Teaching the Widow’s Gift Bible story to preschoolers helps the child understand generosity, sacrifice, and how God sees the heart. Discover simple, meaningful activities and teaching ideas to explain how the widow’s small offering mattered greatly to Jesus.
Scripture: Mark 12:41-43
The Beginner's Bible for Toddlers: pg 144-147
Through the Bible in Felt: pg 216
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
Deuteronomy 16:17 NIV
Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.
Psalm 41:1
Blessed is he who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
Matthes 6:19-21 NIV
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mark 10:21 NIV
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Original Source Unknown
Tune: Are You Sleeping?
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping? (hands my face as sleeping)
Little girl, little girl?
Jesus is coming, He will help you (march like Jesus is walking)
Now you're well, now you're well (smile)
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Color with broken crayons.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use or with a Current License Only
Free Coloring Sheets for Immediate Family Use: The Widow's Offering
Sponge paint the Tithe Poster using coin shaped (circle) sponges. Glue on a piece of construction paper.
Gather a quarter, dime, nickel, and penny. Discuss how each of the coins are different in size and worth. Notice how the coins have different designs for the head and tail. Tape each coin to the back of a piece of paper to hold in place. Flip over and color over each coin to create an impression. Flip the coins over to make an impression of the opposite side.
Draw a circle and have the child draw his/her face or body on it. Add the amount of the coin and the date (just like on a real coin).
Get ready for a Halloween experience that emphasizes faith with our Pumpkin Gospel Packet! This resource provides a word-for-word script for engaging pumpkin carving activities, delightful songs, and practical tips to share the message of salvation in a way that’s perfect for kids.
As a family choose a place to serve and give (i.e. Local Soup Kitchen, help an elderly neighbor, make cookies for someone, give to Good Will, Samaritan's Purse).
Further help the child understand the difference in the rich man's offering and the widow's by using money or tokens. Give one person many coins and the other person two. Have both put his/her offering in the box. Look at what is left in each pile. Discuss how the widow gave all while the rich man had much left.
The main point behind tithing is that all we have is not ours but God's. He asks that we give some back to Him with a happy heart.
Available in the New Testament Curriculum, 1 Year Interactive Bible Stories. and 2 Year Interactive Bible Stories.
