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2026-10-25 Jesus is Kind to Undeserving Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus is kind to undeserving sinners. Through the story of the woman caught in sin (John 8:1-11), children will see that the teachers of the Law were quick to spot someone else's sin and eager to punish her, but slow to look at their own darkened hearts. Everyone is a sinner, and everyone deserves God's punishment. Only Jesus had a perfect heart, so only Jesus had the right to throw the first stone. But instead of condemning her, Jesus chose to show her kindness, forgave her, and told her to stop sinning. Jesus' kindness does not pretend sin is okay. He can forgive sinners because He would take their punishment Himself on the cross. God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

Teachers: For young children, do not describe what sin the woman committed. Say only that she did "something very, very wrong" that God's Law said deserved death. Also arrange beforehand with another adult (or an older, good-natured child) to "snatch" a treat during the introduction, and make sure the treat you use is safe for any children with food allergies.

Main Ideas:

  • Everyone Is a Sinner: All people have sinned and deserve God's punishment, which is death. Not just "bad" people. All of us.
  • We See Other People's Sin Fast: It is easy to notice someone else's sin and want them punished, and forget our own darkened hearts.
  • Jesus Has the Right to Judge: Jesus is perfect. He is the only one without sin, so He is the only one who has the right to punish sinners.
  • Jesus Chooses to Be Kind: Instead of punishing, Jesus is eager to forgive undeserving sinners. His kindness leads us to turn away from sin.

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!”
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.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"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

Luke 19:10

[Jesus said,] "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

 

(Show the treat jar.)

Teacher: "Look what I have! A special treat for everyone. But here's the rule: NOBODY gets a treat until after the lesson. Can everyone say, 'After the lesson'?"

(Set the jar on a table beside or behind you.)

Teacher: "Do you remember our hearts?" (Hold up the Shiny Heart.) "What does this shiny heart mean?"

(Wait for kids to answer: a heart that loves God most, the way God made us.)

Teacher: (Hold up a Darkened Heart.) "And this dark one?"

Teacher Key: A sinful heart. After Adam and Eve sinned, everyone is born with a darkened heart.

(Tape a Darkened Heart onto your own chest.)

Teacher: "The Bible says, 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' That means me too. And the Bible says, 'The wages of sin is death.' God says the right punishment for sin is death." (Hold up the Death sign.)

Interaction: "Point to your own heart. Who has a sinful heart? Everyone point to yourself: 'Me!'"

Teacher: "But sometimes we forget about our OWN heart. We only see the bad things OTHER people do. Like, 'Look what [name] did! He was mean to his little brother! I hope he gets in BIG trouble!'"

(Give the signal. The snack snatcher sneaks up very obviously and grabs a treat from the jar.)

Teacher: "HEY! What are you doing, [name]?! Everyone, did I say we could have a treat now?"

Interaction: "Shake your head: 'Nooo! After the lesson!'"

Teacher: "We caught [name] RIGHT in the middle of doing something wrong! Hmm. Do you think [name] should get in trouble? Thumbs up or down?"

(Let the children respond. Most will be eager for a punishment. Have the snatcher put the treat back and sit down. Don't give a punishment yet.)

Teacher: "Wow, lots of thumbs up! When we catch someone doing wrong, we are VERY quick to want them punished, aren't we? The Bible has a true story about some people who caught someone doing something very, very wrong. Let's see what Jesus did."

Story Telling: Jesus Is Kind to Undeserving Sinners (8 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:

  • Ten Commandments visual
  • Stones
  • Death sign
  • Two Darkened Hearts (one on the teacher, one for the "woman") and the Shiny Heart (for "Jesus")
  • A girl or woman volunteer to play the woman; optionally an adult to play Jesus

 

Part 1: Caught! (2 mins)

(Open the Bible to John 8. Invite a girl or woman volunteer to the front and give her a Darkened Heart to hold over her heart. If you have an adult playing Jesus, have them sit at the front wearing the Shiny Heart.)

Teacher: "One morning, Jesus was sitting in God's big house, the temple, teaching people about God. Suddenly, some teachers of God's Law came stomping in. They were dragging a woman with them."

Interaction: "Everyone, stomp your feet like the angry teachers! Stomp, stomp, stomp!"

Teacher: "They pushed her into the middle of everybody and said, 'Teacher! We caught this woman doing something very, very wrong. We caught her RIGHT in the act!'"

(Hold up the Ten Commandments.)

Teacher: "They were right. She HAD broken God's Law. Her heart was dark with sin." (Point to the woman's Darkened Heart.)

Interaction: "Everyone point to the dark heart."

 

Part 2: Stones in Their Hands (2 mins)

(Pass one or two stones around so children can feel them. Keep a helper close so no stone gets thrown.)

Teacher: "The teachers said, 'God's Law says someone who does what she did should be punished by throwing stones at her until she dies.'" (Hold up the Death sign.) "Feel this stone. Is it soft or hard?"

Interaction: "Tap your fist on your knee: hard as a stone!"

Teacher: "Imagine lots of angry people all around you holding stones, and nowhere to run. How do you think the woman felt?"

Interaction: "Show me a scared face." (Wait.)

Teacher: "The teachers were not really trying to help. They wanted to trick Jesus. They asked, 'So, Jesus, what do YOU say?' And they waited, holding their stones."

 

Part 3: Who Has a Perfect Heart? (2 mins)

Teacher: "Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with His finger. The teachers kept asking and asking. Then Jesus stood up and said something that made everyone go quiet. He said: 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.'"

Interaction: "Everyone, finger on your lips: shhhh."

Teacher: "Jesus meant, 'Only a person with a perfect heart, a person who has NEVER sinned, can throw the first stone.' Hmm. Did the teachers have perfect hearts?"

(Point to the Darkened Heart taped on yourself.)

Teacher: "No! They were so busy looking at HER sin that they forgot to look at their OWN hearts. And then, one by one, starting with the oldest, they dropped their stones and walked away."

Interaction: "Pretend to hold a stone. Now drop it. Thunk! Everyone tiptoe in place, walking away."

Teacher: "Soon it was just Jesus and the woman. Everyone is a sinner. Everyone deserves God's punishment." (Death sign.) "Only ONE person there had a perfect heart."

(Point to the Shiny Heart.)

Interaction: "Who? Everyone shout: 'JESUS!'"

 

Part 4: Jesus Chose Kindness (2 mins)

Teacher: "Jesus was the ONLY one who had the right to throw a stone. Did Jesus pick up a stone?"

Interaction: "Shake your head: 'No!'"

Teacher: "Jesus looked at her and asked, 'Where are they? Has no one condemned you?' That means, 'Is there anyone left to punish you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'"

Interaction: "Open both hands wide, like letting something go free."

Teacher: "Jesus forgave her! She didn't deserve it. She couldn't earn it. Jesus was KIND to an undeserving sinner. But He didn't say, 'Sin is no big deal.' He said, 'Go, and sin no more.' Jesus hates sin. He loves sinners."

Teacher: "How could Jesus forgive her? Because one day soon, Jesus was going to the cross to take the punishment for sin HIMSELF. The stones she deserved... the death she deserved... Jesus would take it for those who trust in Him."

(Remove the Darkened Heart from the woman volunteer and give her the Red Heart. Thank her and let her sit down.)

Interaction: "Say with me: 'Jesus is kind to sinners like me!'"

 

Review with Actions

Teacher: "Let's remember it with actions!"

  • Teacher: "Everyone is a sinner." (Point to yourself: "Me!")
  • Teacher: "The angry teachers caught the woman." (Stomp, stomp.)
  • Teacher: "They wanted to throw stones." (Fist up, like holding a stone.)
  • Teacher: "Only Jesus has a perfect heart." (Draw a heart in the air.)
  • Teacher: "The teachers dropped their stones." ("Thunk!" and tiptoe away.)
  • Teacher: "Jesus chose to be kind and forgive." (Open hands wide.)
  • Teacher: "Go and sin no more." (Turn around and march the other way.)

Teacher: "Now faster!"

  • "Sinner!" (Point to self.)
  • "Caught!" (Stomp.)
  • "Stones!" (Fist.)
  • "Perfect!" (Heart.)
  • "Drop!" (Thunk.)
  • "Forgiven!" (Open hands.)
  • "Turn around!" (March.)

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

Discussion Questions:

Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."

Question: "When [name] snatched the treat, how did you feel? Did you want them to get in trouble?"

Teacher Key: Most of us did! We are quick to want other people punished when they do wrong, especially when we catch them in the act. The teachers of the Law felt the same way about the woman.

Question: "Have YOU ever been caught doing something wrong? Did you hope the person would punish you, or be kind to you?"

Teacher Key: Let a few children share. When we are the one caught, we want kindness, not punishment. We all need Jesus' kindness, because we are all sinners.

Question: "Why did the teachers drop their stones and walk away?"

Teacher Key: Because none of them had a perfect heart. They were sinners too. Everyone is a sinner and deserves God's punishment.

Question: "Who was the only one who had the right to throw a stone? What did He do instead?"

Teacher Key: Jesus, because He never sinned. But Jesus chose to be kind. He did not condemn her. He forgave her.

Question: "Some people think, 'It's okay to do bad things, because Jesus is kind and He'll forgive me.' Is that true?"

Teacher Key: No! Sin is never okay. Jesus told the woman, "Go, and from now on sin no more." When we see how kind Jesus is, it should make us sorry for our sin and want to love and obey Him, not keep sinning.

Question: "Jesus was kind to us. How should we treat others when they do something wrong to us?"

Teacher Key: Be kind and forgiving, just like Jesus forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).

Teacher: "This week, tell your mom or dad about something you need Jesus to forgive you for. Then pray together and ask Jesus for His kindness and forgiveness."

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "Everyone is a sinner. Everyone deserves to be punished. Jesus is the only one with a perfect heart, the only one who has the right to judge us. But Jesus didn't come to throw stones. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. What a Savior!"

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, we are sinners. We are quick to see other people's sin and slow to see our own. Thank You that You are perfect, and that You are kind to sinners who don't deserve it. Thank You for taking the punishment on the cross for all who trust in You. Please forgive us. Help us turn away from sin and love You most. Help us be kind and forgiving to others, just like You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: John 3:17

 

John 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Hand Gestures:

  • "For God did not send his Son": Point up to heaven, then shake your finger "no."
  • "into the world": Make a big circle with both arms (a globe).
  • "to condemn the world,": Hold up a fist like a stone, then open your hand and let it drop. "Thunk!"
  • "but in order that the world": Make the big circle again.
  • "might be saved": Hug yourself tight.
  • "through him.": Point up to Jesus.

Teacher Tip: Explain two words first. World means the people in the world. Condemn means to judge and punish someone for their sin. This is a long verse for ages 4-6, so learn it in two halves: "God did not send His Son to condemn the world" (drop the stone) and "but that the world might be saved through Him" (hug). Say the halves as call-and-response: teacher says the first half, children answer with the second.

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "Earn the Treat"

Adapted from the source lesson's optional game. The children try to "earn" the treat from the lesson by winning a game that is impossible to win. After everyone tries and fails, the teacher gives them the treat anyway: a picture of Jesus' undeserved kindness.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-6 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Shows that we cannot earn God's kindness. Jesus gives forgiveness to sinners who do not deserve it.

🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

  • The treat jar from the lesson (allergy-safe treats)
  • A light ball or a beanbag
  • A timer or phone stopwatch

🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: Hold up the treat jar. "Remember, the treat comes after the lesson. But first, you have to EARN it!"

Step 2: Give an impossible challenge, for example: balance the ball on the tip of your nose for ten seconds, or run to the wall and back in one second.

Step 3: Let every child try. Cheer them on. When they fail, the group says together: "Can't do it!"

Step 4: Ask: "Did anyone earn the treat? Does anyone deserve it?" (No.)

Step 5: Give every child a treat anyway, including the "snatcher" from the lesson. Say: "You didn't earn this. I'm giving it to you because I want to be kind. That's a little picture of Jesus. We can't earn forgiveness. Jesus is kind to sinners who don't deserve it." Save the treats for snack time if needed.

Craft: Dropped Stones at the Cross

Adapted from the source lesson's classroom display. Each child writes their name on a paper stone and glues it to a cross, as a reminder that Jesus took the punishment we deserved so He could forgive us.

Materials: Brown, gray, or black construction paper (pre-drawn stone shapes for little hands), child-safe scissors, glue sticks, markers or crayons, one large poster board cross (for a group display) or a small paper cross for each child (to take home), John 3:17 printed on a small strip.

The Activity:

  • Step 1: Children cut out one or two paper stones. Help younger children with the cutting.
  • Step 2: Each child writes (or the teacher helps write) their name on a stone. "My name is on this stone because I am a sinner. I deserve God's punishment."
  • Step 3: Glue the stone onto the cross. "But Jesus took the punishment on the cross for all who trust in Him."
  • Step 4: Glue the John 3:17 strip in the center of the cross.
  • Take Home: Children tell their family: "Everyone is a sinner, but Jesus is kind to undeserving sinners. He didn't come to condemn, He came to save." This week, tell your parents about something you need Jesus' forgiveness for, and pray together.

Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You that You are perfect, and You are kind. Thank You that You did not come to condemn us, but to save us. We don't deserve Your kindness, and we can't earn it. Thank You for forgiving sinners who trust in You. Help us to turn from our sin and to be kind to others, just like 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.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)

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