The Good Samaritan: Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Ages 3-5)
Ages 3-5 · 30 minutes · free lesson plan · Luke 10:25-37
Preschoolers hear Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan through actions, a teddy-bandaging game and a heart craft. They learn that being kind to others is what Jesus wants, and they practice Luke 10:37.
Memory verse
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:37, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Children will retell that a man helped someone who was hurt.
- Children will learn that Jesus wants us to be kind to everyone.
- Children will practice one way to help someone this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome and Helping Song (4 min)
Greet each child by name. Sit in a circle.
Say: "Hello, friends! Today we hear a story Jesus told about being kind."
Say: "Let's wave our hands. Show me helping hands!"
Sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It":
"If you love to help a friend, give a hug (hug yourself)!
If you love to help a friend, give a hug!
If you love to help a friend, then your kindness will not end.
If you love to help a friend, give a hug!"
Repeat with "clap your hands" and "wave hello."
Say: "Now let's sit down and listen to Jesus' story."
Bible Story: The Good Samaritan (5 min)
Hold up the Bible. Tell the story with actions.
Say: "A man asked Jesus, 'Who is my neighbour?' Jesus told a story."
Say: "A man was walking on a road. Robbers hurt him and left him there." (Walk fingers. Hold your arm as if hurt.)
Say: "A priest saw him and walked on the other side. A Levite saw him and walked by too." (Turn away.)
Say: "Then a Samaritan saw him. He felt sorry for him. He bandaged his wounds and put him on his animal." (Pretend to bandage.)
Say: "He took him to an inn and took care of him. He gave the innkeeper money to keep helping."
Say: "Jesus asked, 'Who was the neighbour?' The man said, 'The one who showed mercy.' Jesus said, 'Go, and do likewise.'"
Say: "Now let's learn what this story teaches."
Who Is My Neighbour? (4 min)
Say: "The Samaritan stopped. He helped a man who was hurt."
Say: "Mercy means being kind and helping, even when it is hard."
Say: "Jesus wants us to help everyone, not just our friends."
Background: Many people did not get along with Samaritans. Jesus chose a Samaritan to show real kindness.
Teach the verse with motions. Repeat it three times, getting faster each time.
"He that shewed mercy" (hug arms)
"Go, and do thou likewise" (walk in place, then point out)
Say: "Jesus shows us kindness too. Now let's practice being helpers!"
Game: Help the Hurt Teddy (5 min)
Setup before class: Put a teddy or doll on the floor on one side of the room. Place cloth strips on the other side.
Time: 5 minutes.
1. Say: "Our teddy is hurt on the road!" Children sit in a line.
2. Walk past the teddy and say, "Oh no, I will not stop." Ask, "Was that kind?" (No!)
3. Invite one child at a time to walk (not run) to the teddy. They say, "I will help you," and gently wrap a cloth strip around its arm.
4. The class cheers, "He showed mercy!"
5. Let each child have a turn as time allows. Others can clap.
Safety: Wrap only the teddy, never a child. Keep walking, with space between children.
Craft: My Helping Heart (5 min)
Setup before class: Pre-cut paper hearts and tear tape pieces. Put out crayons.
Time: 5 minutes.
1. Give each child a paper heart.
2. Say: "Color your heart. Hearts show kindness."
3. Help each child stick a small strip of paper "bandage" across the heart with tape.
4. Ask each child, "How can you help someone?" Write or draw their answer on the back.
5. Say the verse together: "Go, and do thou likewise."
Safety: Children use no scissors. Watch that crayons and tape stay out of mouths. Check for allergies with any craft materials. Small pieces are not for children under 3.
Talk About It (3 min)
Sit close together. Ask each question and give time for answers.
Say: "Let's talk about our story."
1. Who stopped to help the hurt man? (The Samaritan.)
2. How did he help? (He bandaged him and took care of him.)
3. Who can you help this week? (A friend, a brother or sister, Mom or Dad.)
Say: "Great thinking! Let's thank God for kindness."
Closing and Prayer (4 min)
Say: "Hold up your helping heart. Let's say our verse one more time." Repeat: "And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
Say: "Now let's close our eyes and pray."
Pray aloud, children repeat after you:
"Dear God, thank You for Jesus." (repeat)
"Help us be kind to everyone." (repeat)
"Help us to go and help others. Amen."
Say: "Take your heart home and tell your family the story!"
Sing the helping song once more with hugs and waves, then dismiss to parents.
Materials
- Bible
- Teddy bear or doll
- Soft cloth strips (bandages)
- Pre-cut paper hearts (one per child)
- Crayons
- Tape
Teacher notes
- Safety: Use only the teddy for bandaging. Craft uses paper, crayons and tape; no scissors. Check for allergies and watch for small pieces.
- Adaptation: Use pictures of the story for visual learners. Let shy children be buddies and help together, or just watch. Offer a quieter option, such as coloring only.
- Keep the story simple and follow Luke 10. Do not add names or details the Bible does not give.
- Gospel link: Jesus shows us mercy and teaches us to love. You may say: 'Jesus loves us and helps us.'
Send it home with parents
Today we heard Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. A man was hurt, and a Samaritan stopped to help him, showing mercy. Jesus told us to go and do the same.
- Who helped the hurt man in Jesus' story?
- Who can we be kind to this week?
Make a family 'helping list.' Together, name three ways to help someone this week, such as a neighbour, a grandparent or a friend. Draw or write them on paper and put it on the fridge.
Do one kind act each day this week. Say the verse together before bedtime: 'Go, and do thou likewise.'
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