This free Bible lesson will help preschoolers learn what it means to follow Jesus. We’ve included several learning activities, but we would love to hear your suggestions to make this lesson even better. Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
Lesson Title: The Narrow Gate and the Wide Gate
Bible Reference: Matthew 7:13-14
Target Age Group: Preschool
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: One Hour
Memory Verse: “But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:14
Gospel Connection: This passages teaches us that the way to Heaven is not always an easy one. Preschool aged children are just at the age where they are beginning to understand that doing what they want is not always what is best for them. This doesn’t change as they get older. It is easy to follow our own will, but hard to give up everything and follow God’s will. Giving up everything to follow God’s will is the narrow road in life. It is difficult but worth the end result, which is Heaven with our Heavenly Father.
Learning Aim:
- Children will learn that it is not always easy to do the right thing.
- Children will learn that if they follow Jesus’ path they will inherit Heaven.
Basic Supply List:
- Bible
- Paper plates
- Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils
- Glue
- Construction Paper
- Toothpicks
- Tape
- Several large and small pieces of paper.
Note: In the teaching plan below the words in italics are meant to be read aloud. The regular text is simply directions for the teacher.
> > > > Basic Teaching Plan < < < <
Introduction: Begin the lesson by singing The Narrow Gate. Lyrics are listed below and it is sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Enter through the narrow gate
The narrow gate that leads to life
For wide is the gate and broad is the road
That will lead to destruction
Enter through the narrow gate
The narrow gate that leads to life
Biblical Evidence: Begin by reading Matthew 7:13-14. Say, In this story Jesus is talking about two gates. One is very big and easy to take. The other is small and hard to find. Maybe it has lots of twists and turns, or uneven bricks on the road. The big, broad gate leads to destruction. The small, narrow gate leads to life. Jesus is really talking about our lives. It is easy to live life when we do everything we want to do, but it is not easy to do things that are good for us that we don’t like to do.
Imagine that you see your friend across the street. Running across the street to see your friend when cars are coming is like taking the wide road. It’s not good for you. Taking the broad road is like seeing your friend and just waving to them and not getting to talk to them, even if you really want to.
Now imagine that you are at the dinner table and refuse to eat the broccoli and chicken that your mom made for you because you want to Cheetos and ice cream. If you choose to just eat the chicken and broccoli even though you hate the taste of it, then you are taking the narrow road. It is good for you because you need to protein and vitamins that you are getting from the healthy food. Taking the wide road is like throwing a fit until you get your way and you get to eat Cheetos. It tastes good, but it will make you unhealthy and it will make your mom unhappy.
Jesus wants us to follow the narrow gate because it will lead us to him. What are some ways that we can do this? At this point, allow the class to discuss as little or as much as needed.
Happy Path, Sad Path: First, give each child a paper plate. On one side they will draw a happy face and on the other they will draw a sad face. You can make the plate decorating as simple or elaborate as you want. Then the plates are finished tell the children that you will give them examples of things that happen in their lives. If the situation is following the narrow path, they will show the happy face. If the situation is following the broad path they will show the sad face. Discuss each situation to make sure that the children understand the rational for each situation.
- You are standing on the street corner and you see your best friend on the other side of the road. You run across the road to say hi to your friend. Sad Choice.
- Your mom just finished making a cake and put it on the counter. You go over to the cake and stick your finger into the icing. Sad choice.
- Your friend is building with blocks and you walk over to them and knock down the tower that they just built. Sad choice.
- You knock down the tower that your friend just built with the blocks, but then go back and say you are sorry and help them pick the blocks back up. Happy choice.
- Your dad drops five dollars on the floor when he gets home from work. You take it and give it back to him. Happy choice.
- When you are playing basketball in the house you accidentally break your mom’s dishes. You go and tell your mom what happened and that you are sorry. You take money out of your piggy bank to help buy new dishes. Happy choice.
- You are very loud and yell when you are at church and the pastor is preaching. Sad choice.
- Your best friend makes you very angry so you call them a mean name. Sad choice.
- Your best friend makes you very angry and you just walk away and do not let it bother you. Happy choice.
- Your favorite cartoon is on TV on Sunday mornings and you skip it every week so you can come to church and learn more about Jesus. Happy choice.
Great lesson! Thank you for sharing! I am using it in Children’s Chapel.