Anna and Simeon - Luke 2:21-41

Idea 1

Ask yes and no questions to Anna and Simeon.

  • Ask one leader to be Anna and another to be Simeon.

  • Let the kids ask yes and no questions to both Anna and Simeon and see how much they can find out in 5 minutes.

  • Write down everything on a large piece of paper, or let the kids write down what they find out as you go.

Idea 2

Talk about promises.

  • Think of a story from your own life when someone promised you something and then it came true. Share it with the kids.

  • Ask the kids to think of a time when someone promised them something and then it came true.

  • Talk about how the one person who always keeps their promises is God.


Idea 3

Chant “God keeps His Promises”

  • Have the kids chant “God keeps His promises”

  • They can do it while jumping up and down, running across the room, doing jumping jacks, pushing a chair etc.


Idea 4

Bible Promises Falling From the Ceiling

  • Write out some bible promises, fold them up and put them into balloons. (Psalm 136:1, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 121:2)

  • Blow up the balloons and tape them to the ceiling.

  • Give the kids a pen and one at a time, let them pop a balloon and watch the promise fall.

  • Read each of the promises and talk about what they mean.


Idea 5

Read different statements and decide if they are about Anna and Simeon.

  • Write down on a board two different columns one with Anna and the other with Simeon.

  • Read through these statements and decide who they are about.


Idea 6

Reminders that God keeps His promises

  • Give the kids small pieces of paper and ask them to write “God keeps His promises” on each one.

  • Ask the kids to put these pieces of paper all over their houses so they can remember throughout the week that God keeps His promises.

Idea 7

Tell the story to the kids using messages in envelopes

  • before you begin, put the Simeon and Anna pages into envelopes. Label each envelope with the title on each page.

  • Sit down with the kids and begin telling the story.

  • Say something like “After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple to present Jesus to God and to make a sacrifice. That’s how they did things…when the first baby boy was born in a family they needed to present their baby to God and make a sacrifice (two doves or two pigeons).

  • Ask the kids what they would choose the doves or the pigeons?

  • Then say something like “Could you imagine going to the temple to present God to God?” Let the kid’s comment on this thought.

  • Then continue with the story “When Mary and Joseph got to the temple they were met by two different people. One was a man named Simeon and the other was a lady named Anna….let’s start with Simeon”

  • Use the three envelops about Simeon to help tell the story.

  • Explain that Simeon was given a promise. Ask one kid to open the promise envelope and read it. Then go through quickly what it means.

  • Explain that Simeon gave a little speech when he saw Jesus. Open and read the “Speech” Envelope

  • Explain that Simeon said a bit more and gave a blessing. Open and read the blessing envelope.

  • Then move onto Anna

  • Say “let’s find out a bit about Anna” then open and read the “Who is Anna” envelope.

  • Then find out what Anna did by reading the “what did Anna do” envelope.


Kindergarten and grade 1

Grades 2,3

Grades 4,5