The Widow's Offering
Mark 12:38-44; Luke 21:1-4 New Testament PrincipleGenerosity
At the temple, Jesus watched people put money into the offering box. Rich people gave lots of money. Then a poor widow gave two tiny coins. Jesus said she gave more than all of them, because she gave everything she had. God sees our hearts, and He loves when we give with love.
God gave us everything, even His Son, and He sees every heart. We give generously, not to look good, but because we love and trust Him.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Sin makes us grab and keep. Jesus, who owned everything, gave His whole life for us, and His love makes us generous too.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Who gave more?
- Dasch’s Dig Site (bible-times history): Tiny coins
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Into the treasury
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I give to God with love!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Two little coins, Color the widow
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus watched people give money at the temple. Rich people gave lots, but a poor widow gave two tiny coins. Jesus said she gave more than everyone, because she gave all she had. God sees our hearts, and we give with love because He gave us everything.
Start here
Ask, "If you had one cookie and gave it away, and I had 100 cookies and gave away 10, who gave more?" Let them think. Say, "Jesus answered a question just like that. Let's see what He said."
Bible story 6 min
Jesus was teaching at the temple in Jerusalem. He sat down across from the offering box. He watched people give.
Rich people came. They dropped in lots of big coins. Clink! Clank! Clunk! Everyone could hear.
Then a poor widow came. Her husband had died. She did not have much money.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: A large jar, Pennies
- Choose Jesus, the widow, the disciples and the rich people.
- Act out the skit. The rich people drop in lots of pennies loudly; the widow drops in two quietly.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
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3rd – 4th grade
Jesus watched rich people give large amounts while a poor widow gave two tiny coins, everything she had. He said she gave the most, because God measures gifts by the heart and what they cost. Jesus gave His whole life for us, so we give generously out of love and trust.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Three kinds of hearts, Into the treasury
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with friends, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
In the temple courts, Jesus contrasted showy religious leaders who exploited widows with a poor widow who quietly gave her whole livelihood. God measures generosity by the heart and the cost, not the amount. Days later Jesus gave His whole life, and His self-giving love makes us generous.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The economy of the heart, Where's my treasure?
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, with friends, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Generosity
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Jesus the KingJesus Feeds 5,000John 6:1-14; 2 Kings 4:42-44When a huge, hungry crowd followed Jesus, a boy shared five small loaves and two fish, and Jesus gave thanks and fed everyone, with twelve baskets left over.New TestamentGenerosity
The Church BeginsThe Church SharesActs 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37The first Christians loved each other so much that they shared everything they had. They ate together, prayed together and made sure no one was in need. Barnabas even sold a field and gave the money to help.New TestamentGenerosity
A Beautiful Gift: Mary Anoints JesusJohn 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9Six days before the Passover, Jesus' friends in Bethany gave a dinner for Him. Martha served, and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, sat at the table. Then Mary brought a jar of very expensive perfume worth about a year's pay. She poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, and the whole house was filled with the fragrance. Judas complained that it was a waste. But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful deed to Me." Jesus is worth our very best.New TestamentGenerosity