The Lord's Prayer: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Matthew 6:5-15
Elementary children learn from Matthew 6:5-15 that Jesus wants us to pray sincerely to our Father, not to show off. They explore the five parts of the Lord's Prayer through motions, a card-ordering game, and a door hanger craft.
Memory verse
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:8, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Explain that Jesus wants us to pray to God sincerely, not to be seen by people.
- Name the main parts of the prayer Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13.
- Practice praying a short, honest prayer to our Father who knows what we need.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Who Is Watching? (5 min)
Setup: Clear a space so children can stand in place. No running.
Say: Welcome! Today we learn how Jesus taught people to pray.
Game (3 min):
1. Call out an action, such as "brushing teeth" or "reading a book."
2. Children act it out first as a big show-off for an audience, then quietly as if alone.
3. Ask: "Which was easier to do for people watching? Which felt more real?"
Say: Sometimes we do good things just so people will notice us.
Say: Jesus talked about this when He taught about prayer.
Now let's hear what Jesus said.
Hear the Passage (7 min)
Setup: Have Bibles open to Matthew 6:5. Read or retell it in order.
Say: Jesus said some people love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners, so that people will see them (v. 5).
Say: Jesus said they already have their reward. People saw them, and that is all they got.
Say: Jesus said, "When you pray, enter into your closet, shut the door, and pray to your Father in secret." (v. 6)
Background: A "closet" in the KJV means a private inner room.
Say: Your Father sees in secret and will reward you openly (v. 6).
Say: Jesus said not to use "vain repetitions" or think we are heard for our much speaking (v. 7).
Say: Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (v. 8).
Read aloud Matthew 6:9-13, the prayer Jesus taught. Then say: Jesus also said that if we forgive people, our heavenly Father will forgive us (vv. 14-15).
Now let's see what this prayer teaches us.
Five Parts of Jesus' Prayer (8 min)
Say: Jesus gave us a pattern for prayer. Let's walk through it with motions.
1. "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." Point up. Say: We talk to God as our Father and honor His name.
2. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." Open your arms wide. Say: We want God's way, not just our own.
3. "Give us this day our daily bread." Cup hands. Say: We ask God for what we need today.
4. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Hug yourself. Say: We ask forgiveness and forgive others.
5. "Deliver us from evil." Stand strong. Say: We ask God to keep us safe from evil.
Say: Jesus warned against empty, repeated words. He wants real words from the heart.
Say: God is not impressed by long or fancy prayers. He is our Father, and He already knows what we need.
Say: Jesus makes a way for us to come to God, and He teaches us to call Him Father.
Now let's put the prayer in order.
Game: Prayer Pattern Puzzle (8 min)
Setup: Before class, write the five parts on separate index cards, one set per group of 3-4: Our Father/honor His name; God's kingdom and will; daily bread; forgive; keep us from evil. Shuffle each set.
Time: 8 minutes.
Steps:
1. Form small groups and give each a shuffled set.
2. Groups put the cards in the order of Matthew 6:9-13. Bibles may be used.
3. When a group finishes, they stand and say the five parts together.
4. Check the order together (Father and honor, kingdom and will, bread, forgive, evil).
5. Play again: shuffle and swap sets between groups to race for a faster time. Walk, do not run.
Tip: Pair stronger readers with younger or newer readers.
Craft: Prayer Door Hanger (8 min)
Setup: Pre-cut cardstock into door-hanger shapes (a rectangle with a hole at the top), or let older children cut their own.
Safety: Scissors in use. Supervise closely and use child-safe scissors. Check for allergies before using any craft supplies.
Time: 8 minutes.
Steps:
1. Write "Pray to your Father in secret" (Matthew 6:6) on the front.
2. Decorate it with a door or a heart.
3. On the back, draw or write one thing to thank God for and one thing to ask Him.
4. Add yarn through the hole if you like.
5. Hang it on a bedroom door or doorknob at home as a reminder to pray.
Say: This is a reminder that God is always ready to listen to you.
Now let's talk about what we learned.
Talk It Over (5 min)
Ask these questions and give time for answers:
1. Why did Jesus say not to pray just to be seen by people? (God wants our hearts, not a show.)
2. Where is a quiet place you can pray? (My bedroom, a corner of the house, outside.)
3. If God already knows what we need, why do we pray? (Because He is our Father and we get to talk with Him.)
4. Which part of the prayer is easiest for you? Which is hardest? (Forgiving someone is hard, but God helps us.)
5. How can we show forgiveness this week? (Say sorry first, play kindly, let go of a hurt.)
Say: Jesus teaches us to pray, and He forgives us, so we can forgive others.
Closing Prayer and Memory Verse (4 min)
Say: Let's say our memory verse together: Matthew 6:8.
Say it three times, once whispering, once normal, once loud, with the verse written where all can see.
Say: Now let's practice real prayer, short and honest.
Prayer points to lead (children may repeat after you):
- Thank God for being our Father in heaven.
- Ask God for what we need today.
- Ask God to help us forgive someone.
- Ask God to keep us safe and help us do what is right.
Say: Take your door hanger home and use it this week. Amen.
Materials
- KJV Bibles
- Index cards (5 per group) with the prayer parts written on them
- Cardstock or heavy paper (1 per child)
- Crayons or markers
- Child-safe scissors
- Tape
- Yarn or string (optional, for hanging)
- Whiteboard or large paper for the memory verse
Teacher notes
- Keep the "Say:" lines short and let children do the actions. Retell the passage in order; do not add details the Bible does not give.
- Safety: Craft uses scissors and tape. Supervise closely, use child-safe scissors, and check for allergies before using any craft supplies.
- Adaptation: Use picture or word cards for the five prayer parts and pair children as buddies. Offer a quiet corner for anyone who finds the movement or noise overwhelming.
- Some children may not feel comfortable praying aloud. Let them pray silently or repeat after you, and never pressure them.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Matthew 6:5-15. Jesus taught that prayer is not about being seen by people. It is about talking honestly with our Father, who knows what we need. We learned the five parts of the prayer Jesus taught and made a door hanger to remind us to pray.
- Where is your quiet place to talk to God?
- Which part of the prayer Jesus taught do you want to practice this week?
Read Matthew 6:9-13 together at dinner or bedtime. Take turns praying one sentence for each of the five parts: Father, God's will, daily needs, forgiveness, protection.
Use the door hanger each day this week. Pray one short, honest prayer in a quiet place, and say the memory verse each night.
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