This Bible Object Lesson will teach kids that Jesus is the Way to Life. It’s based on John 14:1-14 where Jesus says, “I am Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” Download the teachers notes, watch our Children’s Message example, and gather your supplies. Then you’re ready to share this message in your church next Sunday!
“The Keys to Life”
Children’s Sermon Object on Jesus is the Way from John 14:1-14
Children’s Message: The Key to Life
Jesus is the Way
Main Objective: What does it mean that Jesus is “the way”? This message demonstrates to children the importance of Jesus being the most important thing in our lives. The object lesson utilizes a key to describe Christ’s power, emphasizing the key’s ability to let us into places, just as Jesus lets us into fellowship with God and eternal life.
Law/Gospel Theme: Because of sin, we are separated from God. The law says that we must do certain things in order to receive blessing. Here, we see that Jesus is THE way to life. Because of His death and resurrection, the gates of Heaven are “unlocked” and we can gain access to the Lord. We cannot do it on our own, but Jesus makes the way for us, when we only believe.
Optional Materials / Object Lesson Props: Keys, with locks to unlock I available.
Bible Passage: John 14:1-14
Message Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students. Note extra variations for using this message at home.
More Teaching Helps on Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
- See all our lessons and ministry ideas about Jesus is the Way.
- See our video playlist on Jesus is the Way.
- See our Sunday School Lesson “I am the way, the truth, the life”
- Compare our children’s sermon on this passage
Children’s Sermon on Jesus is the Way (John 14:1-14) Keys to Life Object Lesson
Greet children, and depending on setting, with keys in hand. If you are doing this one at home, take the keys around to doors or have a lock box that can be opened.
Hello, children of God! What do I have here? (Hold up keys) That’s right; these are keys! What do keys do? Well, they unlock things, right? So, if I put this key into my house door, it will let me inside the house. If I use this key, I can unlock the mailbox. (Again, if you’re doing this at home, it might be fun to experiment and let kids see which key goes with what.)
I have to use the right key that is made for a certain lock. Otherwise, no matter how much I try and twist, it won’t quite go in.
Will any of these keys get me into Heaven?? Will one of them show me how to be close to God? No, these keys won’t do that…but what will? There is something, or rather someONE who is the way to God’s kingdom. Who is that?? Of course… it’s Jesus!
In our Gospel today, Jesus described Himself as being the way, the truth, and the life. He said that He was going to go to Heaven and prepare a place for us. His disciples asked Him to show the way, and asked what God the Father was like. Jesus told them that HE was the way, and that He was one with God. Those who knew Jesus knew God.
You see, way back in the very beginning, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. When they sinned, it locked the door between us and fellowship with God, and brought pain and hardship into earthly life.
Well, fortunately, God is a pretty good locksmith! He had a plan to bring us back into a relationship with Him, and that plan was fulfilled in Jesus. He is the key to life. He is the way we can be saved, draw near to God, and one day go to Heaven!
It isn’t something we do ourselves. Just like we can’t wiggle and force a key into a lock, we can’t earn or force our own way into Heaven. We have to come through Jesus. When we put our faith in Christ and trust that His death and resurrection save us, we can rest assured that we are in God’s family.
We can talk to God, share our thoughts, and tell Him our hopes and needs in the name of Jesus. We know that we will be in that Heavenly household one day, and in the meantime, we know that Jesus is present and will never leave us. He is the key!
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
You are the way, truth, and life
You are the key to all things
Please help us to know how to follow you
Thank you for unlocking the door to life
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
John 14:1-14 English Standard Version (ESV) I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. –John 14:1-14 ESV
Thank you so much for these Children’s sermons. They have helped me so much during this quarantine as we have not had children’s church so I’ve been doing a sermon on Wednesday nights on our churches’ facebook live. Now we are having services at church, but still can not have a separate Children’s church. I’m sure the kids miss our time together, but having these sermons available helps me so much to inspire me to either teach these or to do some other kind of illustrated sermon. It’s been so very helpful as I am used to preaching for adults, but with the kids I usually do more of an interactive type lesson. I so appreciate your ministry!
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thanks again!
I really love your lessons. I feel that they are easy for the children to relate to and understand. Thank you
Thank you for your lessons and material. I have bragged to our church leaders that your site is a great free resource for Children’s Leaders. I am proud that you are also a Hosier!
Thanks so much for that encouragement!
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