Free Bible lesson for kids · Jesus Is Born
Wise Men Follow the Star
Wise men from the east saw His star and came to Jerusalem; then the star went before them to Bethlehem. They found the young child with Mary in a house, worshipped Him, and gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh.
- Bible passage
- Matthew 2:1–12
- Big idea
- Jesus is worthy of our worship and our best gifts.
- Memory verse
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:2 (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
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” They had seen His star and had come to worship Him (Matthew 2:1–2). King Herod was troubled. The chief priests told him the prophet had written that Christ would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:3–6).
Herod sent them to Bethlehem. He said he wanted to worship the child too, but really he wanted to destroy Him (Matthew 2:8, 13). The star went before the wise men until it stood over where the young child was, and they rejoiced with exceeding great joy (Matthew 2:9–10). They found Him with Mary His mother, worshipped Him, and gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home another way (Matthew 2:12).
Read it in the Bible: Matthew 2:1–12 (KJV)
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Questions to ask
What led the wise men?
His star, which they saw in the east.
What three gifts did they bring?
Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
How did they go home, and why?
Another way, because God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
What this story teaches
- Jesus is the King, worthy of all our worship (Matthew 2:2, 11).
- God’s Word told exactly where His Son would be born (Matthew 2:5–6).
- God guides people who truly seek Jesus (Matthew 2:9).
- Finding Jesus fills our hearts with great joy (Matthew 2:10).
- We give Jesus our very best because He deserves it (Matthew 2:11).
Jesus Is the World’s Saviour
Wise men came from far away to worship Jesus. The Father sent His Son to be the Saviour of the whole world.
1 John 4:14
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Give God our worship and our best. |
|---|---|
| 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 is worthy of our worship and our best gifts.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Matthew 2:2 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 10 minutes
Follow the Star
You need: A big paper star on a stick, a box with a picture of a house, bean bags as gifts
- One child holds the star high and leads. Everyone follows, copying the leader’s moves: camel walk, climbing hills, tiptoeing.
- When the star stops over the house, everyone kneels and places a gift.
- Pass the star to a new leader.
The wise men followed the star all the way to Jesus, and when they found Him, they worshipped.
For youth group · game · outdoors · about 20 minutes
Glow Star Hunt
You need: Glow sticks, a question tied to each one, flashlights, an outdoor area at dusk
- Hide glow sticks around the area, each with a question about the wise men.
- Teams search with one flashlight. A glow stick counts only when the team answers its question.
- Most points when the whistle blows wins.
The wise men searched hard for Jesus. Anyone who truly seeks Him will find Him.
Pray
Give God our worship and our best.