House on the Rock
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24–27 (NIV)
Now this is one my 3-year-old has on repeat! She loves it so much that she has the whole chapter memorized and trust me, if a preschooler can hide God’s Word in her heart, your little one can too. This passage is simple, powerful, and full of hands-on ways to help children understand what it means to build their lives on Jesus, our strong foundation. And the best part? You don’t need a long lesson or perfect quiet time just a few playful moments and open hearts.
Engage:
Here’s how to help them step into the story with simple, fun questions:
Show two objects: a rock and something soft like a stuffed animal. Ask:
“Which one is strong and which one is squishy?”
“If you built a house made of pillows… would it stay up in a storm?”
“What do you think Jesus wants us to build our lives on something strong or something wobbly?”
Keep it light. Keep it fun. Littles learn best when they’re giggling.
Apply: Connect to everyday life
“Building on the Rock” means listening to Jesus and doing what He says.
Give them simple, kid-size examples:
Choosing to worship:
Singing to God, dancing, or clapping during worship time.
Praying when scared or worried:
Whispering, “Jesus help me,” during a thunderstorm
Being a peacemaker:
Sharing the last toy even when they really want it
Letting a friend go first on the slide
Giving a sibling a turn instead of saying “mine!”
“When we do these things, we’re building our lives on Jesus - the strongest rock!”
Share a quick story from your own life when you chose to trust Jesus and He helped you stand strong when the winds blew against your house.
Repeat & Reinforce
Help the truth stick throughout the week:
Simple Daily Phrases
Say: “Strong like a rock!” when they make a good choice.
Say: “Wobbly like sand?” when something feels not-so-good (said playfully).
Hands-On Moments
Bath time: let them build a small “house” with foam blocks. Splash gently and say, “Uh-oh! The rain came down!”
Nature Walk Moment: Find big rocks outside and say, “Jesus is even stronger than this rock.”
Closing Thought
Tell your little one: “Jesus is our strong Rock. When we listen to Him and follow Him, we can stand strong no matter what comes.”
To help reinforce this story in a fun, hands-on way:
• Enjoy a quick 2 min video about the Two Builders: perfect for toddlers and young kids to visualize the story.
• If you’d like more fun, pair it with the House on the Rock activity sheet.
Love,
Gi 🤍
Two Builders Activity Sheet
Build big hearts on a strong foundation! Page 1 has a memory verse fill-in, a short reflection, and a mini prayer. Page 2 is a playful “Wise vs. Foolish Choices” game where kids match actions to the wise cloud or stormy cloud. Perfect for hands-on learning, family devotion time, and a little giggle-filled faith fun!
The Parable of the Two Builders - Based on Matthew 7: 24-29 and Luke 6: 46-49.
