Harvest Time Children’s Bible Lesson with Fun Crafts & Games Based on Matthew 9:37–38
LESSON OVERVIEW
Theme: Trusting God and Helping Others
Big Truth: God’s harvest is ready, and He invites us to be part of His work.
Key Scripture: Matthew 9:37–38
Pillar Focus: Voice — Responding to God’s call to share His goodness and love with others.
1) INTRODUCTION
Have you ever helped pick fruits or vegetables from a garden or farm? It’s exciting to gather fresh food that can be shared with family and friends. Jesus used the idea of a harvest to teach us about sharing God’s love and helping people so they can know Him. Today, we’ll learn that God’s “harvest” — meaning all the people ready to hear about His love — is all around us! Jesus tells us to pray that God sends workers to gather His harvest, and that includes YOU!
2) GAME: HARVEST RELAY RACE
Say This: Kids, who's ready for a fun relay race? Yes! Let’s dive in.
Materials:
Paper fruits and vegetables
Two baskets or boxes
Open space for running or walking
Instructions:
Split the children into two teams.
Scatter paper fruits or vegetables on one side of the room.
Each child takes turns running to collect one piece and bring it back to their team’s basket.
The team that fills their basket first wins!
Teaching Moment: Kids, just like you helped collect fruits, God wants us to help gather His harvest by sharing His love and kindness with others! Who is ready to help gather the harvest? Let’s say yes by worshipping Jesus together!
3) PRAISE & WORSHIP
Instructions: Some of these songs would work for preschoolers, and others would work for elementary kids! During this worship time, share a testimony of how you (as a leader or parent) are gathering the harvest for Jesus.
“Here I Am, Lord” — Kids version
“I’m in the Lord’s Army” — VeggieTales Kids
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” — Hillsong Kids
“This Little Light of Mine” — Elevation Worship Kids
“We Are the Church” — Group Publishing Kids
Leader Tip: Encourage your kids joyful clapping, marching, and celebrating God’s call!
4) BIBLE STORY ACT-OUT: HARVEST TIME — GATHERING GOD’S GOODNESS
Characters Needed:
Narrator
Jesus
Disciple 1
Disciple 2
(Optional: Several "Crowd Members" for dramatic effect)
Bible Story: The Big Harvest
Narrator:
Today, we’re going to hear an amazing story — not just about plants or farming, but about how God cares about every person on earth. Jesus teaches us that the real “harvest” is people — hearts ready to know God’s love! Let’s see what happened…
Scene 1: Jesus Sees the Crowd
(Jesus enters a bustling town. Children can play the crowd; everyone moves, talks, acts busy.)
Narrator:
Jesus was walking through a large town that buzzed with people. Some were shopping, some were laughing, others looked sad or tired. As Jesus saw all these people, His heart was filled with compassion. He knew they needed help, hope, and someone to show them God’s love.
Scripture – Matthew 9:36–38 (read aloud):
"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.""
Jesus (to the crowd):
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Narrator:
Jesus looked at the many people all around Him. Some were lonely, some were searching for hope, others didn’t know God’s love at all. He knew they needed someone to share the truth with them.
Scene 2: Jesus Talks to His Disciples
(Jesus gathers His disciples—a few children or leaders come forward.)
Jesus (turns to disciples):
"Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His harvest field."
Disciple 1 (looking confused):
"What does Jesus mean by 'harvest,' Lord?"
Disciple 2 (thoughtful):
"Maybe He means there are people ready for God's love? Ready to follow Him?"
Jesus (smiling):
"Yes! The true harvest isn’t wheat or corn—it's people ready to belong to God! I need helpers to share my love. Will you pray, and will you help too?"
Scene 3: Imagining the Harvest
(Children hold up gold or yellow scarves, streamers, or pretend to be waving wheat.)
Narrator:
Jesus helped His friends picture a field—tall with golden wheat, heavy and ready to be brought in. The farmer knows he can't do it alone. He needs many helpers to bring the harvest safely so nothing is lost.
Jesus:
"I am calling you to pray for more helpers—and to be helpers! The world is full of people who need to know the Father’s love."
Scene 4: Our Response
Narrator:
God’s harvest is all around us—even today! When we pray and say “yes” to Jesus, we become part of His team. Every kind word, every act of kindness, every time we share God’s story—we are helping to gather God’s great harvest!
Jesus (to everyone):
"You don’t have to be a grownup or a preacher. You just need a heart willing to pray, to love, and to share."
Pause here and Discuss:
Kids, what does it mean to be a worker in God’s harvest?
How can we share God’s love with people around us this week?
Key Scripture:
"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.'" (Matthew 9:37–38)
Leader’s Wrap-up: God’s harvest is people whose hearts are ready for His love—and Jesus wants us, no matter how young, to help pray, love, and gather them in. Will you say yes to being His helper today? *wait for your kids to respond, and let your volunteers / leaders pray for them. This would be a phenomenal ministry moment!
4) CRAFT: HARVEST HELPER PUPPET
Materials:
Paper handprints (pre-cut or traced by children)
Markers, crayons, stickers, googly eyes
Craft sticks or popsicle sticks
Small paper baskets (printed or handmade)
Glue or tape
Instructions:
Children decorate handprints as “harvest helpers” using colors, stickers, or drawings that represent kindness and helping.
Attach each handprint to a craft stick to create a puppet.
Provide paper baskets for children to decorate. On their basket, kids write or draw ways they will help share God’s love (e.g., “help a friend,” “pray for someone,” “share Jesus’ love”).
Use puppets and baskets during group prayer where children imagine “gathering” their prayers and good deeds into their decorated baskets.
Teaching Moment: Our hands are tools God uses to help others and share love. Every little act counts toward God’s big harvest!
6) SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Instructions: Gather your kids into small groups of 3-5 (depending on your volunteers / leaders). This small group time would work just as perfect at home as well.
What did Jesus mean by “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”?
How can you be a harvest worker for God today?
What is one way you want to share God’s love this week?
Why do we pray for more harvest workers?
How does it make you feel to know God wants YOU on His team?
7) PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for the big harvest ready to know You. Help us be workers who share Your love every day. Teach us to pray, use our hands, and speak Your message joyfully. Use us to bring many people into Your family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
8) FINAL THOUGHT FOR PARENTS AND LEADERS
This lesson invites children into the joy of serving God by being active in His harvest. Encourage families to pray daily for harvest workers, look for ways to share God’s goodness, and use the Harvest Helper Puppet craft as a daily reminder of their important role.