Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross 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: “Simon carried the cross behind Jesus.”
Simon came from Cyrene, a city far away across the sea, in Africa. He had two sons, Alexander and Rufus. From Cyrene to Jerusalem is a long, long trip. Maybe Simon had come all that way for the feast.
It was the time of the Passover feast. Jerusalem was full of visitors. People came from many lands to worship God at his house. One day Simon was coming into Jerusalem from the country. He was just passing by.
That day there was a big crowd in the street. Soldiers were leading Jesus out of the city. Jesus was going to the cross. A cross is made of big, heavy wood. At first Jesus carried his own cross. Maybe he was too weak to carry it any farther.
Two other men were led out with Jesus. They had done bad things. But Jesus had done nothing wrong.
The soldiers grabbed Simon. They laid the cross on him, to carry it after Jesus. Simon did not choose this job. But now he walked right behind Jesus. Simon carried the cross behind Jesus.
Step by step. Can you put something heavy on your shoulder? Now walk slowly. Step, step, step.
Many, many people followed Jesus. Some people just stood and watched. Some women were crying for him.
Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me.” Weep means to cry. Even now, Jesus thought about others. Simon carried the cross behind Jesus.
Simon walked on and on, behind Jesus, all the way out of the city. They came to a place called the Skull. In their language it was called Golgotha.
There they put Jesus on the cross. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” To forgive means to let go of the wrong and love again. Later Jesus called out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” He gave himself into his Father’s hands.
Jesus died on the cross. His friends were very, very sad. They laid his body in a brand-new tomb, a grave cut in the rock.
But three days later, God raised Jesus to life again! Jesus was alive! Can you lift your hands high and say, “Jesus is alive!”?
Simon had walked very close to Jesus that day. People remembered his name, and the names of his sons. Let’s count them: Simon, Alexander, Rufus – one, two, three! Simon carried the cross behind Jesus.
Years later, Paul wrote a letter to friends in Rome. He sent a greeting to a man named Rufus and to his mother. Maybe that was Simon’s son! Nobody knows for sure.
Jesus carried our sins on the cross, to save us. And Simon walked with him, step by step. Simon carried the cross behind Jesus.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Simon felt when the soldiers grabbed him?
- When have you helped someone carry something heavy?
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 Simon and his 2 sons, Alexander and Rufus.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus” — Luke 23:26 (laid the cross on him → hands on your shoulder; to carry it after Jesus → walk in place)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you went to the cross for us. Thank you that God raised you up again. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Small acts of kindness matter
Memory verse: “When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus.” — Luke 23:26 · WEB
The Bible story
On a busy morning in Jerusalem, a kind traveler named Simon is picked from the crowd to carry a heavy cross for Jesus, and his whole day changes.
Talk about it
- Where did Simon come from? — Cyrene
- Where was Simon coming from when the soldiers stopped him? — In from the country
- What was Jesus carrying down the road? — His cross
- Who followed Jesus, crying for Him? — Many women
- Who told Simon to help? — A soldier
- What did the soldier ask Simon to do? — Carry the cross
Where is Jesus in this story?
Luke tells us the soldiers put the cross on Simon and made him carry it behind Jesus (Luke 23:26). Earlier Jesus had said that anyone who wants to follow him must take up their cross every day and follow him (Luke 9:23). Simon did that for real on the road. Jesus carried our sins all the way, and he invites you to walk behind him.
What God wants to tell us
God shows us that even a simple act of helping can be part of something wonderful. Simon did not plan to help Jesus that day, yet when he stepped forward and carried the heavy cross, he became a part of the greatest story of love. When we help someone who is tired or hurting, God is pleased, and our own hearts grow warm and full. No kind deed is ever too small for God to see and use.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Jesus, who loves me so much. Help me to be like Simon and step forward to help others, even when it is hard. Make my heart warm and kind, and thank You that Jesus rose again and is alive. Amen.
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