Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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The Greatest in God's Kingdom
(Matthew 18:1-6, 10-14)

The disciples came to Jesus with a question that had been bouncing around in their minds. "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" They had seen Jesus heal the sick, calm storms, and teach with amazing wisdom. Surely, they thought, some of them would be great leaders in God's kingdom. They wanted to know who would be the most important.

Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he called a little child over to stand among them. Then he gave them an answer that probably surprised everyone. He said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." That was huge! Jesus wasn't talking about being smart or strong or powerful. He was talking about having a simple, trusting heart like a child.

Jesus explained that whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Then he said something very serious. If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in him to sin, it would be better for that person to have a huge millstone hung around their neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Jesus loves children and people with childlike faith. Hurting their faith is a terrible thing.

But Jesus didn't stop there. He told a story to show how much God cares for every single person. He asked, "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?" Of course he would. And if he finds it, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that never strayed.

Then Jesus gave the most wonderful news. "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish." God doesn't want anyone to be lost. He searches for each person who goes astray, just like a shepherd looks for that one lost sheep. In God's kingdom, being great means being humble, caring for the weak, and never looking down on even the smallest child.

A Curious Question

Why do you think Jesus chose a little child to teach his grown-up disciples about being great in God's kingdom?

Old Testament Connection

This teaching of Jesus echoes a deep truth from the Old Testament. God often chose the youngest, smallest, or least expected people to do great things. He chose David, a young shepherd boy, to be king instead of his older, stronger brothers. The prophet Ezekiel wrote that God himself would search for his lost sheep and rescue them. God's heart has always been for the humble and the lost. Jesus was showing that he came to fulfill this ancient promise - to seek and save the wandering ones, just like a loving shepherd.

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to have faith like a little child? How is that different from how grown-ups sometimes think?

2. Why did Jesus say it would be so terrible to cause a child to sin? How can we protect the faith of younger kids?

3. The shepherd left ninety-nine sheep to find just one lost sheep. Does that seem unfair to the ninety-nine? Why or why not?

So What? What Can I Do?

1. When do you find it hardest to trust God like a child trusts their parent?

2. Is there someone at school or church who seems lost or left out? What is one small thing you could do this week to help them feel found?

3. How can you remind yourself that being humble is better than being the best or the strongest?

Memorize God's Word

Matthew 18:14 - "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish."

• In the same way hold up one finger and nod your head as if agreeing.

• your Father in heaven point one hand up toward the sky.

• is not willing shake your head no while crossing your arms.

• that any of these little ones crouch down low to show someone small.

• should perish cup your hands together and then open them as if letting go.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for loving us like a good shepherd loves his sheep. Help us to have simple, trusting hearts like little children. Show us how to care for anyone who feels lost or left out. And please keep us from ever hurting someone else's faith. We love you. Amen.

Craft or Activity

Lost Sheep Finder Craft

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Lost Sheep Finder Craft:

  1. Cut a large sheep shape from white cardstock. It can be a simple cloud shape with a head.
  2. Cover the sheep's body with glue and stick cotton balls all over to make fluffy wool.
  3. Glue two googly eyes on the sheep's face and draw a small smile with a marker.
  4. Cut a small hill shape from green construction paper and glue your sheep onto it.
  5. Write on the hill: "God finds the lost ones" and Matthew 18:14.
  6. As you work, talk about how the Good Shepherd never gives up looking for you.

Effective Teaching Techniques

For younger children, bring a stuffed sheep toy to hold while telling the story. Let them take turns hiding a small toy sheep around the room while the class "searches" for it. For older kids, ask them to name a time they felt lost (in a store, at a crowded event) and how it felt to be found. This builds empathy for the one lost sheep in Jesus' story. To save prep time, pre-cut sheep shapes before class and put glue into small cups with cotton swabs for easier application.