Gethsemane — Jesus Is Arrested 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: “Jesus chose to do what God wanted.”
After supper, Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives. That is a hill near Jerusalem, with many olive trees. Jesus often went there. His friends went with him. It was night. They came to a garden called Gethsemane.
Jesus said, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” He took Peter, James and John a little farther with him.
Jesus was very sad and troubled. He said, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful. Stay here and watch with me.” Exceedingly sorrowful means very, very sad. Watch means stay awake.
Jesus went on a little. He knelt down, and then he fell on his face to pray. Can you kneel and fold your hands? Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
The cup meant the hard thing that was coming: the cross. Jesus asked God to take it away, if it was possible. But most of all, he wanted what God wanted. Jesus chose to do what God wanted.
Then an angel from heaven came to Jesus. The angel made him strong.
Jesus came back to his friends. They were asleep! They were so sad that they fell asleep. Zzz. Can you make a sleepy snore? Jesus said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?” He said, “Watch and pray. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” That means: Your heart wants to stay awake, but your body is so tired.
Jesus went away and prayed again. “My Father, your desire be done.” Desire means what you want. Jesus chose to do what God wanted.
He came back, and his friends were asleep again. Their eyes were heavy.
A third time Jesus prayed the same words. Let’s count on our fingers: one, two, three times! Then Jesus said, “Arise, let’s be going.”
Just then Judas came. Judas was one of the twelve. A big crowd came with him, with swords and clubs. Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and he kissed Jesus. The kiss was a sign to show the men which one was Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then the men took hold of Jesus.
One of Jesus’ friends pulled out a sword. He cut off a servant’s ear! But Jesus said, “Put your sword back into its place.” And Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him. Even now, Jesus was kind.
Jesus said his Father could send many, many angels to help him. Thousands and thousands! But Jesus did not ask for them. He said all this had to happen, just as God’s Word said. So he let the men take him. Jesus chose to do what God wanted.
Then all his friends ran away. It was a very sad night.
But God had a plan to save us, and Jesus said yes. And on the third day, God raised Jesus to life again! Jesus chose to do what God wanted.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Jesus felt when his friends fell asleep?
- Why do you think Jesus healed the servant’s ear?
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 sleepy friends and the 3 times Jesus prayed.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Not my will, but yours, be done” — Luke 22:42 (not my will → hand on your chest, shake your head; but yours → point up high; be done → nod your head)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you said yes to God’s plan. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God is with us when we are sad
Memory verse: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42 · WEB
The Bible story
On a quiet night in a garden of olive trees, Jesus prayed while His friends fell asleep, and showed the greatest love the world has ever known.
Talk about it
- Where did Jesus and His friends go after supper? — A garden called Gethsemane
- Which three friends did Jesus take a little further into the garden? — Peter, James and John
- What did Jesus ask His friends to do? — Stay awake and keep watch
- What did Jesus do when His heart felt heavy? — He fell down and prayed
- What did Jesus say to God in his prayer? — I want what You want
- What were the friends doing each time Jesus came back? — Fast asleep
Where is Jesus in this story?
When the soldiers came, Jesus said he could ask his Father for more than twelve armies of angels (Matthew 26:53). He didn't. Earlier he had said that no one could take his life from him; he would give it up freely (John 10:18). In the dark garden Jesus chose the hard road on purpose, because he loved you and wanted to bring you home to God.
What God wants to tell us
In the garden, Jesus felt sad and worried, yet He did not hide His feelings. He took them straight to God and said, "I want what You want." That shows us we can bring our own worries to God any time, even at night, even when things feel hard. God does not turn away from our tears; He stays close and holds us. And just like Jesus trusted His Father, we can trust that God has a good and loving plan for us, even on the days we do not understand.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus loved me so much that He was brave in the garden. When I feel sad or scared, help me to talk to You just like He did. Thank You that You are always close and never leave me alone. I trust Your good plan for me. Amen.
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