Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

Download biblically sound, Christ-centered lesson plans built for immediate use.

The Wise Men Worship the King
(Matthew 2:1-12)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a group of wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked a very important question: "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

King Herod heard about this and was troubled. Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too. Herod called together the chief priests and teachers of the law. He asked them where the Messiah was supposed to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they answered. They quoted the prophet Micah, who wrote that a ruler would come from Bethlehem to shepherd God's people.

Herod secretly called the wise men to meet with him. He found out exactly when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." But Herod was lying. He did not want to worship Jesus. He wanted to kill him.

The wise men left Jerusalem, and there was the star they had seen in the east. It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their country by a different road. These men traveled far, followed God's sign, and found the true King. Their journey shows us that Jesus came for all people, not just those nearby.

A Curious Question

What do you think the wise men felt when they finally saw the star stop over the house where Jesus was, after traveling for so many months or even years?

Old Testament Connection

This story connects directly to God's promises in the Old Testament. The prophet Micah had written hundreds of years earlier that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The wise men followed a star, which reminded God's people of the prophecy from Balaam in Numbers 24:17: "A star will come out of Jacob." This shows that Jesus did not appear randomly. He came as the fulfillment of God's faithful plan and Old Testament prophecy.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the wise men traveled so far just to worship Jesus, even though they had never met him before?

2. King Herod said he wanted to worship Jesus, but he was lying. How can we tell if someone truly wants to worship God or just pretends?

3. The wise men gave Jesus expensive gifts. What is something valuable you could give to Jesus today?

So What? What Can I Do?

1. When do you find it hard to obey God, like the wise men obeyed by going home a different way?

2. The wise men worshiped Jesus even when he was a young child. How can you worship Jesus at home, not just at church?

3. What is one way you can show that Jesus is your King this week at school or in your neighborhood?

Memorize God's Word

Matthew 2:11 - They bowed down and worshiped him.

• They bowed down bend at your waist and lower your head as if bowing to a king.

• and worshiped him lift your hands up high toward heaven, then place them over your heart.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be our King. Help us to worship him like the wise men did, not just with gifts but with our whole hearts. Keep us safe from lies like Herod's and give us courage to follow your directions, even when it means going a different way. Amen.

Craft or Activity

Star Following Crown

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Star Following Crown:

  1. Cut a long strip of yellow construction paper about 3 inches wide and long enough to fit around your head plus 2 extra inches.
  2. Use the ruler to draw a zigzag line along the top edge of the strip to look like a crown.
  3. Cut along the zigzag line carefully.
  4. Decorate the crown with star stickers, glitter glue, or drawn stars.
  5. Write "I will follow the King" on the front of the crown.
  6. Tape or glue the ends of the strip together to form a circle that fits your head.
  7. As you wear the crown, remember how the wise men followed the star to find Jesus.

Effective Teaching Techniques

To save time, pre-cut the paper strips and zigzag lines for younger children. For a simpler version, use paper headbands with star stickers only. For older kids, add a second color of construction paper to layer the crown. To help the class memorize the verse, repeat the bowing motion three times and then add the hand lift. When reading the story, pause after the wise men see the star and ask the class to show their "most joyful face" without making noise.