The Turtle Who Took His Time — And Learned to Pray Sunday School Lesson Plan For Toddlers

Lesson Title:
The Turtle Who Took His Time — And Learned to Pray

Bible Theme:
Learning to pray and talk to God — even when life feels slow or hard.

Bible Verse (Toddler Version):
"Pray to God and He will help you." — Psalm 17:6

Main Point to Repeat with Kids:
"I can pray to God anytime!"

Story: "The Turtle Who Took His Time — And Learned to Pray"

Once upon a time, there was a little turtle named Timmy. Timmy had a shiny green shell and tiny legs that moved very, very slowly.

Every day, Timmy watched the other animals running and playing — the rabbits hopped, the birds flew, and the dogs ran fast!

But Timmy couldn’t keep up. "I’m too slow!" Timmy said sadly.

One day, Timmy wanted to go to a big tree to see the flowers, but it felt so far away. "I’ll never get there," he sighed.

Just then, a butterfly fluttered by. "Hi, Timmy! Why are you sad?"

Timmy said, "I’m too slow. I can’t do anything fast like my friends."

The butterfly smiled and said, "Did you know you can pray to God when you feel sad or slow?"

"Really?" Timmy asked.

"Yes!" said the butterfly. "God listens to you all the time."

So Timmy stopped and prayed a little prayer:
"Dear God, I feel slow. Please help me keep going and be happy."

After his prayer, Timmy felt a little better. Step by step, he slowly moved forward. And guess what? Before he knew it, he was at the tree!

Timmy looked up and smiled. "Thank You, God! You helped me!"

From that day on, Timmy remembered that God listens to his prayers, no matter how slow or small they are.

Activity: "Slow and Steady Prayer Walk" (Movement Game)

How to Play:

• Have kids pretend to be turtles and walk slowly around the room.
• As they "walk," pause and say simple prayers like:
  • "Thank You, God, for my family."
  • "Help me when I’m sad."
  • "Thank You for my friends."
• Teach them that we can pray anytime, anywhere — even when we’re slow like Timmy!

Craft: "Timmy the Turtle Prayer Shell" Craft

Supplies:

• Turtle coloring page or simple turtle cutout.
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
• Green tissue paper squares for "shell" (optional).
• Glue or glue sticks.

Instructions:

1. Color the turtle body.
2. Add tissue paper to make a pretty shell.
3. On the shell, write (help them write): "I can pray to God anytime!"
4. Talk about how Timmy learned to pray when he felt slow.

Song (To the tune of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'):

I can pray to God each day,
God each day, God each day,
I can pray to God each day,
God will hear me too!

When I’m happy, when I’m sad,
When I’m slow or when I’m glad,
I can pray and talk to God,
God will hear me too!

Closing Prayer (Repeat After Me Style):

Dear God,
Thank You for loving me.
Help me when I feel slow or sad.
Thank You for always listening to me.
I love You, God!
Amen.

Optional Take-Home Note for Parents:

Today we learned from Timmy the Turtle that we can pray to God anytime — when we're happy, sad, or slow like a turtle! Ask your child to show you their turtle craft and say a simple prayer together!