Jesus Blesses the Little Children: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Mark 10:13-16
Children hear how Jesus welcomed and blessed the children people brought to him, then play, craft, and pray, learning that Jesus calls them to come and that they can welcome others.
Memory verse
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:16, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell the story of Jesus welcoming the children in the order Mark tells it.
- Explain that Jesus welcomes children and wants them to come to him.
- Choose one way to welcome someone this week, as Jesus welcomes us.
The full lesson plan
Welcome In! (5 min)
Setup: Stand at the door and greet each child by name.
Say: Good morning! I am so glad you came today.
Ask: How does it feel when someone is really glad to see you? (Happy, special.)
Ask: How does it feel when someone says, 'Not now, go away'? (Sad, left out.)
Say: Today we will hear about a time when Jesus was very glad to see some children.
Quick game, 2 minutes: Everyone stands. Teach a 'welcome wave' with a big smile and a friendly 'Come in!' Each child waves to three friends, walking, not running.
Say: Now let's open our Bibles and hear what happened.
The Story: Mark 10:13-16 (7 min)
Setup: Children sit close. Read the verses from the Bible, then retell with the actions below.
Say: Listen for who stops the children and who welcomes them.
Retell in order:
1. They brought young children to Jesus so that he would touch them. (Hold out your hands, as if bringing someone.)
2. The disciples rebuked those who brought them. (Hold up a 'stop' hand.)
3. Jesus saw it and was much displeased. (Shake your head slowly.)
4. He said, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.' (Wave 'come here'.)
5. He said that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it. (Open hands to receive.)
6. He took the children up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Hug yourself.)
Say: Jesus did not send the children away. He called them to come.
Say: Now let's think about what this means for us.
Jesus Says, 'Come!' (7 min)
Say: The disciples tried to stop the children from coming. Jesus said, 'Do not stop them.'
Say: Jesus is the King, and he made time for children. Nobody is too small or too young to come to him.
Point 1: Jesus wants you. He called the children to come, and he calls you too.
Point 2: Jesus blesses. He took the children in his arms and blessed them. (Ask: What did Jesus do with his arms? Hands? Answer: held them, touched them, blessed them.)
Point 3: We receive the kingdom like a child. A child does not earn a gift. A child just takes it with open hands. Say: Jesus gives us a place with God as a gift. We trust him and say yes.
Show it: Hold a pencil as a 'gift'. Ask a child to receive it with open hands. Say: That is how we come to Jesus, with open hands and trusting hearts.
Say: Now let's play a game to show what we heard.
Disciples or Jesus? (7 min)
Setup before class: Tape the 'Disciples' sign on one wall and the 'Jesus' sign on the opposite wall. Leave a clear walking path.
Steps:
1. Children stand in the middle.
2. Read a line from the story.
3. Children WALK to the sign of who did it.
4. Ask: Where in the story did you hear that? Check with the Bible.
5. Return to the middle and repeat.
Lines (answer in brackets):
- Rebuked those who brought the children. (Disciples)
- Was much displeased. (Jesus)
- Said, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me.' (Jesus)
- Took the children up in his arms. (Jesus)
- Blessed the children. (Jesus)
Finish: Say: Who welcomed the children? Jesus! Everyone walk to the 'Jesus' sign and give a cheer.
Time: 7 minutes. Safety: walking only, no pushing.
Welcome Card Craft (8 min)
Safety: Scissors are used. Supervise closely. Check for any allergies to markers or paper materials and ask parents first if unsure.
Setup before class: Fold each sheet of cardstock in half like a card. Write the verse where all can see it.
Steps:
1. Trace your own hand on the front of the card with a pencil. Fingers may reach the fold.
2. Color the hand and decorate around it.
3. Inside, write or copy: 'Jesus welcomes you!' and 'Mark 10:16'.
4. Add a name: 'To: ______'. (Choose someone to give it to this week.)
5. Helpers may cut out the hand shape if the child wishes, with adult help.
Say: Jesus' hands blessed the children. Your card can bless someone too.
Time: 8 minutes. Early finishers can practice the memory verse with a partner.
Talk About It (5 min)
Sit in a circle. Ask the questions, and let a few children answer each one.
1. Why do you think the disciples tried to stop the children? (The Bible does not say. They may have thought Jesus was too busy. Don't guess too far.)
2. How did Jesus feel when he saw it? (He was much displeased.)
3. What did Jesus do for the children? (Took them in his arms, put his hands on them, blessed them.)
4. What does this tell us about Jesus? (He loves children and wants them to come to him.)
5. Who could you welcome this week? (A new classmate, someone sitting alone, a neighbor.)
Say: Jesus welcomes us, so we can welcome others.
Verse and Prayer (6 min)
Memory verse, 3 minutes. Say: Let's learn Mark 10:16 with motions. Say it line by line and have children repeat.
- 'And he took them up in his arms,' (lift arms)
- 'put his hands upon them,' (hands on shoulders)
- 'and blessed them.' (open hands outward)
Repeat three times, then once with the words hidden.
Prayer, 3 minutes. Say: Let's close our eyes and pray. Repeat after me.
- Thank you, Jesus, for welcoming children.
- Help me come to you with a trusting heart.
- Help me welcome others like you do.
- Please bless my family and friends.
Amen.
Say: Take your card and give it to someone this week. See you next time!
Materials
- Bible (KJV preferred)
- Two signs: 'Disciples' and 'Jesus'
- Masking tape
- Cardstock or heavy paper, one sheet per child
- Pencils and crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Whiteboard or large paper with the memory verse
Teacher notes
- Safety: Scissors and markers are used in the craft. Supervise closely and check for allergies before class.
- Adaptation: Pair children who need support with a buddy. Use picture cards for the story, and let quieter children point to the signs in the game instead of walking.
- The Bible does not say why the disciples rebuked those who brought the children. Keep to the text and do not invent reasons.
- Some children may feel unwelcome at home or school. Stay warm and kind, and speak with your pastor or children's leader if a child shares something that concerns you.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Mark 10:13-16. People brought children to Jesus. The disciples tried to stop them, but Jesus was displeased. He called the children to come, took them in his arms, and blessed them. Children learned that Jesus welcomes them and that we can welcome others.
- What did Jesus do for the children in our story?
- Who could you welcome this week, and how?
- What does it mean to come to Jesus with open hands?
Read Mark 10:13-16 together. Trace each family member's hand on paper and write one way Jesus blesses that person. Hang the page where everyone can see it.
Give your Welcome Card to someone and welcome one person who may feel left out. Practice Mark 10:16 each day at bedtime.
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