October 18, 2026 – Our Whole Lives Belong to God

“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” — Matthew 22:21

TODAY’S BIG IDEA

Religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a difficult question about taxes. Jesus asks them to look at a coin and gives a wise answer that points beyond money: our whole lives belong to God.

CORE TEACHING THEME

A coin carries a ruler’s image, but people are made in God’s image. Because we belong to God, we can think carefully, act honestly, treat every person with dignity, and make choices that honor Him.

LESSON SNAPSHOT

Total Time: 30–35 minutes Prep Time: 10–15 minutes Age Range: Kindergarten–5th Grade Main Passage: Matthew 22:15–22

SUPPLIES AT A GLANCE

• Bible
• Several coins
• Magnifying glass (optional)
• Paper circles
• Markers or crayons
• Pencils
• Index cards

5 min 10 min 7 min 7 min 3–5 min

5-MINUTE PREP

• Read the Wonder Truth and Big Idea above.
• Read Matthew 22:15–22 once.
• Gather coins and paper circles.
• Skim READ ALOUD, DO THIS, and ASK THIS boxes.
• Keep the lesson nonpartisan: focus on Jesus’ wisdom, belonging to God, human dignity, and faithful choices.

VOLUNTEER PREP

READ BEFORE CHILDREN ARRIVE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

People try to trap Jesus with a politically sensitive question about taxes. Jesus asks for a coin, points to the emperor’s image, and answers, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” For children, the most fruitful connection is identity: coins carry an earthly ruler’s image; people are made in God’s image and belong ultimately to God.

GRACE-CENTERED REMINDER

Belonging to God is not a threat. It is an identity of love and care. Children do not have to solve every difficult question correctly. Because they belong to God, they can stop, think, pray, seek help, and choose the next faithful thing.

THEOLOGY / SAFETY NOTE

Do not turn this into a partisan lesson about taxes, government, or current politics. Jesus is responding to a trap in Roman-occupied Judea. Keep the focus on His wisdom and the larger question, “What belongs to God?” When teaching “image of God,” emphasize the dignity and worth of every person.

LEADER PRAYER

God of wisdom, thank You that we belong to You. Help me teach children to think carefully, act honestly, and remember that every person has dignity because You made them. Keep our focus on Jesus and give us wisdom for difficult choices. Amen.

BIBLE BACKGROUND

The tax question was politically sensitive in Roman-occupied Judea and was designed as a trap. Jesus refuses the false choice. The coin’s image identifies earthly authority, while Scripture teaches that human beings are made in God’s image. This creates a rich connection: money may bear an emperor’s image, but people bear God’s image and belong ultimately to God.

KEY VOCABULARY

Image — a picture or likeness that represents someone or something. Tax — money collected by a government to support public needs. Emperor — the ruler of the Roman Empire. Belong — to be connected to or under the loving care of someone. Wisdom — knowing how to make a good and faithful choice.

BEFORE CHILDREN ARRIVE

• Place several coins where children can examine them safely.
• Set out a magnifying glass if available.
• Put paper circles, markers, and pencils together for later.
• Open your Bible to Matthew 22:15–22.
• Decide how you will collect coins after the curiosity activity.
• Remember: identity and wisdom, not politics, are the center of this lesson.

5 MINUTES | GET THEM WONDERING

PURPOSE

Use a familiar object to help children notice images and words, then prepare them for Jesus’ coin illustration.

BEFORE THEY ARRIVE

Place coins on a table. If using real coins, tell children they are for looking, not for tossing or taking.

LEADER SAYS

“Look closely at this coin. What can you learn about something by noticing the pictures, words, and numbers printed on it?”

DO THIS

1. Give children a coin to examine in pairs or small groups.
2. Ask them to identify the face/image, words, numbers, or symbols.
3. Ask why a government might put those things on a coin.
4. Collect the coins before moving on.

ASK

“Whose face or image do you see?” “What words or numbers are on it?” “Why do you think the coin has an image on it?”

LISTEN FOR

The image identifies who/what the coin represents; words tell where it came from or what it is worth; symbols communicate meaning.

ADAPT

K–2: Keep it visual: “Find a face. Find a number. Find a word.” Then say, “Jesus once asked people to look at a coin too.” Grades 3–5: Ask why people sometimes ask a question to learn—and other times ask a question to trap or embarrass someone.

TRANSITION

“The coin carried a ruler’s image. The Bible tells us that people are made in God’s image. Let’s hear how Jesus turned a tricky question about a coin into a much bigger truth.”

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Hold up one coin, ask who/what is pictured, and move directly to the story. Extra time: Compare two different coins and ask what their images tell you. Then ask: “Can you look at a person and see everything about their value?” Lead to the truth that dignity comes from being made by God, not appearance or achievement. Remember: Keep coins out of mouths and away from very young children. If your group includes preschool siblings, use large printed pictures of coins instead.

10 MINUTES | HEAR GOD’S WORD

PURPOSE

Show Jesus’ wisdom in a trap question and connect the coin’s image to the truth that every person bears God-given dignity.

PRAY

“Jesus, give us listening ears and wise hearts. Help us understand Your Word and make choices that honor God. Amen.”

BIBLE STORY — READ ALOUD

“Some religious leaders wanted to trap Jesus with a question. First, they tried to flatter Him. Then they asked, ‘Is it right to pay taxes to the emperor?’” “This was a tricky question. If Jesus answered one way, one group would be angry. If He answered another way, a different group would be angry. But Jesus knew what they were doing.” “He asked them to show Him the coin used for the tax.” Hold up a coin and say: “Jesus asked, ‘Whose image is this? Whose name is on it?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’” “Then Jesus said, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ The people were amazed by His answer.” “Jesus showed great wisdom. He did not let people force Him into their trap. But He also made everyone think about a bigger question: What belongs to God?” “The Bible tells us that human beings are made in God’s image. That means every person has worth and dignity. The coin carried the emperor’s image, but you carry God’s image. Your whole life belongs to God.”

PAUSE AND ASK

Ask: “What parts of our lives can honor God?” Take several answers. Then ask: “If another person is made in God’s image too, how should that affect the way we treat them?”

LISTEN FOR / IF QUIET

Words, choices, friendships, honesty, time, abilities, kindness, worship; treat people with respect, fairness, kindness, protection, and dignity. If quiet, ask: “Would making fun of someone fit with remembering they are made by God?”

MAIN TRUTH

“We belong to God, and our choices can honor Him. That does not mean every choice is easy. Sometimes faithful people have to think carefully. Jesus shows us wisdom: listen to God, refuse to be pushed into a wrong choice, and remember who you are.”

WORD OF WONDER

“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” — Matthew 22:21

MEMORY MOTIONS

GIVE — extend hands forward. EMPEROR — point toward the coin. GOD — point upward. GOD’S — place both hands over your heart.

CHECK UNDERSTANDING

1. Who tried to trap Jesus? — Religious leaders.
2. What object did Jesus ask to see? — A coin.
3. Whose image was on it? — The emperor’s.
4. Whose image do people bear? — God’s.

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Tell the story, make the image-of-God connection, and practice the memory verse once. Extra time: Ask older children to name a situation where the wise answer may not be the fastest or most popular answer. Remember: If children move toward political opinions, say: “Those are questions adults may disagree about. Today our focus is the bigger truth Jesus points us toward: we belong to God, and our choices can honor Him.”

7 MINUTES | PRACTICE THE TRUTH

PURPOSE

Give children a repeatable decision-making pattern for real situations where wisdom, honesty, courage, and dignity matter.

K–2 DISCUSSION

Ask: What did Jesus ask to see? Who made you and loves you? What is one choice that can honor God? How should we treat other people if they are made in God’s image too?

GRADES 3–5 DISCUSSION

Ask: Why was the leaders’ question meant to trap Jesus? What does it mean to say your life belongs to God? How does remembering another person bears God’s image change how you treat them? What helps you make a wise choice when friends pressure you?

FAITH PRACTICE

WISE CHOICE CARDS

DO THIS

Read each situation. Ask, “What would be true, loving, and wise?” Then teach the four-step pattern: STOP — do not react too fast. THINK — what is true and loving? PRAY — ask God for wisdom. CHOOSE — do the next faithful thing.

SITUATIONS

• A friend wants you to blame someone else for something you did. — Tell the truth, accept responsibility, and ask for help making it right.
• Someone new is sitting alone. — Notice them, say hello, and invite them in if it is safe and appropriate.
• You find money that does not belong to you. — Turn it in to a trusted adult or responsible person.
• A group is making fun of another child. — Do not join in; support the child and get adult help if needed.
• You are angry and want to say something cruel. — Pause, step away if needed, pray, and choose honest words that do not attack the person.
• A friend pressures you to do something you know is wrong. — Say no, leave the situation, and seek a trusted adult if needed.

LEADER SAYS

“Belonging to God does not mean we always know the perfect answer immediately. It means we can stop, think, pray, remember who we are, and choose a way that reflects Jesus. When a situation is unsafe or confusing, asking a trusted adult for help is a wise choice too.”

TRANSITION

“Now we’ll make a reminder of the identity behind those wise choices: you are made in God’s image, and your life can honor Him.”

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Use only the first, fourth, and sixth scenarios, then practice STOP–THINK–PRAY–CHOOSE once. Extra time: Let older children suggest one peer-pressure scenario and walk through the four steps together. Remember: Do not imply that children must handle unsafe situations by themselves. Wise choices can include leaving, saying no, and getting help.

7 MINUTES | MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE COIN

PURPOSE

Create a simple take-home object that connects identity (“I am made in God’s image”) with practice (“My life can honor God”).

SUPPLIES FOR THIS ACTIVITY

Paper circles; markers or crayons; pencils.

DO THIS

1. Give each child a large paper circle.
2. SIDE ONE: Write “I am made in God’s image.” Children may add their name or draw themselves.
3. SIDE TWO: Write “My life can honor God.” Add one wise choice to practice this week.
4. If time allows, decorate the edge like a coin—but do not draw a picture of God.

WHILE THEY WORK

Say: “A coin’s value does not come from how shiny it is. Your value does not come from being the best at something. You have dignity because God made you and loves you. Other people have dignity too.”

ADAPT

K–2: Allow drawing instead of writing. Offer simple choices to draw: telling the truth, helping, sharing, praying, using kind words. Grades 3–5: Add: “Because others are made in God’s image, I will ______.” Encourage a specific action: “I will stop joining in when someone is mocked,” or “I will include someone new.”

FINISH EARLY

On the edge, write the four words: STOP — THINK — PRAY — CHOOSE.

IDENTITY CONNECTION — READ ALOUD

“You have dignity because God made you and loves you. Other people have that dignity too. Because we belong to God, we can use our choices to honor Him and protect the dignity of others.”

GROUP RESPONSE

Leader: “Whose image do we bear?” Children: “God’s!” Leader: “Whose are we?” Children: “We belong to God!”

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Write only the two side statements and one wise choice. Skip decorating. Extra time: Have children pair up and share one wise choice they wrote, without forcing anyone to share publicly. Remember: Be careful with the phrase “made in God’s image.” It does not mean God looks physically like us; it speaks to our God-given dignity and calling.

3–5 MINUTES | SEND THEM WITH THE TRUTH

WONDER TRUTH

We belong to God, and our choices can honor Him.

LEADER REVIEW — READ ALOUD

“People tried to trap Jesus with a question about taxes. Jesus answered wisely and used a coin to point toward a bigger truth. The coin carried an emperor’s image. We are made in God’s image. Our whole lives belong to God, and our choices can honor Him.”

QUICK REVIEW

• What did Jesus ask the leaders to show Him? — A coin.
• Whose image was on the coin? — The emperor’s.
• Whose image do people bear? — God’s.
• What is one wise choice you can make this week? — Any specific true, loving, safe, faithful choice.

WORD OF WONDER — ONE LAST TIME

“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” — Matthew 22:21

TAKE-HOME CHALLENGE

When you face one difficult choice this week, remember four words: Stop. Think. Pray. Choose. Tell someone at home how remembering that you belong to God helped you decide what to do.

CLOSING PRAYER

“God, thank You for making us in Your image and loving us. Give us wisdom when choices are difficult. Help us be honest, kind, courageous, and fair. Teach us to remember that every person has dignity because they are made by You. May our choices honor You this week. Amen.”

DISMISSAL

As each child leaves, say: “You belong to God. Choose what is true and loving.”

VOLUNTEER HELP

If the group gets loud: Say, “Freeze and find my eyes.” Wait quietly, then repeat the Wonder Truth together. If no one answers: Give two choices or offer your own example first. If one child answers everything: Say, “Thank you. I want to hear from someone who hasn’t shared yet.” If a child shares something serious: Listen calmly. Do not promise secrecy. Follow your church’s child-safety procedures and notify the appropriate ministry leader. If time runs short: Keep the Bible story, Wonder Truth, and closing prayer. Everything else may be shortened.

AFTER CLASS

Reset the supplies and room. Report any safety concern or important disclosure. Remember one thing that worked well.

Connection matters more than perfect execution. Be calm, caring, and point children toward Jesus.