Opening song and prayer
2 minSing Families Can Be Together Forever (Children's Songbook 188), then invite a child to offer the opening prayer.
The Overflowing Cup
4 minPlace ten small items on the table. Explain that if you had ten cookies and wanted to show gratitude to God, one would be tithing.
Put one item in a clear cup labeled 'Trust the Lord.' Slowly pour water into the cup until it overflows into a plate underneath.
Say that Malachi taught God will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings. Tithing is not about guilt or pressure. It is about trusting that the Lord takes care of us when we put Him first.
- What happened when we kept pouring water into the cup?It overflowed. There was more than the cup could hold.
- Is tithing about being scared that God will be mad if we forget?No. For children it is about learning to trust Heavenly Father and say thank you with our choices.
- Who decides how a family pays tithing?Parents. Children can learn the principle and practice with their own small amounts if their family teaches it that way.
Malachi taught the Lord loves His people
6 minMalachi was the last prophet in the Old Testament. Near the beginning of his book the Lord says: I have loved you, saith the Lord.
Some people had started giving offerings that were not their best. Malachi called them back to honest, grateful worship. The Lord wanted their hearts, not just their leftovers.
- What does the Lord say in Malachi 1:2?I have loved you, saith the Lord.
- Why was the Lord unhappy with some of the offerings?People were keeping the best for themselves and giving what was not honest or sincere.
- Does the Lord love us less when we make mistakes?No. He loves us and invites us to come back to Him.
- How do you feel when someone says 'I love you' at the start of a hard conversation?It helps you listen because you know they care about you, not just about the mistake.
Tithing is trusting the Lord
6 minMalachi asked the people to bring their tithes to the storehouse and test the Lord's promise. God said He would open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings.
For children, tithing is simple: when we receive something, we give one tenth back to the Lord as a thank-you. It is not your job to worry about your family's money. It is your job to learn gratitude and trust.
- What did Abigail choose to do with her money?She paid tithing first, even when she wanted something else.
- Was paying tithing easy for her?No. She had to choose between what she wanted and what she knew was right.
- What is one tenth of ten coins?One coin.
- Why is tithing about trust and not fear?Because we believe Heavenly Father will take care of us when we put Him first, even if we do not see how yet.
Turning hearts to family and to Christ (optional)
optionalMalachi prophesied that Elijah would come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. That promise is about family history, temple work, and love that lasts beyond this life.
Elijah came to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple. He restored keys so families can be sealed forever. When we learn about ancestors, our hearts turn toward them and toward Jesus Christ.
- What does it mean to turn hearts to the fathers and children?Families care about each other across generations. We learn about ancestors and help them through temple work.
- Why is a welding link a good picture for sealed families?Welding joins metal so it does not come apart. Temple sealing joins families forever.
- What is one ancestor or family story you know?Let children answer. A grandparent's mission, an old photo, or a name they have heard at the temple.
In the scriptures
5 minRead these together and talk about them.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
- What does 'prove me' mean here?Try it and see. The Lord invites us to trust Him and watch what He does.
- What image does 'windows of heaven' give you?Blessings pouring down, more than we can hold, like the overflowing cup.
- What is one way you can show gratitude to the Lord this week besides tithing?Let children answer. Prayer, service, keeping the Sabbath, or a kind note to someone.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
- Who did Malachi say would come?Elijah the prophet.
- What would Elijah help hearts do?Turn toward each other, fathers and children, linking families together.
- How can you turn your heart to your family this Christmas week?Let children answer. Ask about ancestors, help a sibling, write a note to a grandparent, or look at family photos.
Heart links
optionalGive each child a strip of paper to write the name of a family member or ancestor they love.
Link the strips into a paper chain while you talk about Malachi's promise that hearts turn toward each other.
Hang the chain in the classroom or let children take one link home as a reminder to ask about family stories this week.
Latter-day Kids lesson bundle and coloring pages for this week