Pray like Jesus - Kids Sunday School Lesson
The following Bible lesson teaches kids the practice of prayer by looking at how Jesus did it. This lesson becomes foundational for teaching kids how to pray by making it pretty simple: Pray like Jesus.
I've seen how some children and even youth can struggle with prayer. As if it's this intangible ethereal concept they just can't wrap their minds around. But by tying prayer to the person of Jesus, it becomes real!
May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.
BIBLE LESSON:
BIBLE:
Let’s hear from the Bible. I am going to read from Luke 10 (everybody say Luke) This is what Luke writes down about what he heard Jesus praying to God:
"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
Q: What emotion did Jesus feel?
(A: joy in the Holy Spirit)
Q: Did you know that even Jesus prayed?
(A: yes, he’s fully God and also fully human)
Q: What did Jesus call God in his prayer?
(A: Father, Lord of heaven and earth)
Prayer is not a strict thing we have to do - it's the place Jesus turned to when He experienced joy. Prayer is not only for tears, worries, and fears. It's a place of happiness and delighting in the love of God.
God wants to help you to come alive fully.
You can bring all your emotions to God, even Jesus brought his emotions to God! He let out his feelings with his Father.
For more kid-friendly tips for bringing emotions to Jesus, see this post.
CHALLENGE:
Your challenge for this week: 1. pause in a situation, 2. breathe, 3. count to three, and 4. pray
Like this: act out how you would do this
MINISTRY / RESPONSE:
SETTING:
Have kids go into groups of 3-4 + a kids ministry volunteer
Spread out across the room
Play some soaking music
ACTIVATION:
Practice talking to Jesus about your feelings
Ask these questions and let the kids discuss it:
Where can we talk to Jesus?
How can we talk to Jesus?
When can we talk to Jesus?
Write down / draw a prayer talking to Jesus about your feelings.
What's next?
One practical way to teach kids about these concepts from the Bible is to help them see it (visually). I did hand-illustrations for all the main events in the Gospel of Luke, creating a discipleship resource that helps you do exactly that. You can view it here:
Not quite what you're looking for? Vine Creative Studio is home to a growing collection of free lessons and kids ministry leadership guidance to help you lead young hearts to Jesus.
Comments