This Bible lesson will teach children about the spiritual discipline of stewardship and giving. This is an often overlooked way that God grows the faith of children. Remember, it’s not the size of the gift but the heart that matters most. This lesson is designed for a smaller group of children, but could be adapted for any Sunday School or Children’s Church setting.
Bible Topic: Stewardship
Scripture: Colossians 3:2
Target Age Group: Elementary (1st -5th grade)
Learning Context: Any small group setting like Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 30 minutes
You Can Help: Please share your feedback and suggestions to improve this children’s Bible lesson. Click here to respond
Lesson Objective: Children will learn about the spiritual discipline of stewardship.
Introduction: Begin the lesson by reading the key verse to the children. For older elementary, encourage a volunteer to read this verse to the group.
Explain: Stewardship is a big word that simply means the management of something important. Biblical Stewardship involves us managing that which God has given to us. When we speak of stewardship, we are not only speaking of tithing (giving 1/10 of our money to God), we are also talking about our time. Stewardship of our money is very important. Leviticus 27:30 tells us that “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”
God commands us to give back to him financially; however, how we use our time is just as important. We must never put anything before God. It is important to give of our time just as we give of our money. Our time should be spent doing things that have eternal value more than things that don’t. It is okay to do fun things like playing football or taking dance or playing video games, but we should not let these activities become more important than doing things for God. We must do our best to keep our time balanced between “other” things and the things of God. He deserves our very best – whether time or money, and we should strive to be good stewards of what he has given us.
Craft: During craft time, you can create a log to use with your family during the week. Write Colossians 3:2 at the top of your log. Draw columns for the activities you do during the week. Customize your log for your family. Click on the preview image to download our template to help the children get started.
Activity: Practice tithing and using your time wisely! If you get an allowance from your parents, ask them about giving a tenth during your offering time at church. Keep a daily or weekly log of how you use your time (outside of school and chores) and see where you are spending the most time. Is it being spent on things of God or “other” things? Make sure there is a balance between the two. Involve the entire family in these activities!
Bible Memory: Use any of our creative methods to help the children memorize the Colossians 3:2 Bible verse from this lesson plan.
Related Resources: You might enjoy our “Giving To Orphans” printable to company this lesson. We’ve posted a coloring page based on “No One Can Serve Two Masters” from Matthew 6:24. We also have a free Bible lesson and object lessons on giving.