The story of the widow's offering (or widow's mite) is short and can be read directly from the Bible. Here are some highlights:
This is a very important principle for children. Many times adults make them feel like they don't have anything to offer the Kingdom of God. But they can be encouraged that God is truly impressed with them, even when they do things that appear "little" to adults.
For example, do you have children that serve during church services? Taking up the offering, greeting people at the front door, handing out bulletins, etc? You can talk through this with your class and help them understand that what they do is just as important in God's eyes as what the preacher or the music leader does.
Do you take up an offering in your children's ministry? Or do the children give alongside the adults? They need to know that God is just as impressed (sometimes more!) with them giving a nickel out of their allowance as he is with someone who gives thousands of dollars.
To put this story in context, see this visualization of the chronology of Holy Week. In this visualization, this story occurs in the "Temple debates" section.
Have you ever given your own money to help someone else? Or have you ever given something you own to help someone else? Do you think what you gave helped that person?
Today, we are going to learn about a woman in the Bible who gave. No one was impressed with what she gave, but Jesus was!
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.
Consider using the "Coins and Money" reinforcement activity as part of your lesson time.
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Mark 12:38-44
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Scripture Jesus sat down across from the place where people put their temple offerings. He watched the crowd putting their money into the offering boxes. Many rich people threw large amounts into them. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. They were worth much less than a penny. Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. That poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. Mark 12:41-43
Supplies small box, paper towel tube, paper bowl, two coins
Scripture But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. They were worth much less than a penny. Mark 12:42
Supplies Coins of all types and sizes (including foreign coins if you have them), paper money of all denominations, and pictures (either printed out or on a computer) of very large denominations of money
Scripture Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. That poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. Mark 12:43
Supplies Small boxes, toilet paper tubes, Scripture printout
Scripture But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. They were worth much less than a penny. Mark 12:42
Supplies coin printout, brown and orange crayons
Scripture Jesus sat down across from the place where people put their temple offerings. He watched the crowd putting their money into the offering boxes. Many rich people threw large amounts into them. Mark 12:41
Supplies jar of pennies or larger coins
Heads up! You might ask ministry team leaders over areas where children can serve to join you for this part of class.
Scripture Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. That poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. Mark 12:43
Scripture That poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. Mark 12:43