Role:
Matthias was a follower of Jesus who got picked to join the twelve disciples after Judas Iscariot
left.
Message:
God chooses us to help Him, even if we’re new or waiting for our turn!
Context:
Matthias wasn’t one of the original twelve disciples Jesus called—like Peter or Matthew—but he
was there from the beginning, watching and following Jesus. He saw Jesus teach, do miracles,
die on the cross, and rise again. After Jesus went to heaven, Judas Iscariot (who had betrayed
Jesus) was gone, and the disciples needed a new friend to make twelve again. They prayed,
asking God to pick the right person, and they chose Matthias by rolling something like dice (but
it was God’s choice!). From then on, Matthias helped tell everyone about Jesus, just like the
other disciples.
Scripture Memory Verse:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.” – John 15:16a (NIV)
Story for Kids:
Imagine Matthias as a quiet kid who loves watching Jesus. He’s not in the front row with Peter
and John, but he’s always there—listening to Jesus’ stories, clapping when He heals people,
and cheering when Jesus comes back to life. After Jesus goes to heaven, the disciples are sad
because Judas isn’t with them anymore. They say, “We need twelve helpers again!” So, they
pray, “God, who should we pick?” They write Matthias’ name and another guy’s name on little
papers, shake them up, and pick one—Matthias! He jumps up, super excited, and says, “Wow, I
get to help Jesus now!” From that day, he travels with the disciples, telling people, “Jesus loves
you!” He’s like the kid who waits patiently on the bench, then gets called to play and scores a
goal!
More About Matthias:
– He Was Ready: Matthias didn’t just show up out of nowhere. The Bible says he was with Jesus
“the whole time” (Acts 1:21-22)—from when John the Baptist baptized Jesus all the way to when
Jesus went up to heaven. That means he knew Jesus’ story inside and out!
– His Big Job: After he was chosen, Matthias became an apostle—a special leader who told
people about Jesus. We don’t have lots of stories about him in the Bible, but some old church
stories say he traveled far, maybe even to places like Ethiopia or Turkey, sharing Jesus’ love.
– He Was Brave: Being a disciple wasn’t easy! Matthias joined when people were starting to get
mad at Jesus’ followers. Some stories say he might have died for telling people about Jesus,
just like some other disciples did.
Fun Fact:
The way they picked Matthias—by praying and rolling lots (like dice)—was an old way to ask
God to decide. It’s like flipping a coin, but they trusted God to make it land on Matthias!
Activity:
Make a paper crown with “Matthias” on it and decorate it with stars (because he’s a star
helper!). Pretend you’re waiting to be picked for a team, then jump up and say, “I’m ready,
Jesus!” Talk about a time you had to wait for something special and how it felt when you got
your chance.
Big Lesson for Kids:
Matthias teaches us that God sees us, even when we’re not the loudest or the first ones picked.
He was waiting and watching, ready to help Jesus when the time was right. Whether you’re the
first to raise your hand or the one who waits quietly, Jesus has a special job for you too! You just
have to say, “Yes, I’ll help!”
Fun Question:
Have you ever waited for a turn to do something cool, like Matthias did? How did it feel when
you finally got picked?
Extra Activity:
Make a little “prayer dice” with a paper cube. Write “Yes” on one side and “Matthias” on another.
Roll it and say, “God, I’ll help you like Matthias did!” Talk about how you can help Jesus—like
being kind or telling a friend about Him.
