The Friend at Midnight 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: “Knock, knock, knock at midnight!”
One day Jesus was praying. When he finished, one of his friends came to him. “Lord, teach us to pray,” he said.
So Jesus taught them how to pray. They should say, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.” Then Jesus told them a story.
A man had a visitor. His friend came to him late at night, after a long trip. But the man had no food in his house. He had nothing to give him!
Long ago, people baked fresh bread every day. At night, the bread was often all gone. And it was very important to give a visitor something to eat.
So the man went to his friend’s house. It was midnight. Everything was dark. Everyone was asleep. Knock, knock, knock at midnight! Can you knock on the table with me?
The man called out, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.” Lend means: give it now, and get it back later. Let’s count the loaves together: one, two, three! “A friend of mine has come to me from a journey. I have nothing to set before him.”
His friend called from inside, “Don’t bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you.”
Long ago, a whole family often slept together in one room. If the dad got up, everyone might wake up! Shh! The children were sleeping.
But the man did not give up. He kept on asking. Knock, knock, knock at midnight!
Jesus said the friend would get up at last. He would give him as many loaves as he needs. Why? Because of his persistence. Persistence means not giving up.
Then Jesus said, “Keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.” Can you do it with me? Open your hands for asking. Hand over your eyes for seeking. Knock in the air for knocking! Knock, knock, knock at midnight!
Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives.” Everyone!
Then Jesus asked a question. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” No dad would do that! Would a dad give a snake when his child asks for a fish? Of course not! A good dad gives good gifts.
Jesus said, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” The Holy Spirit is God himself. He comes to be with us and help us.
Our Father in heaven loves to give good gifts to those who ask him. God never sleeps. You can talk to him anytime, even in the middle of the night. Knock, knock, knock at midnight!
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think the man kept on knocking and asking?
- What would you like to ask God for today?
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)
Color the 3 loaves of bread the man asked for.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you” — Luke 11:9 (Keep knocking → knock in the air three times; it will be opened → open your arms like a door; to you → point to yourself)
Dear God, thank you that I can always ask you. Thank you for your good gifts. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Keep On Asking God
Memory verse: “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.” — Luke 11:9 · WEB
The Bible story
When a surprise visitor arrives at midnight, one kind man knocks and knocks on his neighbor's door for bread — and Jesus shows us why we keep asking God.
Talk about it
- What time of night did someone knock at the man's door? — At midnight
- Who came to the man's house at night? — A friend on a journey
- What did the man have to give his visitor? — No food at all
- Why did the man need bread in the middle of the night? — A good host feeds his guest
- Where did the man go to find some bread? — To his neighbor's house
- How many loaves of bread did the man ask for? — Three loaves
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus finished this story with a promise: if ordinary parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13). Jesus himself often went off alone to pray (Luke 5:16), and he taught his friends the Lord's Prayer just before telling this story (Luke 11:1–4).
What God wants to tell us
This little story shows us that God loves it when we talk to Him. The man did not give up, and neither should we. God is never too busy, too tired, or too far away to hear you. Whenever you are worried, happy, or need help, you can ask Him again and again — because God cares for you more than you could ever imagine, and He always listens with love.
Prayer
Thank You, God, that I can talk to You any time, day or night. Help me to keep on praying and never give up, even when I have to wait. Thank You for loving me and always listening. I know You are my very best friend. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
