The Beatitudes — Blessed Are You Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Blessed, blessed, blessed are they!”
Many, many people came to Jesus. They came from towns near and far. So Jesus went up onto a mountain. He sat down. Long ago, teachers sat down when they taught. His friends came close to him. Then Jesus began to teach them.
Jesus said, “Blessed are…” again and again. Blessed means God is good to you and gives you his gifts. It is a very happy word. Can you say it? Blessed!
First Jesus said this. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Poor in spirit means people who know they need God. The Kingdom of Heaven is where God is King. Blessed, blessed, blessed are they!
Some people are very sad. Maybe someone they love has died. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” To mourn means to be very sad. God will comfort them. He will make them feel better, like a big hug.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” Gentle people are soft and kind. Can you stroke your arm very gently? Inherit means to get something as a gift that will be yours.
Next Jesus said this. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Righteousness means what is right and good. Think of a hungry tummy. Grrr! Some people want what is right as much as a hungry child wants food. God will fill them up! Blessed, blessed, blessed are they!
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Merciful people are kind when someone needs help, or when someone did something wrong. And God will be kind to them too.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Pure in heart means a clean heart that loves God. One day they will see God! Blessed, blessed, blessed are they!
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” A peacemaker helps people stop fighting. A peacemaker helps friends be friends again. And God will call them his children!
Let’s count the blessings on our fingers. The poor in spirit, one. Those who mourn, two. The gentle, three. The hungry and thirsty, four. The merciful, five. The pure in heart, six. The peacemakers, seven!
Jesus also said something about mean people. Some people would be mean to his friends, because they loved Jesus. But even then, God would bless them.
Jesus said, “Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” Rejoice means be full of joy. A reward is a good gift that God keeps ready for you.
God gives good gifts to his children. He is good to you, tonight and always. Blessed, blessed, blessed are they!
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How could you be a peacemaker when two friends are fighting?
- Who could you comfort when they feel sad?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a peacemaker helping two friends be friends again.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” — Matthew 5:9 (Blessed → hands on your heart; the peacemakers → shake hands with someone; children of God → point up, then hug yourself)
Dear God, thank you for all your good gifts. Thank you that I can be your child. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God blesses gentle hearts
Memory verse: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9 · WEB
The Bible story
One sunny day Jesus climbs a green hill and shares a happy secret: God has a special blessing for gentle, kind, hopeful hearts like yours.
Talk about it
- Where did Jesus go to teach the people? — Up on a mountainside
- What did Jesus do before He began teaching? — He sat down
- Which word begins each of these sayings of Jesus? — Blessed
- What did Jesus say belongs to the poor in spirit? — The kingdom of heaven
- What did Jesus promise to people who are sad? — They will be comforted
- What did Jesus say the gentle (the meek) will receive? — The earth
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus did not only teach about gentle, humble, peace-loving hearts, He showed us exactly what one looks like. He was kind to the forgotten, comforted the sad, and made peace between us and God. On the cross, Jesus gave up everything so that we could be called God's children forever. When we follow His gentle way, we are following Jesus Himself, the greatest peacemaker of all.
What God wants to tell us
On the hillside, Jesus showed us that God sees the people the world often forgets. God is close to those who feel small, sad, gentle, or kind. You do not have to be the loudest, richest, or strongest to be special to God. When you trust Him, show mercy, and make peace, you are living inside God's happy blessing. God's love turns the whole world upside down with kindness, and there is a beautiful place in His kingdom made just for you.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for loving gentle and kind hearts. Help me to trust You when I feel small, to comfort others when they are sad, and to be a peacemaker who helps friends make up. Please make my heart clean and kind, just like Jesus. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
