Epiphany Sunday School Lesson for Kids
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Matthew 2:1-12
An interactive 45-minute lesson on Matthew 2:1-12. Children walk the wise men's journey, hear how they worshipped Jesus, make a Star of Worship craft, and learn Matthew 2:10 (KJV).
Memory verse
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2:10, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell in order how the wise men followed the star, met Herod, found Jesus and gave gifts.
- Explain that the wise men worshipped Jesus as King and that Jesus is for people everywhere.
- Choose one way to give Jesus their love and worship this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Look at the Sky! (5 min)
Setup: Hang the big star at the front of the room.
Say: Good morning! Has anyone ever looked at the night sky and seen a bright star?
Let children share for one minute.
Say: Today we meet men who saw a special star and went on a long trip because of it.
Say: Some people celebrate this story on Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. Background: Epiphany means "showing." It remembers Jesus being shown to people far away.
Teach the verse with motions. Say each phrase and have children repeat:
- "When they saw the star," (point up)
- "they rejoiced" (hands up, wiggle fingers)
- "with exceeding great joy." (big smile, arms wide)
Repeat twice.
Say: Now let's hear what happened.
Bible Story: The Wise Men Come (8 min)
Read or tell Matthew 2:1-12 from the KJV, using the actions below. Children stay in their seats.
1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the king. Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. (Shade eyes, look far away.)
2. They asked, "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." (Point up.)
3. King Herod heard and was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Frown.)
4. Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes. They said the Christ would be born in Bethlehem, as the prophet had written. (Open hands like a book.)
5. Herod called the wise men privately and sent them to Bethlehem. He said, "Bring me word, that I may come and worship him also." (Walk fingers on your lap.)
6. The star went before them until it stood over where the young child was. They rejoiced with exceeding great joy! (Arms up.)
7. In the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother. They fell down and worshipped him. (Bow heads.)
8. They opened their treasures and gave gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Hold out open hands.)
9. God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home another way. (Trace a new path in the air.)
Say: Let's explore what this story teaches us.
Teaching: A King Worth Worshipping (7 min)
Say: The wise men came from far away, but they wanted to find Jesus and worship Him.
Ask: Who was already king in this story? (Herod.) Say: Herod heard about a new King and was troubled. The wise men heard about Him and came to worship.
Say: The Bible tells us three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. It does not tell us how many men came.
Show the gift box and let children look at the pretend gifts.
Background: Tradition says gold points to Jesus as King, frankincense to worship, and myrrh to His suffering for us. Keep this brief.
Say: Jesus is not only for one family or one country. People from far away came to worship Him.
Say: The wise men gave Jesus their best treasures. We can give Jesus our love, our thanks and our obedience.
Check: Quick recall. Hold up one finger for each question and let children call out answers.
- What led them? (A star.)
- What did they do when they saw Jesus? (Fell down and worshipped.)
- Which way did they go home? (Another way.)
Say: Now let's follow the star ourselves!
Game: Follow the Star Journey (7 min)
Setup before class: Tape a walking path around the room with three stops: Jerusalem, the Star Road, Bethlehem. Mark each with a sign. Clear the floor of obstacles.
Steps:
1. Choose a child to carry the big star at the front. Everyone else follows in a single line, walking only (no running). Swap carriers at each stop.
2. At Jerusalem, stop. Read: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" Children repeat it together.
3. On the Star Road, walk slowly while the group says the memory verse together. Walk again and whisper it.
4. At Bethlehem, everyone sits or kneels, as is comfortable. Pass the gift box. Each child names one gift they could give Jesus today (a song, thanks, kindness).
5. Say: "Now go home another way!" Walk back to seats by a different route.
Time: about 7 minutes. Anyone who prefers can walk beside a teacher or carry the star.
Craft: My Star of Worship (8 min)
Safety: Scissors and small paper scraps. Supervise closely and collect scraps.
Setup before class: Cut a sample star and pre-cut star shapes for younger children. Put supplies on tables.
Steps:
1. Cut or take a yellow star.
2. Write or draw one way you can give Jesus your best this week (pray, share, be kind, say thank you).
3. Write the verse reference, Matthew 2:10, on the back.
4. Decorate the star with crayons.
5. Tape a loop of yarn to the top so it can hang at home.
Say: Hang your star where you will see it. Let it remind you to worship Jesus, our King.
Say: Now let's talk about what we learned.
Time: about 8 minutes. Help with writing as needed.
Talk Time (5 min)
Sit in a circle. Ask each question and take one or two answers.
1. Why did the wise men go to Jerusalem? (They wanted to find the King and worship Him.)
2. How did Herod feel about the news? How did the wise men feel? (Herod was troubled. The wise men rejoiced with great joy.)
3. What did the wise men do when they saw Jesus? (They fell down, worshipped Him and gave Him gifts.)
4. What is something you can give Jesus because He is King? (Our love, thanks, obedience, a kind act.)
5. Why is it good news that people from far away came to worship Jesus? (Jesus is for everyone.)
Say: Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Closing: Prayer and Joyful Verse (5 min)
Say: Let's say our verse together one more time, with the motions.
Repeat twice, once loudly and once in a whisper.
Say: Let's pray. Repeat each line after me.
- "Dear Jesus, you are our King."
- "Thank you for coming to the world for everyone."
- "Help us to worship you with joy."
- "Show us how to give you our best this week."
- "In your name, amen."
Say: Take your star home and tell your family about the wise men. Remember, they went home another way, and so can you.
Hand out take-home sheets at the door.
Materials
- KJV Bible
- Large yellow paper star (taped to a stick or held up)
- Yellow construction paper
- Child-safe scissors
- Crayons or markers
- Tape
- Yarn or string
- Small gift box with 3 pretend gifts (yellow paper coin, cotton ball, brown paper scrap)
Teacher notes
- Stay close to the text. The Bible does not give the number or names of the wise men, so avoid adding them as fact. Say "Tradition says" if children ask.
- Safety: Craft uses scissors and small paper scraps. Supervise, use child-safe scissors, and collect scraps. No food is used.
- Adaptation: Use pre-cut stars for children who struggle with scissors. Let anyone who prefers quiet walk beside a teacher in the game or hold the gift box. Pair younger children with a buddy.
- Some children may know Three Kings Day traditions from home. Welcome their stories briefly and bring them back to the Bible text.
Send it home with parents
Today we learned how wise men followed a star to find Jesus. They worshipped Him as King and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Children made a Star of Worship to remind them to give Jesus their best.
- Why do you think the wise men were so full of joy when they saw the star?
- What is one way you can worship Jesus this week?
Read Matthew 2:1-12 together. Hang the star in a window. Then take turns naming one thing each person can give Jesus, such as thanks, a song or a kind act.
Each day this week, say the memory verse and thank Jesus for one thing. Then do one kind act as your gift to Him.
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