Use this page each week to plan this Sunday’s Sunday school class or the children’s sermon in your worship service. This Sunday is October 18, 2026. The Revised Common Lectionary gospel is Matthew 22:15-22, where Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar. This page gives you a short story summary, the big idea for kids, three discussion questions, and our free Sunday school lesson and children’s sermon on the passage. It updates every Monday for the Sunday ahead.
Many of the teachers who write to us are the only teacher their church has. One told us she teaches alone and takes every bit of help she can find. Another found two free printables late on a Saturday night. She wrote back that she had been stressed out, and now she was at ease. This page is built for that Saturday night, with everything for this Sunday in one place.
This Sunday’s Lesson: Matthew 22:15-22, Taxes to Caesar (October 18, 2026)
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Gospel reading: Matthew 22:15-22 (Revised Common Lectionary, Year A)
Also told in: Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:20-26
The Story of Matthew 22:15-22 in Short, for Teachers
The Pharisees want to trap Jesus, so they send their followers with the Herodians (Matthew 22:15-16). They praise Jesus and then ask if it is right to pay taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:16-17). Jesus sees their evil plan. He asks for a tax coin and asks whose picture and name are on it (Matthew 22:18-20). They say “Caesar’s,” and Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They are amazed and walk away (Matthew 22:21-22).
The Big Idea for Kids: You Belong to God
Caesar’s picture was on the coin. God’s image is on you (Genesis 1:27). So you belong to God. None of us gives ourselves to God the way we should. But Jesus gave all of himself for us on the cross. He paid what we owed so we could come home to God.
Free Lesson and Children’s Sermon for Matthew 22:15-22
- Sunday school lesson: Render Unto Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22) Sunday School Lessons and Activities, with two lesson PDFs, a coloring page, an object lesson video and coin crafts.
- Children’s sermon: Whose Is It? Children’s Sermon (Matthew 22:15-22), a coin object lesson with a full script and a short prayer.
- Printable lesson (sold in the store): Render Unto Caesar printable Bible lesson for ages 6 to 12, in NIV, KJV or ESV.
Three Discussion Questions on Matthew 22:15-22
- The men asked Jesus a trick question. How did Jesus answer without falling into their trap? (Matthew 22:18-21)
- Caesar’s picture was on the coin. Whose image is on you? (Genesis 1:27)
- We don’t always give ourselves to God. What did Jesus give so we could belong to God?
Coming Up: Sunday School Lessons for the Next Five Sundays
Plan ahead with the next five Revised Common Lectionary gospel readings and our matching lessons.
- October 25, 2026: Matthew 22:34-46, The Greatest Commandment. Love God, Love People Sunday School Lesson (Matthew 22:34-40)
- November 1, 2026 (All Saints): Matthew 5:1-12, The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 Sunday School Lesson
Regular Sunday reading: Matthew 23:1-12. - November 8, 2026: Matthew 25:1-13, The Ten Bridesmaids. Be Ready for Jesus: Parable of the Ten Virgins Sunday School Lessons
- November 15, 2026: Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Talents. Blessings with a Purpose: Parable of the Talents Bible Lesson
- November 22, 2026 (Christ the King): Matthew 25:31-46, The Sheep and the Goats. Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) Sunday School Lessons and Activities
How to Use This Weekly Sunday School Lesson Page
Bookmark this page and come back each week. It changes every Monday to show the coming Sunday.
- Read the short story summary to get the passage in your head.
- Say the big idea out loud a few times. It is the one line kids should take home.
- Open the lesson or the children’s sermon and pick what fits your time and your class.
- Use the three questions at the end of class or on the drive home.
What Is the Revised Common Lectionary?
The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year plan of Bible readings for every Sunday. Many Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches read the same passages on the same day. Year A reads mostly from Matthew, Year B mostly from Mark, and Year C mostly from Luke. Year B starts on November 29, 2026, the first Sunday of Advent.
Does Your Church Not Follow a Lectionary? This Page Still Works
You don’t need to follow a lectionary to use this page. Each week is a complete Bible story with a lesson, a children’s sermon and questions. Use it when you need a lesson fast, or follow along to walk through the Gospels with your kids.
Free Sunday School Sample Lessons for Any Week
Need a lesson with nothing to plan? We made two free sample packs you can print today. The free Kids Curriculum Sample Pack has four complete Sunday school lessons for ages 6 to 12. Each one has a supply list, a Bible story script, a game, an object lesson, a craft, a coloring page, a word search and a parent take-home page. For ages 3 to 5, the free Preschool Curriculum Sample Pack has six lessons.