In this lesson, children learn that when we listen to God and do what is right, we bring him joy, but when we forget him and turn away, things go badly. Joash was a young king who began well but later stopped listening to God’s helpers. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to keep following him every day, even after the people who helped us to know him are gone. When we turn away from God, we get into trouble, but he always keeps telling us the truth.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 24:2
Joash did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall and place both hands on their hearts. Then ask them to slowly raise their hands up high like a sunrise each time they say the word “right.” Repeat the motion together three times so the words and actions stick.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 24 for Kids
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Joash. He became king of Judah when he was only seven years old. That is very young! A wise priest named Jehoiada helped Joash, and while Jehoiada was alive, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.
One day, Joash wanted to fix up God’s house, the Temple in Jerusalem. The building had been damaged, and some of the things used for worship had been taken and used for false gods. Joash told the priests and Levites, “Go to all the towns and collect money to repair God’s house.” But the Levites were slow and did not hurry to gather the money.
So Joash called for Jehoiada and asked, “Why haven’t you made the Levites bring the money?” Then the king had a special chest made and placed it at the gate of God’s house. People from all over Judah and Jerusalem came happily, dropped their money in the chest, and filled it up. Everyone was glad to help.
The workers used the money to hire builders, carpenters, and metalworkers. They repaired God’s house until it was strong and beautiful again. Joash and Jehoiada even made new cups and bowls of gold and silver for worship. God’s house was full of joy once more.
But Jehoiada grew very old and died. After that, some leaders came to Joash and bowed low before him, and Joash listened to their bad advice. The people stopped worshiping the LORD and began serving idols instead. God sent prophets to warn them, but the people would not listen.
Then God’s Spirit came on Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada. Zechariah stood up and said, “Why do you disobey the LORD? You cannot succeed if you leave him.” Sadly, King Joash and the people turned against Zechariah and killed him. Later, Joash faced trouble, and he was hurt badly by his own servants.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 24:4-5
4 After this, Joash intended to restore the LORD’s house. 5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather money to repair the house of your God from all Israel from year to year. See that you expedite this matter.” However the Levites didn’t do it right away.
(WEB)
Point out that Joash wanted to take care of God’s house and gave the people a clear job to do. Ask the children what good work they could do to help their church or home feel loved and cared for.
2 Chronicles 24:17-18
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came, and bowed down to the king. Then the king listened to them. 18 They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and the idols, so wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.
(WEB)
Explain that after Jehoiada died, Joash began listening to bad friends who led him away from God. Help the children see that choosing good friends who help us love God is an important choice to make every day.
2 Chronicles 24:20
The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commandments, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you.’”
(WEB)
Show the children that Zechariah bravely told the truth even when it was hard. Talk about how God gives us courage to speak kindly and honestly about him, even when others do not want to listen.
Talk About It
- What did Joash do that was right when he listened to Jehoiada?
- Why do you think the people were so happy to give money for God’s house?
- How can we keep remembering God when our helpers are no longer with us?
- What might happen when we listen to bad advice from others?
- How can we be brave like Zechariah when we need to tell the truth?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper Temple Craft
You will need construction paper, glue, crayons, and scissors. Have each child fold a sheet of paper into a simple building shape and decorate it with windows, doors, and colorful designs. As they work, talk about how God’s house was repaired and made beautiful again by people who wanted to help.
Money Chest Race Game
Gather a cardboard box to serve as the chest and some small paper coins or beans to use as offerings. Split the children into two teams and have them run to drop one coin at a time into the chest, then return to tag the next player. Encourage the children to shout “God’s house!” each time they drop a coin in.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil or marker. Ask them to write or draw one way they will keep following God this week, such as praying before breakfast or helping someone at home. Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it each morning as a daily reminder.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that a good start does not guarantee a good finish. Joash did well while Jehoiada guided him, but he failed when he stopped listening to God and chose the advice of people who turned him away. Adults should see the call to remain faithful even after mentors and leaders are gone.
When teaching children, avoid overstating that bad things always happen to people who make mistakes, since the Bible does not promise an immediate result for every choice. Instead, emphasize that God’s love and warnings are real, and that he invites us back to him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you for loving us and for giving us helpers who teach us about you. Help us to keep following you every day, even when we are tempted to listen to the wrong voices. Give us courage to do what is right and hearts that love your house. Amen.
