Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
Scripture: Matthew 26:47-68, John 18:1-14
Theme: Jesus was betrayed but He went willingly
Age Group: Nursery (Ages 0-2)
Overview
“Jesus Loves You Too!” “Jesus knew He’d be taken, but He trusted God, just like you trust Daddy and Mommy!” “God loves you so much, even when things are hard, Jesus always went with His heart!” (End with a gentle hug and whisper:) “You’re safe with God today!” Optional reflection: children can draw a picture of Jesus helping their friends, then share one way they can help someone else this week. This extra activity supports the lesson’s theme and gives teachers a simple, lowprep option for extending the discussion.
Bible Story
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
One night, Jesus went with his friends to pray. A friend named Judas hid near them and whispered, “Lord, will you kiss me?” Jesus said, “Of course, I will!” Judas gave him a kiss.
The men grabbed Jesus and took him away. They tied him so he couldn’t run. The soldiers asked, “Who is it?” Jesus didn’t say anything. His friends, the disciples, all hid in fear.
God loves you so much, just like He loved Jesus. Even when we are small and scared, His love is always there to hold us. He will never let us go.
This story shows that God’s love is strong, even when things seem hard. No matter what happens, Jesus trusted God, and so can we!
Activities
Supplies:
- Trace the Kiss: Pour a little glue on the plate, let kids trace their fingerprints (their “kiss”) to make a heart shape.
- Retell the Story: Say, “Jesus gave a kiss to show He loves you. He did it even when He was sad.” (Use a sad face).
- Draw Jesus: Give crayons and say, “Draw Jesus’ face! Remember, He loves you more than all the kisses in the world!”
- Close with Love: Glue the tracing heart to their paper and say, “God’s love is like this kiss, He loves you always!”
- “Love Jar” (Sensory & Sharing Circle)
- Activity uses a jar to show how God’s love is always near, even when things get hard.
- Fill the Jar: Fill the jar with 3, 4 small “love” items (e.g., blue pom-poms = sky, red = heart). Add glitter glue for sparkles.
- Sing the Song: Say, “God’s love is like this jar, full of happy things!” Sing:
- “Love is like a jar, full of happy things,
- God loves you, so don’t be afraid!”
- Shake & Share: Let kids shake the jar while you point to items: “God’s love is in the sky (blue), in the heart (red)…”
- End with Love: Hold up the jar and say, “Jesus was betrayed, but God’s love never leaves you. He loves you now, just like He loved Jesus!” Let them hug a stuffed animal or friend.
- Notes:
- For babies: Focus on touch (e.g., pat their back while saying “God loves you”).
- For toddlers: Use extra repetition of “Jesus loves you” and let them “help” with the jar (pouring, shaking).
- Keep stories simple: “Jesus gave a kiss. God loves you. Always.”
Discussion Questions
- Here are four simple open-ended questions to help little ones explore God’s love through the story of Jesus being betrayed and arrested:
- “Jesus loved everyone, just like you love your mommy and daddy. How can we show God we love Him too?”
- (Let them repeat: “God loves me!” and point to their heart.)
- “Sometimes people are sad because they don’t understand or trust God. What can we do to be kind like Jesus?”
- (Say: “Even when others act differently, we can still be loving!”)
- “Jesus trusted God even when it was hard. How can we trust God, just like Jesus?”
- (Repeat: “God is always with us!”)
- “When Jesus was arrested, He didn’t fight back. What does that teach us about how to handle big feelings?”
- (Say: “Sometimes we can be brave and kind, just like Jesus!”)
- Each question encourages them to share thoughts while keeping it gentle and age-appropriate.
Prayer Focus
“Dear God, we thank You for Your love, It’s so kind to be with us all day. Jesus is your dear friend today, And we love You, Lord, so very much.” (Optional repeat: “God loves me, God loves me…”)
Missions Spotlight
In many cultures, betrayal by a friend is the deepest wound. Missionaries working in tribal areas of Papua New Guinea, where tribal betrayal has been common, share that Jesus understands betrayal , and forgave even His betrayer.
To the Cross
Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Peter drew a sword to fight. But Jesus said, ‘Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?’ Jesus went to the cross willingly. No one took His life , He laid it down.
Teaching Tips
- Form Small Groups: Divide the class (ages 3-10) into mixed-age colla
- Engage Younger Students with Sensory Play: For children ages 3-5, in
- Reinforce Lessons with Songs: Integrate repetitive songs to solidify
- Guide Handling of Hard Questions: Provide age-appropriate strategies
Family Take-Home
Here’s a simple summary for families: “Even though Jesus loved everyone, Judas betrayed Him with a kiss for just 30 silver coins, leading to His arrest. Jesus faced danger peacefully, trusting God to protect Him, while His friends fled in fear (Matthew 26:47, 68, John 18:1, 14).”