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Jesus Cleanses the Temple Craft for Kids

A free Jesus cleanses the temple craft for kids in three levels. Turn the paper table over on a brad by the money poured out (John 2:15). Free template.

Preschool–Grade 5

Jesus Cleanses the Temple Craft for Kids
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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages
Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5)
Time
15 to 30 minutes
Scripture
John 2:13–17
Bible story
Jesus Cleanses the Temple

What you need

  • The printed template (page 2), one per child (cardstock is sturdiest)
  • 1 brad (paper fastener) per child
  • A sharp pencil for poking the brad holes (grown-ups only)
  • Crayons or markers in light brown, gray, yellow, light blue, green and brown
  • Scissors and a glue stick
  • The printed animals page (page 3), one per child (harder level)

Steps

  1. Color the card: the roof and pillars light brown, the steps gray, the coins on the floor yellow, the sky outside light blue, the grass green and the road light brown. Leave the inside of the temple white.Color the card: the roof and pillars light brown, the steps gray, the coins on the floor yellow, the sky outside light blue, the grass green and the road light brown. Leave the inside of the temple white.
  2. Color the table brown.
  3. Cut out the card, the table and the verse strip on the dashed lines.
  4. A grown-up pokes a small hole with a sharp pencil through the black dot on the table and through the black dot on the card.
  5. Push the brad through the table's dot, then through the card's dot. Open its legs flat on the back of the card. Check that the table turns.
  6. Glue the verse strip on the back of the card, next to the brad. Read it together.
  7. Tell it: turn the table so it stands on its legs. The changers of money were sitting there (John 2:14). Jesus "poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables" (2:15): turn the table over, legs up, and point to the money on the floor.Tell it: turn the table so it stands on its legs. The changers of money were sitting there (John 2:14). Jesus "poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables" (2:15): turn the table over, legs up, and point to the money on the floor.

This Jesus cleanses the temple craft turns one printed page and a brad into the moment Jesus "poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables" (John 2:15). Kids color the temple, the money on the floor and a paper table, then fasten the table to the card with a brad so it turns. Stand it up, then turn it over, legs up, as you read the story. The memory verse, John 2:16, goes on the back.

The finished craft, easy and medium level

The finished craft, harder level

What it looks like finished: easy and medium (first photo) and harder (second photo).

Why this craft works

  • Cheap and simple: one printed page, one brad, a glue stick, crayons and scissors.
  • Kids act out the story with their hands: the table stands, then it is overthrown and the money lies poured out on the floor (John 2:15).
  • It shows what Jesus said: God's house is not "an house of merchandise" (2:16).
  • It stays gentle: no one is drawn, the scourge isn't drawn, and Jesus is not drawn.
  • It carries the verse home: John 2:16 (KJV), the memory verse for the whole set, is glued on the back of the card.

Three ways to make it

  • Easy (preschool, ages 3–5): you cut out the pieces and fasten the table with a brad. Kids color and turn the table over. No scissors.
  • Medium (grades K–2): the craft in the first photo. Kids color, cut out the pieces, push the brad through and glue the verse strip on the back.
  • Harder (grades 3–5): the craft in the second photo. Kids also color and cut out an ox, a sheep and two doves from page 3 and glue them outside the temple, because Jesus "drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen" (John 2:15).

Questions to ask

While kids work, ask what feast was near (John 2:13), what Jesus found in the temple (2:14), what He made and what He did with the money and the tables (2:15), what He said to them that sold doves (2:16) and what His disciples remembered (2:17). Then read John 2:16 together.

Tips for the classroom

Poke the brad holes yourself with a sharp pencil. For preschoolers, cut out the pieces and fasten the brads ahead of time, so all they do is color and turn the table over. Cardstock keeps the table sturdy on the brad. The Bible says Jesus drove them out (John 2:15); it doesn't say He struck anyone, so keep the telling simple and true.

Teaching the story first? Use the free Jesus cleanses the temple lesson and the word search.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a simple Jesus cleanses the temple craft for preschoolers?

Cut out each child's card and table ahead of time. Preschoolers color them, then you poke the holes and fasten the table to the card with a brad. Kids turn the table over while you read John 2:15. It takes about 15 minutes with no cutting by the kids.

How much does this Jesus cleanses the temple craft cost?

Under 50 cents a child: one printed page, one brad (paper fastener), a little glue and crayons you already have. The template is free to print. The harder level adds a second page.

What Bible verse goes with this craft?

John 2:16 (KJV), "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." It is the memory verse for the whole Jesus Cleanses the Temple set, and it is printed on the verse strip that kids glue on the back of the card.

How can older kids make this craft harder?

Use the harder level for grades 3–5. Kids also color and cut out an ox, a sheep and two doves from page 3 and glue them outside the temple, on the road and the grass, because Jesus "drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen" (John 2:15).

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