The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) Sunday School Lessons for Kids

Life’s not fair, but Jesus promises something better. These lessons are based on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16. This passage reminds us that people have always expressed anger for what seems unfair. It also reminds us that God’s view of “fair” is not the same as our human understanding, and that’s actually quite a positive thing for us. As forgiven people, we don’t get what we deserve—and that saves our souls!

Use these free Bible lesson to teach kids in your Sunday School class the meaning of mercy and forgiveness. We’ve included complete teaching plans, game suggestions, craft ideas, and bonus coloring page. Simply download the PDF files below.

Kids’ Bible Lessons from Matthew 20:1-16

Bonus Teaching Ideas

Bible Crafts on the First Shall Be Last

Use these Sunday School crafts to help kids the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard found in Matthew 20:1-16. Download the printable directions below, gather your craft supplies, and watch our demonstration video as you prepare to teach.

Children’s Sermon Demonstration Teaching

This children’s sermon will teach kids the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard found in Matthew 20:1-16. Download the printable teaching notes below, gather your object lesson props, and watch our demonstration video as you prepare to teach.

Coloring Pages for Sunday School

J is for Jesus coloring pagePin

Matthew 20:1-16 ESV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Matthew 20:1-16

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