Render to Caesar Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Free, Ages 3–6)
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 knew just what to say.”
Long ago, the Romans ruled the land where Jesus lived. Their great ruler was called Caesar. Caesar lived far away, in the big city of Rome.
Everyone had to pay taxes to Caesar. Taxes are money that people must pay to the ruler. Many people did not like that at all. Their money went far away to Rome.
Some leaders did not like Jesus. They met together and made a plan. They wanted to trick him with a hard question. So they sent some men to him. Some of them were friends of King Herod.
“Teacher, we know that you are honest,” the men said. “You teach the way of God in truth.” They said nice words. But they did not really mean them. Then they asked, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Lawful means allowed by God’s law.
It was a tricky question. If Jesus said yes, the people would be angry. If Jesus said no, Caesar’s soldiers would be angry. Uh-oh! What could Jesus say? Hmm! Can you make a thinking face?
But Jesus knew they wanted to trick him. Jesus knew just what to say.
Jesus said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?” Hypocrites are people who pretend. Then Jesus said, “Show me the tax money.” They brought him a coin. It was a silver coin called a denarius. One denarius was the pay for one day of work.
Jesus asked, “Whose is this image and inscription?” Image means picture. Inscription means writing. Can you hold a pretend coin in your hand and look at it closely?
“Caesar’s,” they said. The picture of Caesar was on the coin. And his name was written on it. Caesar’s face, and Caesar’s name!
Then Jesus said, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. And to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus knew just what to say.
The coin had Caesar’s picture on it. So the coin could go back to Caesar. And what belongs to God? The Bible says that God made people in his own image. That is a little like his picture. So many Bible teachers say: We belong to God!
Can you point to yourself? You were made by God. You belong to him. Every part of you – your eyes, your nose, your toes!
The men marveled. That means they were very surprised. They could not trick Jesus. His answer was wise and true. So they left him and went away. Jesus knew just what to say.
Jesus really did teach the way of God in truth. And God takes good care of all who belong to him. Tonight you can rest. You belong to God. Jesus knew just what to say.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think the men wanted to trick Jesus?
- What do you think belongs to God?
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 line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“To God the things that are God’s” — Matthew 22:21 (to God → point up high; the things → open your hands; that are God’s → hug yourself)
Dear God, thank you that you made me. Thank you that I belong to you. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Give God your whole heart
Memory verse: “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” — Matthew 22:21 · WEB
The Bible story
Clever men try to trap Jesus with a tricky money question, but His gentle, wise answer surprises everyone and points every heart back to God.
Talk about it
- Where did the men come to question Jesus? — In the temple courts
- What were the men secretly planning to do? — Trap Him with words
- How did the men speak to Jesus at first? — With flattering words
- Could Jesus tell what was really in their hearts? — Yes, He knew their trick
- What tricky question did the men ask Jesus? — Should we pay taxes to Caesar?
- What did Jesus ask them to show Him? — A coin for the tax
Where is Jesus in this story?
The coin carried Caesar's image, but you carry God's image (Genesis 1:27), and Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Days later, at His trial, enemies lied that Jesus told people not to pay taxes to Caesar (Luke 23:2). He had said the opposite. Jesus gave His whole self to God and calls us to belong to God too.
What God wants to tell us
Jesus showed us that we can be kind and fair to leaders and rules here on earth, and still give the biggest, most special part of ourselves to God. The coin had Caesar's picture on it, so it could go back to Caesar. But you have God's own picture inside you, because He made you with love. That means you belong to God! You can give Him your love, your prayers, your kindness and your happy heart, knowing He treasures every bit of you.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for making me and putting Your love inside me. Help me to be kind and fair to others, and to give You my whole happy heart every day. When things feel tricky, please fill me with Your wisdom, just like Jesus. I love You. Amen.
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