In this lesson, children learn that God sees what is really in a person’s heart, even when people try to hide it. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows everything, and nothing can be hidden from him. He sees our hearts and cares about whether we love him and obey him.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 14:6
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, Jeroboam’s wife! Why do you pretend to be another? For I am sent to you with heavy news.
(WEB)
Put one hand over your eyes like a pair of binoculars, then slowly lower it and point to your heart. Say the verse together while you point, so children connect “God sees” with the motion of looking and pointing.
The Story: 1 Kings 14 for Kids
King Jeroboam ruled over the people of Israel, but he did not love God the way he should have. He had made idols of gold and taught the people to worship them. One day his son Abijah became very sick, and Jeroboam was worried about him.
Jeroboam wanted to know whether his son would get better, so he came up with a plan. He told his wife to disguise herself so no one would recognize her as the queen. He sent her to find Ahijah, an old prophet who lived in Shiloh. She took some bread, cakes, and honey as a gift, just as a regular visitor might.
Ahijah could not see well because he was very old and his eyes were weak. But God had already told him that the queen was coming in disguise. When she walked through the door, Ahijah said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why are you pretending to be someone else? I have bad news for you.”
God had sent a hard message through Ahijah. He reminded Jeroboam that God had chosen him to be king, but Jeroboam had turned away from God and made false gods. Because of this, God would bring trouble on Jeroboam’s family. Then Ahijah told the queen, “Go home now. When you enter the city, your son will die.”
The queen went home sadly. When she reached the doorway of her house, the boy died, just as God had said. All of Israel mourned for him and buried him. The story shows that God knew exactly where the queen was and what her heart was like, even when she tried to hide who she was.
Read It Together
1 Kings 14:2-3
2 Jeroboam said to his wife, “Please get up and disguise yourself, so that you won’t be recognized as Jeroboam’s wife. Go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said that that I would be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the child.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jeroboam tried to hide his plan by sending his wife in disguise. Ask the children why they think he did this, and remind them that people often try to hide things from others, but never from God.
1 Kings 14:13
All Israel will mourn for him and bury him; for he only of Jeroboam will come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.
(WEB)
Show that God noticed one good thing in the boy, even though the family had turned away from God. Explain that God sees the good in our hearts and is pleased when we love him, even in small ways.
1 Kings 14:8-9
8 And tore the kingdom away from David’s house, and gave it you; and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes, 9 but have done evil above all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods, molten images, to provoke me to anger, and have cast me behind your back…
(WEB)
Explain that David followed God with all his heart, but Jeroboam chose idols instead. Help children see that God cares whether we follow him sincerely and not just on the outside.
Talk About It
- What did Jeroboam’s wife try to do so that no one would know who she was?
- How do you think God knew who was coming to the door, even though Ahijah could not see?
- Why do you think God wants us to love him with our whole heart?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show God that you love him?
- Can you think of a time you tried to hide something from someone? How did that feel?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a red heart cut from construction paper. Have them draw one thing on the heart that shows how they love God, such as a family member, a favorite song, or a kind act. Let them glue the heart to the paper and share their picture with the group.
Hide and Seek with God Sees Me
Choose a child to be the seeker and have the others hide around the room. While they hide, the seeker must find them, and every time a child is found, the group repeats the memory verse. Afterward, explain that nothing can be hidden from God, just as nothing could be hidden from Ahijah.
Family Heart Check
Give each child a small card with the words “God sees my heart” written on it. Ask families to place the card somewhere they will see it each day, like on the fridge or by the bathroom mirror. Encourage them to talk together about one way they can love God during the week.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God knows all things, including what is in the heart of each person. Jeroboam’s family tried to hide their actions, but God revealed the truth through his prophet. For adults, the passage is a reminder that our faith must be genuine, not merely outward, and that God is faithful to his word.
Avoid suggesting that God punishes children for their parents’ sins or that sickness is always a sign of God’s anger. The story is about the consequences of a king’s disobedience, not a general rule about children. Keep the focus on God’s knowledge and his desire for sincere love.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you see everything, even what is hidden in our hearts. Help us to love you with all that we are and to follow you every day. Show us how to be honest with you and with others. Thank you that you always know us and love us. Amen.
