Teaching Time

Encourage children to participate as much as possible as you tell the Bible story from the points below. Emphasize the words in black italic text, which correspond to an action or word for the children to imitate. Vary your facial expression, voice, and volume level to hold children's attention and interest.

● Place the bowl and container of coins on the table. Place the two pennies on the table aside from the larger coins.

● Place a chair beside you and in front of the table. Have children stand up to begin.

● Jesus and His disciples came into the Temple. Walk in place.

● Then they sat down near the collection boxes. Sit down in the chair and have children sit on the floor or chairs.

● There were many rich people who took coins from their money bags and dropped them into the boxes. Hold an imaginary bag in one hand and pull coins out to drop them into the imaginary collection box several times.

● The rich people were proud of how many coins they put into the boxes. Tilt head up and nod proudly.

● You could hear the clicking, clinking, and clanking of the coins as they dropped into the boxes. Children put hands over ears for a loud noise. Take handfuls of coins from the container, drop them into the metal bowl.

● Jesus and the disciples watched as, one by one, the rich people gave their offerings. Make binoculars with fingers and place over your eyes to watch.

● Then all by herself, a poor widow slowly walked to the offering boxes carrying a small money bag. Children stand up to walk slowly with head down.

● The widow took out one small coin and dropped it into the collection box. Take one penny and drop it into the metal bowl. The children act out doing this too.

● There wasn’t a loud clickety clank sound heard this time. Cup ear trying to hear.

● Then she took out a second small coin and dropped it into the box. Take one penny and drop it into the metal bowl. The children act out doing this too.

● There was no clicking or clanking heard from the second coin. Cup ear trying to hear.

● Nobody but Jesus even seemed to notice that she was there.

● Then the poor widow walked away. Walk in place slowly. The children do the same and then sit down.

● Jesus motioned His disciples to gather around Him. Motion for children to stand and gather around you.

● Then Jesus looked at His disciples and said, “This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. They have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she has given everything she has.”

Optional Review Questions

· Why was the widow’s small offering more than the other large offerings? She gave all she had. The others gave a little of all they had.

· How is a Temple like a church? People come to pray, give, worship, learn about God and serve God.

Jesus told His disciples that the widow gave everything she had as an offering to God. Isn’t that amazing? God gave a much bigger gift to us when He gave His only Son Jesus!

God gave His only Son because He loves us so much. Jesus gave His life on the cross to save us from our sins. When we share Jesus with others, it is the most generous gift we can ever give.