The Two Sons 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: “Who did what his father asked?”
Jesus was teaching in the temple, God’s big house in Jerusalem. Many people came to listen. Then some leaders came to him. They were important men at the temple.
They asked Jesus, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?” Authority means the right to be in charge. They wanted to know who let Jesus teach and do these things.
Jesus said, “I also will ask you one question.” He asked them about John the Baptist. John was a man who called people to turn back to God. He baptized them in the river – he dipped them in the water. Jesus asked: Was John sent by God, or not?
The leaders talked and talked among themselves. Then they said, “We don’t know.”
So Jesus did not answer their question either. Instead he said, “But what do you think?” And he told them a story.
A man had two sons. The father had a vineyard – a big garden full of grapes. There was a lot of work to do there.
The father came to the first son. “Son, go work today in my vineyard.” But the first son said, “I will not.” No, no, no! Can you shake your head like the first son?
But afterward the first son changed his mind. He thought about it again. To change your mind means you think again and choose something new. And off he went to the vineyard after all. Can you march to the vineyard, like the first son? March, march! Who did what his father asked?
Then the father came to the second son. He said the same thing. “Son, go work today in my vineyard.” The second son said, “I’m going, sir.” Yes, yes, yes! Can you nod your head like the second son?
But the second son did not go. He said yes, but he stayed away. He did not do the work. Maybe the father waited and waited. But the second son never came.
Let’s think. Which son said yes? The second son. Which son really went? The first son! One son said no, but he went. One son said yes, but he did not go. Who did what his father asked?
Jesus asked the leaders, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” The will of his father means what his father wanted. Did the father want a nice yes? Or did he want the work done? What would you say?
The leaders said, “The first.” They were right! The first son changed his mind and went. Who did what his father asked?
Then Jesus told the leaders something surprising. Some people had done many wrong things. But when John came, they believed him. They turned back to God, like the first son. But the leaders did not believe John.
God is glad when people turn around and come to him. Who did what his father asked?
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think the first son changed his mind?
- How do you think the father felt when the first son came to work?
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)
“Afterward he changed his mind, and went” — Matthew 21:29 (afterward → tap your head and think; he changed his mind → turn around once; and went → march in place)
Dear God, thank you that you are glad when we come back to you. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Memory verse: “Be doers of the word, and not only hearers.” — James 1:22 · WEB
The Bible story
Two brothers hear the very same request from their loving father, but only one truly obeys — discover which son learns that actions speak louder than words.
Talk about it
- How many sons did the kind father have? — Two
- What kind of garden did the father own? — A vineyard
- What did the father ask his first son to do? — Work in the vineyard today
- What did the first son say at the start? — I will not.
- What did the first son do later? — He changed his mind and went
- What did the second son say to his father? — I will, sir.
Where is Jesus in this story?
In this story, neither son was perfect. One said no and then obeyed; the other said yes and then didn't go. Jesus is the only Son who said yes to his Father and really did it, all the way to the cross. He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Because he obeyed, we can be made right with God (Romans 5:19).
What God wants to tell us
Jesus shows us that God cares most about what we actually do, not just the nice things we say. It is easy to say yes and then forget, but real love rolls up its sleeves and helps. And if we ever say no at first, like the first son did, God is always happy when we change our minds and come back to do the right thing.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for loving me just like the kind father in the story. Help me not only to say yes to you, but to really do the good and loving things you ask. And when I get it wrong, help me to change my mind and come back to you. Amen.
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