This lesson teaches children that God wants us to trust Him, not just people or our own clever ideas, even when things feel scary. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we trust God first, He is always stronger than our problems, and we do not need to run to other helpers for everything.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the LORD’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. You have done foolishly in this; for from now on you will have wars.”
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall, put one hand on their heart, then slowly raise both arms up over their heads like a big stretch. Do this each time you say the verse together, so the motion reminds them that God is strong and watching over them.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 16 for Kids
King Asa ruled the land of Judah, and he had been a good king for many years. One day a bigger king named Baasha, from the land of Israel, came to make trouble. Baasha started building a town called Ramah, so that no one could go in or out of Judah. Asa was worried, and he wanted to fix the problem quickly.
Instead of asking God for help, Asa took silver and gold from the Temple and from his own palace. He sent these treasures to a king named Ben Hadad, who lived far away in Damascus. Asa said to him, “Let us make a deal. Please break your promise with Baasha so he will leave me alone.”
Ben Hadad took the gold and silver, and he attacked the cities of Israel. Baasha was so surprised that he stopped building Ramah and went home. Asa used the stones from Ramah to build new towns for Judah. It seemed like Asa had solved the problem, but he had really used God’s treasures to get help from a man who did not know God.
Then a prophet named Hanani came to Asa with a message from God. Hanani said, “You relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on the LORD your God. The LORD could have helped you win a huge battle before, so why did you not trust Him now?” Asa became angry and put Hanani in prison, which was a very wrong thing to do.
Later Asa became sick in his feet, and his sickness was very bad. Even then, he did not ask God for help. He only asked the doctors. Asa died two years later, and the people buried him in a special tomb in the city of David.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 16:7-8
7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand. 8 Weren’t the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand.
(WEB)
Point out that Hanani reminded Asa of the great victory God had given him over the huge army of Ethiopians and Lubim. Ask the children to notice that God had helped Asa before, which made Asa’s choice to ignore Him even more surprising.
2 Chronicles 16:12
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet. His disease was exceedingly great: yet in his disease he didn’t seek the LORD, but just the physicians.
(WEB)
Explain that Asa did not stop at the doctors because they were wrong to help, but because he forgot to ask God first. Help children see that good helpers are fine, yet God should always be our first choice.
Talk About It
- What do you think Asa could have done differently when he first felt worried about Baasha?
- Why do you think it is easy to ask people for help but sometimes forget to ask God?
- How did God help Asa in the past, and how can remembering that help us now?
- What is one problem you have had lately where you could trust God more?
- How can we show God that our hearts belong to Him in our everyday choices?
Activity Ideas
Heart and Eyes Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a big heart in the center, then draw two eyes around the edges of the page to show that God sees everything. Let them write or draw one thing they want to trust God with this week.
Stand Strong Game
Ask the children to stand in a circle. Call out “Asa tried” and have them lean in one direction, then call out “God is strong” and have them stand tall with arms raised. Repeat several times and talk about how standing strong comes from trusting God.
Take-Home Trust Jar
Bring a clear jar, some paper strips, and a pen. Have each child write a worry on a strip, then fold it up and put it in the jar as a reminder to bring it to God in prayer. Encourage families to open the jar together once a week and pray over the worries inside.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows how easy it is to rely on earthly solutions and forget to seek God first, even when we have a history of His faithfulness. Asa was a good king in many ways, yet his later choices reveal how important it is to keep trusting the Lord in every season of life.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God always removes sickness or problems when we pray, since the passage does not promise that. Focus instead on God’s presence, His strength, and His call for our trust, rather than on guaranteed outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, we thank You that You see everything and You are always strong. Help us to trust You first when we feel worried, and help us remember the good things You have done for us before. Please keep our hearts close to You this week. Amen.
