In this lesson, children learn that God sees what is in a person’s heart, even when others cannot, and that he keeps his promises. This lesson is for children about 5 to 11 years old, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows everything about us, and he always does what is right. Nothing can be hidden from him, not even a disguise.
Memory Verse
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)
Put your hand on your heart when you say this verse. Then point up to the sky, because God sees everything from above. Say the words slowly together three times so the children can feel the rhythm.
The Story: 1 Kings 14 for Kids
King Jeroboam ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel, but he did not follow God. He made gold calves for the people to worship, and God was very unhappy with him. One day Jeroboam’s little son, Abijah, became very sick. Jeroboam did not want anyone to know that his son was ill, so he came up with a plan.
He told his wife to disguise herself so that no one would recognize her as the queen. Then she traveled to the town of Shiloh to visit the old prophet Ahijah. Ahijah had been the one who told Jeroboam he would become king. Ahijah could not see well anymore because he was very old.
But God had already told Ahijah that the queen was coming, and that she would pretend to be someone else. As soon as she walked through the door, God helped Ahijah know who she really was. He said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you pretending to be someone else? I have sad news for you.”
Ahijah told her that God was going to punish Jeroboam’s family because he had turned away from God and made idols. He also said that when she got home, her son would die. The queen went back home, and just as she stepped across the threshold of the house, the child died. All of Israel gathered together, mourned for him, and buried him, just as God had said through his prophet.
The story shows that God knew exactly what was happening, even when the people tried to hide it. God keeps his word, and he always sees the truth of our hearts.
Read It Together
1 Kings 14:7-8
7 Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘The LORD, the God of Israel, says: “Because I exalted you from among the people, and made you prince over my people Israel, 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…
(WEB)
Point out that God reminded Jeroboam how he had lifted him up from nothing and made him a leader. Ask the children to think about how God gives us good things and wants us to love him back.
1 Kings 14:8
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…
(WEB)
Explain that King David followed God with his whole heart and did what was right. Help the children see that God wants us to love and obey him in the same way, every day.
1 Kings 14:17
Jeroboam’s wife arose and departed, and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of the house, the child died.
(WEB)
Show the children that this verse describes exactly what happened when the queen returned home. Remind them that everything God says will happen, and that he is faithful to his promises.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to try to hide something from someone, and then find out they already knew?
- Why do you think God was unhappy with Jeroboam when he made idols for the people to worship?
- How did King David show that he loved God with his whole heart?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show God that you want to please him?
- Why is it good to know that God always sees what is really inside our hearts?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Ask each child to trace a large heart on the paper and cut it out. Have them draw something on the inside of the heart that shows how they can love God, such as a family, a friend, or a favorite Bible story. Hang the hearts up in the room so everyone can see that God sees what is inside each one.
Hide and Seek Game
You will need a few small objects, such as a toy or a block, and a room where children can safely hide. Hide one object in the room and let the children search for it. Each time someone finds it, remind them that nothing can be hidden from God, because he sees everything. You can play this game again and again to reinforce the lesson.
Take-Home Heart Card
You will need index cards and a pencil. Write the memory verse on one side of the card and ask each child to decorate it at home. Encourage them to share the card with someone in their family and say the verse together at dinner. This helps the children remember that God knows their hearts every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God is righteous and faithful. He judges sin, but he also honors those who seek him with their whole hearts. The story reminds us that leaders have a serious responsibility to lead people toward God and not away from him.
Be careful not to suggest to children that every illness is a punishment from God. In this story, God’s judgment is directed at Jeroboam’s idolatry and the sin of the nation, and the death of the child is part of a specific message from God. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his knowledge of our hearts.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you see everything, and that nothing is hidden from you. Help us to love you with our whole hearts, the way David did. Help us to trust you and to do what is right every day. Amen.
