Matthew 15 · Grade 3
What Comes From the Heart
Read the Story
Some Pharisees asked why Jesus' disciples did not wash their hands the special way their tradition said. Jesus answered that they were breaking God's commands to keep their own rules. He quoted Isaiah: these people honor God with their lips. But their heart is far from Him.
Jesus taught that food going into the mouth does not make a person unclean. What comes out of the heart does, like evil thoughts, lying and unkind words. God cares most about our hearts.
A Canaanite woman, who was not Jewish, begged Jesus to heal her daughter. She kept asking with humble faith. Jesus said, "Woman, great is your faith!" and her daughter was healed. Then Jesus healed many people on a mountain and fed four thousand men, besides women and children, with seven loaves and a few small fish.
Memory Verse
“‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Matthew 15:8 (WEB)
Answer the Questions
What did the Pharisees complain about?
What did Isaiah say about people who honor God only with their lips?
According to Jesus, what makes a person unclean?
Why was the Canaanite woman's faith special?
How many people did Jesus feed with seven loaves?
Put the Story in Order
Write what happened in each box.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you ask God to make you pure inside?
- A mother from Canaan came to Jesus for her daughter. Who can you bring to Jesus in prayer?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.