Free Bible lesson for kids · Ministry in Galilee
The Widow’s Son at Nain
Jesus met a funeral at the gate of Nain. A widow’s only son had died. Jesus had compassion on her, touched the bier, and said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise,” and he sat up.
- Bible passage
- Luke 7:11–17
- Big idea
- Jesus cares when we are sad, and He has power over death.
- Memory verse
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Luke 7:16 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
Jesus went to a city called Nain, with His disciples and a large crowd (Luke 7:11). Near the city gate, they met people carrying out a young man who had died. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow (Luke 7:12). When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Weep not” (Luke 7:13).
Jesus came and touched the bier, the frame they carried him on, and the men carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise” (Luke 7:14). The young man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother (Luke 7:15). Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God, saying, “God hath visited his people” (Luke 7:16). The news about Jesus spread through all the land (Luke 7:17).
Read it in the Bible: Luke 7:11–17 (KJV)
11And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
Questions to ask
Who was crying at the gate?
A widow whose only son had died.
What did Jesus say to her first?
“Weep not.”
What happened when Jesus spoke to the young man?
He sat up and began to speak.
What this story teaches
- Jesus sees our sadness and has compassion on us (Luke 7:13).
- Jesus has power over death itself (Luke 7:14–15).
- Jesus can give life just by speaking a word (Luke 7:14–15).
- Jesus cares for widows and families who are grieving (Luke 7:12–13).
- When Jesus works, people give glory to God (Luke 7:16).
Jesus Is the Resurrection
Jesus raised the widow’s son with just a word. He is the resurrection and the life, and whoever believes in Him will live.
John 11:25
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank Jesus that He cares when we are sad. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Jesus cares when we are sad, and He has power over death.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Luke 7:16 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors or out · about 8 minutes
Arise!
You need: Nothing
- Everyone lies down still.
- When the leader says “Arise!”, everyone jumps up and cheers. When the leader says “Lie down”, everyone lies down again.
- Try to trick them with words that sound close: “A rice!”, “A prize!”
Jesus had compassion on the widow and said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” And he sat up!
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes
Comfort Cards
You need: Card stock, markers, the names of widows or grieving families in your church
- Talk about how Jesus noticed the widow and had compassion on her.
- Make cards with an encouraging verse and a personal note.
- Deliver them, or take them to the pastor to pass on.
Jesus sees people who are hurting. We can be His hands and voice of comfort.
Pray
Thank Jesus that He cares when we are sad.