Luke 12
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Jesus was outside. Lots and lots of people came to listen. So many that they almost stepped on each other! Jesus told them a story about a farmer.
The farmer had a big field. And in that field grew lots of grain. So much grain! The farmer looked at it all and thought: "Wow. What shall I do with all this?"
Then he had an idea. "I know! I will build bigger barns. Really big ones. Then I can put everything inside. And then I can eat and drink and be happy for a long, long time."
But that night God spoke to the farmer. God said: "Dear farmer. Tonight you will fall asleep and not wake up. And all your grain? Who is it for now?"
The farmer had forgotten something very important. He had forgotten God.
What Does This Mean?
Then Jesus looked at all the people. And he said something wonderful. "Look at the birds! They fly through the sky. They do not have a barn. They do not have a field. But they always have enough to eat. Because God feeds them."
"And look at the flowers in the grass! They are so pretty. Even prettier than a king in his shiny clothes. God made them like that."
Jesus said: "You do not have to worry. God knows you. God knows what you need. Every day."
The Common Thread
Jesus wants to say something to every child listening. And to you too.
God is like a good father. He sees you. He knows when you are hungry. He knows when you are cold. He knows when you are sad. And he takes care of you.
You do not have to be scared. You do not need a big pile of stuff. You have God. And that is enough.
For You
Look outside sometime. Do you see a little bird? That little bird does not worry about anything. It just chirps. And it finds food. Every day.
Do you see a flower? God made that flower. So beautifully! With colors and soft petals.
Now think: God made you too. Even more beautifully than a flower. And God takes care of you every day. Of your food. Of your bed. Of your mama and papa. Of everything.
You may just be a child. And that is good. You do not have to fix everything yourself. God does that.
Every morning when you wake up, you can say: "Good morning, God! Thank you for this day."
Talk About It
What do you think the little birds eat? And who takes care of that?
What is something you are happy about today? Something God gave you?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank you for the birds. Thank you for the flowers. Thank you that you see me. I do not have to worry. Because you take care of me. Every day.
Amen.
Questions about Luke 12
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Luke 12 about?
What does Luke 12 say?
What does Luke 12 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Luke 12?
Why is Luke 12 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Thousands pressing in, trampling each other to reach him, and Jesus turns to his own friends first: "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." The bigger the crowd, the louder the pull to perform. And yeast is never loud. It just spreads, quietly, until the whole loaf tastes of it. Where is it working in you?
Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?" Jesus asks this while pointing at ravens and lilies. Notice He doesn't shame your worry, He simply exposes how powerless it is. All that mental energy spent rehearsing tomorrow, and not one inch to show for it. What could you do instead with those hours?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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