Garden of Gethsemane Sunday School Lesson

Toddler Sunday School Lesson Plan: Jesus Prays in the Garden

Lesson Title:

"Jesus Prays in the Garden"

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Bible Theme:

Jesus prayed and trusted God, even when He was sad and scared.

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Bible Verse (Toddler Version):

"Jesus prayed to God." – Matthew 26:39 (Simplified)

Optional: Add hand motions – fold hands when saying “prayed,” and point up for “God.”

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Bible Story (Toddler Version):

Jesus Prays in the Garden

One night, Jesus went to a quiet garden called Gethsemane. He knew something very hard was about to happen. Jesus felt sad and scared, so He prayed to God.

Jesus knelt down and said, “Father, if it’s possible, take this hard thing away. But I want to do what You want, not what I want.”

Jesus trusted God and wanted to obey Him, even though it was hard. After He prayed, His friends were sleeping, and soldiers came to take Jesus away. But Jesus was not afraid—He knew God was with Him.

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Activity:

Prayer Walk in the "Mini Garden"

Create a pretend “garden” in your room using green blankets, fake flowers, or paper trees. Walk quietly through the garden and pause to “pray” like Jesus.

Teach toddlers a simple prayer to say aloud:
“Thank You, God. Help me do what You want.”

You can even give each child a flower or leaf to hold while they pray.

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Craft:

“Jesus Praying in the Garden” Paper Plate Craft

Supplies:

Paper plates
Crayons or markers
Green tissue paper or construction paper for leaves
Printable picture of Jesus praying (or let kids draw Him)
Glue sticks

Instructions:

Color the paper plate like a garden – sky on top, grass or flowers below.
Glue green paper pieces as trees or bushes.
Add Jesus in the garden (color and glue the printable or draw their own version).
Write (or help them write) “Jesus prayed in the garden.”

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Song Time:

Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

🎵 In the garden Jesus prayed,
Jesus prayed, Jesus prayed.
In the garden Jesus prayed,
Because He loved us so! 🎵

🎵 He was sad but trusted God,
Trusted God, trusted God.
He was sad but trusted God,
And felt he should obey. 🎵

(Have the children fold hands when singing “prayed” and smile or hug themselves during “loved us so.”)

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Closing Prayer (Repeat-after-me style):

“Dear God,
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You that He prayed.
Help me pray to You too.
Help me trust You every day.
Amen.”

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Garden of Gethsemane Snack Idea: “Prayer Garden Cups”

What You’ll Need:

Clear plastic cups
Chocolate pudding (pre-made or pudding cups work great)
Crushed graham crackers or chocolate cookie crumbs (for “dirt”)
Green sprinkles or shredded coconut dyed green (for “grass”)
Gummy flowers or flower-shaped sprinkles
Pretzel sticks (optional: represent trees)
Small spoon

How to Make It:

Scoop pudding into each cup to fill about ¾ full — this is the “ground” of the garden.
Sprinkle crushed graham crackers or cookies on top for the “dirt.”
Add green sprinkles or dyed coconut for “grass.”
Decorate with gummy flowers or flower sprinkles to make it feel like a beautiful garden.
Stick in a few pretzel sticks to represent olive trees (optional, but fun!).
Serve with a spoon and talk about how Jesus went to the garden to pray.

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Talk Time While Eating:

As the kids eat their “Prayer Garden Cups,” say something like:

“This garden reminds us of the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus went there to pray because He was sad and wanted to talk to God. We can pray to God anytime too—when we’re happy, sad, or scared.”

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Optional Take-Home for Parents:

Title: Jesus Prayed in the Garden – Talk About It at Home

What We Learned Today:
Jesus prayed when He felt scared and trusted God’s plan. We can pray to God too!

Memory Verse (Toddler Version):
“Jesus prayed to God.” – Matthew 26:39

Try This at Home:

Take a walk outside and talk about how gardens are peaceful places to pray.
Pray together as a family – teach your child to talk to God when they feel sad, scared, or happy.
At bedtime, ask your child, “What would you like to pray about today?”

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