2026-05-24 Jesus Calms Fearful Sinners
Introduction
In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners, not just one special group. Through the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-26, 39-42), children will discover that Jesus crossed every boundary that people had built, and that His good news is for every tribe, every language, and every kind of person. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other, and Jews had rules about not talking to Samaritans. But Jesus sat down with a Samaritan woman and told her He was the Savior she needed. She believed, and she ran to tell her whole town. Jesus is happy to welcome every kind of sinner into His family.
Main Ideas:
- Everyone is a Sinner: All people, from every group, have sinned and need Jesus (Romans 3:23).
- No Favorites: Jesus does not save only one kind of people. His love is for everyone.
- Crossing Lines: Jesus crossed the lines people had built to reach sinners no one else cared about.
- All Nations Worship: One day, people from every tribe and language will praise Jesus together.
Praise and Worship (15 mins)
Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.
Prayer and Offering (5 mins)
Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.
What is Offering?
Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.
Why Do We Make an Offering?
To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!
Prayer for Offering
Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Review Verse from Last Week
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Bible Story (10 min)
Introduction (2 min)
Props Needed:
- A small bag of fancy stickers (enough for about half the children)
- A small plate of yummy treats (cookies, candy) and a small plate of crumbled crackers (to show as an unfair "treat")
- Two paper signs: "Jews" and "Samaritans"
- A red paper STOP sign labeled "Do NOT talk to them!"
- A water cup or water bottle (for the well)
(Walk in wearing a sticker on your shirt. Hold up the bag of stickers.)
Teacher: "Good morning, friends! Today I am starting with a game. I am going to give stickers to some of you, but not to everyone. Let's see who gets a sticker."
(Pass out stickers to about half of the children. Do it in a silly way, skipping some and giving to others with no clear reason.)
Teacher: "Okay! Now, children with stickers, come sit on THIS side, over here with me. Children without stickers, please sit on the OTHER side."
(Wait until children have separated into two groups.)
Teacher: "Now I have a treat for each group. The sticker group, you are the special group. You get to eat THESE."
(Hold up the plate of yummy treats.)
Teacher: "But the no-sticker group? Since you don't have stickers, you have to eat THESE."
(Hold up the plate of crumbled crackers. Make a sad-looking face.)
Interaction: "No-sticker group, how do you feel about that? Thumbs down!"
Teacher: "Is it FAIR that I am giving the yummy treats only to the kids with stickers? Did the sticker kids do anything to earn them? Did they do a good deed? Did they pass a test? No! I just picked who got them. That is not fair at all. Don't worry, everyone gets treats at the end today!"
Teacher: "Sometimes people split themselves into groups and think, 'MY group is better. YOUR group is worse. I don't want to share with you. I don't want to play with you. I don't even want to TALK to you.' Today in the Bible, we are going to meet two groups like that. And we are going to see what JESUS thinks about it."
Story Telling: Jesus Welcomes All Kinds of Sinners (8 min)
Props / Visuals Suggested:
- "Jews" sign and "Samaritans" sign
- Red STOP sign: "Do NOT talk to them!"
- Water cup or bottle (for the well)
- The two groups of children (sticker / no-sticker) still separated
Part 1: Two Groups Who Did Not Like Each Other (2 mins)
(Hold up the "Jews" sign near the sticker group.)
Teacher: "A long, long time ago, God chose a special group of people to be His family. They were called JEWS. Moses was a Jew. David was a Jew. Mary, Jesus' mother, was a Jew. Even Jesus, when He was born, was born into this group of people."
Interaction: "Sticker group, you are the Jews today. Stand up and wave!"
Teacher: "God loved the Jews and gave them His Word, the Bible. But some of the Jews started to think they were BETTER than everybody else. They said, 'God only loves us. Other people are just sinners. We are the good ones.' Was that true?"
Interaction: "Shake your head NO!"
Teacher: "No! Every person is a sinner. The Bible says, 'All have sinned.' The Jews were sinners too. But they forgot."
(Hold up the "Samaritans" sign near the no-sticker group.)
Teacher: "Now, right next to where the Jews lived was another group of people. They were called SAMARITANS. The Jews did NOT like the Samaritans. They thought the Samaritans were 'wrong' and 'dirty.'"
Interaction: "No-sticker group, you are the Samaritans today. Stand up and wave!"
(Hold up the red STOP sign.)
Teacher: "The Jews made a big rule: DO NOT TALK to Samaritans. Do NOT sit with them. Do NOT share food with them. Do NOT even walk through their towns."
Interaction: "Hold up your hand like a stop sign. 'STOP! Do not talk!'"
Part 2: Jesus Goes Where No One Goes (2 mins)
Teacher: "One day, Jesus did something that SHOCKED everybody. Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let's go through Samaria today.' The disciples probably said, 'But Jesus! That's where the SAMARITANS live! We're not supposed to go there!'"
Teacher: "But Jesus went. Jesus went right into the town of Samaria, right to a place where people got their water, called a WELL. And Jesus sat down, right there, all by Himself, because He was tired and thirsty from walking."
Interaction: "Pretend to walk, walk, walk. Now pretend to be tired. Phew! Sit down and wipe your forehead."
(Hold up the water cup.)
Teacher: "Soon, a Samaritan woman came to the well to get water. And Jesus LOOKED at her. And Jesus TALKED to her. Jesus said, 'Will you give Me a drink?'"
Interaction: "Gasp! Everyone cover your mouth! Can you believe it? Jesus is TALKING to a Samaritan!"
Teacher: "The woman was SO surprised. She said, 'How can You, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink? Don't You know the rule?' And Jesus smiled. Jesus knew the rule. Jesus just didn't care about that rule, because that rule was not from God. That rule was from people who thought they were better than other people."
Part 3: Jesus Tells Her the Good News (2 mins)
Teacher: "Jesus said something really interesting to the woman. Jesus said, 'If you knew who I really was, YOU would ask Me for a drink, and I would give you LIVING WATER. Water that makes you never thirsty again.'"
Interaction: "Pretend to take a big gulp of water. Ahhh!"
Teacher: "Jesus was not really talking about wet water. Jesus was talking about something much better. Jesus was talking about the GOOD NEWS that can save a sinful heart forever. The woman did not need water. The woman needed a SAVIOR."
Teacher: "Jesus told the woman something amazing. Jesus knew everything about her, every bad thing she had ever done. She was surprised. She said, 'How do You know all that? You must be a prophet from God!' And Jesus told her the biggest secret of all: 'I am the Savior God promised. I am the One who came to save sinners.'"
Interaction: "Point up to Jesus and whisper: 'He is the Savior!'"
Teacher: "Jesus did not come just for the Jews. Jesus did not come just for 'nice' people. Jesus did not come only for the sticker group. Jesus came for the woman too, a Samaritan, with a sinful heart, whom nobody else would even talk to."
Part 4: Go Tell Everyone! (2 mins)
Teacher: "The woman BELIEVED Jesus. Right there at the well, she trusted in Jesus to save her. And she was so excited that she ran back to her town. She left her water jar at the well and RAN."
Interaction: "Everyone run in place! Faster, faster! Go tell the town!"
Teacher: "She told everyone, 'Come see the man who knew everything about me! Could He be the Savior?' And all the Samaritans came running to see Jesus. And LOTS of them believed and trusted in Jesus too!"
(Wave the children from both groups together in front of you.)
Interaction: "Sticker group and no-sticker group, come together! No more dividing! One big group who loves Jesus!"
Teacher: "This is what Jesus does. Jesus takes groups that hate each other, and He brings them into ONE group, HIS family. Jews and Samaritans, people with different languages, different skin colors, different countries. The Bible says that in heaven there will be people from EVERY tribe and EVERY language and EVERY kind of people, all worshiping Jesus together."
Interaction: "Everyone, put your hands together in a big circle or hold hands. One family under Jesus!"
(Now pass out the yummy treats to EVERYONE, not just the sticker group.)
Teacher: "And here is the good news for today. Everyone gets the treat. Not because you earned it. But because Jesus welcomes everyone who trusts in Him."
Review with Actions
Teacher: "Let's remember the story with actions!"
- Teacher: "Jews and Samaritans did not like each other." (Kids cross arms and turn away.)
- Teacher: "There was a rule: Do NOT talk!" (Kids hold up a "stop" hand.)
- Teacher: "Jesus walked right into Samaria." (Kids march.)
- Teacher: "Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman." (Kids cup hands around mouth and say, "Hello!")
- Teacher: "Jesus said, 'I am the Savior!'" (Kids point up.)
- Teacher: "The woman ran to tell everyone!" (Kids run in place.)
- Teacher: "All kinds of people came to believe in Jesus." (Kids sweep arms wide and then join hands.)
Teacher: "Now faster!"
- "Two groups." (Cross arms.)
- "Do not talk!" (Stop hand.)
- "Jesus went." (March.)
- "Jesus talked." (Hello!)
- "I am the Savior!" (Point up.)
- "Go tell!" (Run.)
- "All kinds of people!" (Arms wide, join hands.)
Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)
(Gather children close for reflection.)
Discussion Questions:
Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."
Question: "Why did the Jews not want to talk to Samaritans?"
Teacher Key: They thought they were better. They made a rule to keep away from Samaritans. But their rule was from pride, not from God.
Question: "What did Jesus do that surprised the Samaritan woman?"
Teacher Key: Jesus talked to her, even though Jews were not supposed to talk to Samaritans. Jesus did not follow the rule that came from pride.
Question: "What did Jesus offer her that was better than water?"
Teacher Key: Living water. The good news that He is the Savior. Forgiveness of sin and new life forever.
Question: "What did the woman do after she believed in Jesus?"
Teacher Key: She ran back to her town and told everyone. Many Samaritans came and believed in Jesus too.
Question: "Does Jesus only save one kind of people?"
Teacher Key: No! Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners. From every tribe, every country, every language. Heaven will be full of different people praising Jesus together.
Question: "Is there anyone you sometimes don't want to talk to or play with because they are different?"
Teacher Key: Let kids share simply. Gently remind them that Jesus welcomes everyone and we can too. (New kid at school, a quiet sibling, a child who looks or sounds different.)
Teacher: "The Samaritan woman was a sinner. So were the Jews. So are we. The only reason ANY of us get to be with Jesus is because Jesus is kind and welcomes sinners, not because we are the 'right kind of person.' So if Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners, we can welcome all kinds of people too."
Closing Thought & Prayer
Teacher: "Jesus did not build walls. Jesus broke walls down. He came for Jews AND Samaritans. He came for Canada, China, Africa, and every country. He came for you, and He came for people you have never met. Let's thank Jesus for His big welcome."
(Fold hands and bow heads.)
Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You that You welcome all kinds of sinners. Thank You that You did not only come for one group. Please help us love people who are different from us. Please help people in every country hear about You. We pray that one day, all kinds of people will praise You together. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Memorizing Verse: Psalm 67:3
Psalm 67:3
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Hand Gestures:
- "Let the peoples...": Sweep both arms wide, pointing outward to many different people.
- "...praise you...": Raise both hands high in the air in praise.
- "O God...": Point up to heaven.
- "...let ALL the peoples...": Sweep arms even wider, then tap yourself on the chest (everyone includes me!).
- "...praise you!": Both hands high again, with a big smile.
Teacher Tip: Say the verse in a call-and-response. Teacher: "Let the peoples praise you..." Kids: "O GOD!" Teacher: "Let all the peoples..." Kids: "PRAISE YOU!" Keep it loud and joyful, because that is the point of the verse.
Craft & Game (10 mins)
Game: "Jesus Welcomes Everyone" People Hunt
Children hunt for paper "people" cutouts hidden around the room. Each person looks different (different colors, clothes, faces). When they find one, they bring it to a big paper Jesus on the wall, and together the children gather all the different "people" around Jesus. The game ends with the whole room full of different people all gathered around Jesus.
⏰ Time: 5 minutes
👧 Age Group: 4-6 years
🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces that Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners from every tribe and language.
🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:
- A large paper cutout of Jesus taped to the wall (with arms wide open, welcoming)
- 10-15 paper cutouts of people with different skin tones, clothing, ages, hairstyles. Each one has a small piece of tape on the back.
- Hide the people cutouts around the room before class starts
- A Bible verse strip: "Let all the peoples praise You!"
🎲 How to Play:
Step 1: Tell the children: "Jesus wants to welcome ALL kinds of people to be His friends. But some of them are hiding. Let's find them and bring them to Jesus!"
Step 2: Children look for the paper people around the room. When they find one, they bring it to the big Jesus on the wall and tape it next to Him.
Step 3: As each person is found, teacher says: "Look at this person! Does Jesus welcome them?" (Yes!) Tape the person near Jesus.
Step 4: When all the people are found, look at the wall together. Ask: "Are all these people the same? Or are they different?" (Different!) "But does Jesus welcome ALL of them?" (Yes!)
Step 5: Everyone together: "Let all the peoples praise You, O God!" Then finish with the memory verse gestures.
Craft: "All Kinds of People" Friendship Chain
Children make a paper chain of people holding hands, each colored and decorated differently, to show that Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners. The chain can be hung at home as a reminder.
Materials: Pre-cut paper chain strips of people (the classic accordion-fold people chain where the hands stay connected), different colors of construction paper, crayons or markers, stickers, the memory verse printed on a small strip.
The Activity:
- Step 1: Give each child a paper chain of 4-5 connected people.
- Step 2: Have the child color each person differently: different hair colors, different skin colors, different outfits. Talk about how Jesus welcomes all of them.
- Step 3: On the back of the chain, have children (with parent help) write: "Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners."
- Step 4: Attach the memory verse strip: "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" (Psalm 67:3)
- Step 5: Decorate with stickers. Take home and hang up.
- Take Home: Children show their family: "Jesus welcomes ALL kinds of people! Even me. Even the kid at school who looks different from me."
Response Song
Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)
"Dear Jesus, thank You that Your love has no borders. Thank You that You welcome sinners from every country, every language, every family. Help us to love people who are different from us, just like You do. Bring many more people from every tribe and tongue to worship You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.