Bonus videos and free resources for the Great Give Back children’s ministry curriculum (4 weeks · Kids & PreK). Four Bible stories about thankful hearts and giving hands: the widow’s two small coins, churches overflowing with joy, a room for Elisha, and the first church family sharing.
📖 Memory Verse: Acts 20:35
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35, BSB)
Week 1: The Widow’s Two Small Coins (Mark 12:41–44)
Week 2: Churches Overflowing with Joy (2 Corinthians 8:1–9)
A related video: Jesus gave everything for us, and God loves a cheerful giver. It is the same joyful giving Paul saw in the poor churches of Macedonia.
Week 3: A Room for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8–17)
A related story: Abraham runs to welcome three visitors and serves them a meal, and God promises a son, much like the woman of Shunem who made room for Elisha.
Week 4: The First Church Family Shares (Acts 4:32–37)
A related video: kids explain the first church, Jesus’ followers who shared with each other, loved each other and prayed for each other.
I’m Thankful (for elementary kids), KidSpring
Every activity in the Great Give Back curriculum is complete on paper. The videos and links on this page are optional extras, and every week stands alone. Find thousands more free lessons, crafts, and coloring pages at Ministry-to-Children and Sunday School Works.
Week by week
A short teacher's guide to each week of Great Give Back: what the week teaches, what to get ready, and one tip for small classes.
Week 1: The Widow's Two Small Coins (Mark 12:41–44)
Big idea: God sees the heart behind every gift, even the smallest one.
Memory verse: Acts 20:35 (BSB), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." King James edition: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This is the verse for all four weeks. Hang the poster from the Series Overview where everyone can see it.
Before Sunday
- Read Mark 12:38–44 in your own Bible so you know the whole scene.
- Print the Teacher Edition once and one handout set per child: the coloring page, both puzzle levels, the take-home page and the tracing page for younger writers.
- Gather twelve books or blocks for the object lesson.
- For the Two Coins Card, get copy paper, tape and two coins for every two children.
- Peel the paper off one crayon for every two children.
Small-church tip: If you teach alone, tape the coins to the table just before the craft, two for every two children. Partners share each pair of coins, so they help each other with the rubbings while you help with the folding.
Preschool: The Lady with Two Little Coins. I can give to God, even something small.
Week 2: Churches Overflowing with Joy (2 Corinthians 8:1–9)
Big idea: God's grace fills His people with joy that overflows into giving, even when they have little.
Memory verse: Acts 20:35 (BSB), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Same verse as last week. Say it together once after the prayer.
Before Sunday
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:1–15. This week is a letter, not a story, so know where Paul is going before you read it aloud.
- Print the handouts again. This week's puzzle is a crossword.
- For the object lesson, set a small cup in a baking dish, with a full pitcher of water and a towel.
- Cut one long and three short paper strips per child for the Overflow Cup. The lesson gives the sizes.
- Get a paper cup per child, plus markers, tape and pencils for curling the strips.
Small-church tip: With only a few kids, give every child a turn as the pourer in the Fill It Up game. Then make an Overflow Cup alongside them and write your own three gifts from God.
Preschool: The Happy Givers. I can give with a happy heart.
Week 3: A Room for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8–17)
Big idea: God is generous to us, so His people open their hearts and make room to welcome others.
Memory verse: Acts 20:35 (BSB), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Third week with the same verse. By now some kids can say it without the poster, so let them lead it.
Before Sunday
- Read 2 Kings 4:8–17. The lesson saves the family's hard day later in the chapter for another time, but know it in case a child asks.
- Pack a small shoebox full with about ten mug-sized things, and keep one mug out.
- Print the handouts. This week's puzzle is a maze, so have pencils with erasers.
- For the paper room craft, get construction paper, scrap paper, scissors, glue sticks and markers.
- Write the craft's words big on a large sheet of paper everyone can see. The lesson tells you what to write.
Small-church tip: This week works well with mixed ages. Let an older child call a round of Make the Room. For preschoolers, cut their craft furniture ahead of time or let them tear the paper.
Preschool: A Little Room for Elisha. I can make room for someone new.
Week 4: The First Church Family Shares (Acts 4:32–37)
Big idea: When God's grace is on His people, they share, because giving is more blessed than receiving.
Memory verse: Acts 20:35 (BSB), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Last week with the verse, and this time the story ends on it, with Paul reminding church leaders of Jesus' own words. Ask a few kids to say it from memory.
Before Sunday
- Read Acts 4:32–37 and Acts 20:35.
- Crumple one scrap-paper ball per child, plus three spares, for the opening game.
- For the gift tag craft, punch a hole near one end of each index card and cut a piece of yarn per child.
- Set out scissors, markers and tape.
- Write the verse words big on a large sheet for the kids to copy.
Small-church tip: Short on time? The Bible story and Give Back Talk carry the lesson in about 20 to 25 minutes. If something has to go, drop the game and keep the Closed Hand, Open Hand object lesson. It takes five minutes and one paper ball.
Preschool: God's Family Shares. I can share what I have.
Why I made this unit
Years ago I wrote this on the blog:
Today we are going to learn about being thankful and how God wants us to have attitudes that appreciate the good things he has given us.
That is still why I made Great Give Back. A thankful heart comes first, and giving grows out of it. I wanted four Sundays that show kids God gave us His best gift in Jesus, so we give too. Tony Kummer
