This lesson teaches children that God gives every person a job to do, and that no job is too small to matter. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
God has a place for every one of us, and every job helps the whole family, the whole church, and the whole kingdom work well together.
Memory Verse
1 Chronicles 27:1
Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out flat, then lift one hand and then the other, like taking turns. Each time you say the verse, they take turns lifting their hands as they say a word of it. This helps them remember that the people in this chapter took turns serving the king, month after month.
The Story: 1 Chronicles 27 for Kids
King David had a big kingdom, and a lot of work needed to be done every single day. So he organized his people into teams. Each month, a different leader took charge of a group of twenty-four thousand men. There was one leader for January, one for February, and so on, all the way through the year. Each team knew exactly when it was their turn to serve.
A man named Jashobeam led the first month. Another man named Benaiah was brave and strong, and he led the third month. Benaiah was known as one of the mighty men of the king. Other leaders were in charge of the tribes of Israel, like Eliezer for the Reubenites and Zadok for the priests. Everyone had a responsibility, and everyone knew their name.
The chapter also tells us about people who took care of the king’s storehouses, his fields, his vineyards, his olive trees, and even his camels and donkeys. Jonathan was in charge of the treasures in the towers. Ezri looked after the farm workers who plowed the ground. Shimei and Zabdi watched over the grapes and the wine cellars. Imagine how many jobs it took to keep a kingdom running!
David also had wise helpers around him. Ahithophel gave good advice, and Hushai was the king’s trusted friend. Jehiel took care of the king’s sons, teaching and watching over them. Each person had a special place to serve, and they all helped David do his work well.
There is one sad part of the story too. David once wanted to count all his people, and Joab began the counting but did not finish it, and it caused trouble for Israel. The chapter reminds us that God is the one who makes his people grow, and we do not have to be proud about what we can count.
Read It Together
1 Chronicles 27:16-17
16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok…
(WEB)
Point out that these verses name leaders for each of the tribes of Israel. Show the children that God’s people were a big family with many different parts, and each part had someone to care for it.
1 Chronicles 27:25-27
25 Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite…
(WEB)
Point out that some people cared for the king’s treasures, and others cared for the fields and vineyards. Explain that all kinds of work matter, from storing food to growing grapes, because they all help the whole community.
1 Chronicles 27:32-33
32 Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
(WEB)
Point out that some people were wise counselors and trusted friends. Explain that God gives some people the gift of wisdom and listening, and those gifts are important in helping others.
Talk About It
- What job do you think you would enjoy doing to help your family or your church?
- Why do you think David gave each month to a different leader instead of doing everything himself?
- What is something small you do each day that helps someone else?
- How can you help a friend who feels like their job is not important?
- What do you think God wants you to be good at, and how can you use it to help others?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Helper Badge
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a badge shaped like a shield or a star. Inside the badge, they draw a picture of a job they can do to help at home or at church. Help them write one word under the picture, like “Helper” or “Sharer.” Let them show their badge to the class and explain how they will use it this week.
Take Your Turn Game
You will need a small bell or a whistle and a open space like a hallway or a living room. Divide the children into groups of four or five and name each group after a month. When you ring the bell, the group for that month steps forward and does a simple movement together, like marching, clapping, or stretching. Then the next month takes a turn. Remind them that everyone had a turn to serve, just like in the chapter.
Job Jar at Home
You will need a jar or a box and some paper slips. Before the lesson ends, write a simple helping job on each slip, such as setting the table, feeding a pet, or folding laundry. Let each child pick one slip and take it home. Ask them to do that job this week and tell you how it went at the next class. This helps children see that God gives everyone work to do in their own home.
Teacher Notes
This chapter is a long list of names and jobs, and for adults it shows that God’s work in the world depends on many people doing their part faithfully. Some of the people named here are not famous, yet the kingdom depended on their careful service. It is a reminder that faithfulness in ordinary duties matters to God.
With children, avoid overstating the sad episode with Joab and the census. Keep it simple: David’s counting caused trouble, and God alone is the one who makes his people grow. You do not need to explain the full reasons behind it, and you should not suggest that counting people is always wrong.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for giving each of us a job to do. Help us to take our turn with joy, to care for the things you give us, and to help the people around us. Show us where we can serve you today. Amen.
