. He didn't want anyone to be sad or confused.
Question: Can you be kind and share, even when you don't have to?
(Grown-ups, let your child answer 'yes' or 'no' — there's no wrong answer! Talk about how Jesus helps us be kind.)
Color and Remember
Draw a picture of Peter holding a fish with a coin in its mouth!
(Grown-ups: give your child crayons and paper. While they color, remind them that Jesus always chooses to be kind and caring, and He helps us do the same.)