This lesson teaches children that God hears His people when they cry out to Him and that He keeps track of every family in His story. It works well for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few Bible questions and one simple activity.
Big Idea
God knows every family by name, and when His people call on Him in trouble, He answers them. We can always pray to Him, even when we feel far away.
Memory Verse
1 Chronicles 5:20
They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he answered them, because they put their trust in him.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands in front of their mouths, then open them wide like a bird flying up, as if sending a prayer to heaven. Say the verse together three times, sending a little prayer on each “cried to God.”
The Story: 1 Chronicles 5 for Kids
Long ago, the families of Israel were counted carefully, one by one. Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob, but Reuben had done something wrong, so his special place as the firstborn was given to Joseph’s sons. Still, God kept a record of every family, and nobody was forgotten.
The families of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived east of the river, in the good land of Gilead and Bashan. Their flocks and herds grew big, so they had plenty of camels, sheep and donkeys. They were brave men who knew how to fight, and they had strong shields and bows.
One day, the Hagrites came to make war against them. These men were enemies, and they were ready to fight hard. The people of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh were afraid, but they did not fight alone. They turned to God in the middle of the battle and cried out to Him for help.
God heard their cry. He answered them and gave them the victory, and the Hagrites were beaten. The people took back their animals and lived safely in their homes. The men said, “We trusted God, and He helped us.”
Later, these families forgot to honor God. They chased after the false gods of the land around them. God let the king of Assyria take them away from their home, but He still remembered them. Their story was written down so that we would remember that God keeps His promises.
Read It Together
1 Chronicles 5:1-2
1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be listed according to the birthright. 2 For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)—
(WEB)
Point out that Reuben was the firstborn, but his birthright went to Joseph’s sons because of what he had done. Explain to the children that God still chooses and places people in His plan, even when we make mistakes.
1 Chronicles 5:18
The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred sixty, that were able to go out to war.
(WEB)
Show the children that these men were strong and skilled, and that they went out to fight when it was needed. Ask them what kinds of brave things people can do today, such as standing up for a friend or helping someone who is scared.
1 Chronicles 5:22
For many fell slain, because the war was of God. They lived in their place until the captivity.
(WEB)
Explain that the war belonged to God, meaning He was in charge of the outcome. Help the children see that God is powerful and that we can trust Him with the hard things that happen in our lives.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God kept a list of every family in this chapter?
- What did the people do when they were scared of the Hagrites?
- How did God answer the cries of His people?
- What is one thing you could pray about this week?
- What does it feel like to know God never forgets any of His children?
Activity Ideas
Family Tree Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple tree and write their own name on the trunk, then add the names of their family members on the branches. Explain that God knows every name on the tree, just as He knew every name in the list of families in this chapter.
Cry Out to God Game
You will need a small open space and a few cushions or chairs. Set up a simple obstacle path, then blindfold one child at a time while the others call out directions. Explain that the child could not see the path, but they could hear the voices, just as God hears us when we cry out to Him.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need a jar, small slips of paper and a pen or pencil. Ask each child to write one prayer request on a slip, fold it and place it in the jar. Encourage the family to pray over the jar each evening, reminding the children that God hears every prayer, whether it is big or small.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God keeps faithful records of His people across generations, even when they fail and are carried into exile. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh prayed in battle and God answered, which shows that He hears His people and acts in their history.
Avoid overstating to children that God always gives us the victory in every fight or that trouble will never come our way. The text shows God’s power and faithfulness, but the people also suffered greatly, so talk honestly about how God is with us even in hard seasons.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for knowing each of us by name. Thank You for hearing us when we cry out to You and for staying close when we feel afraid. Help us to trust You every day and to remember that You never forget Your children. Amen.
