In this lesson, children learn that God wants us to obey Him with our whole heart, not just when it is easy or when we feel like it. The story of King Amaziah shows what happens when someone does the right thing halfway and then trusts the wrong things. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God wants all of my heart. When I obey Him only halfway, or go looking for other helpers, I can end up in big trouble. I can always choose to trust God and do what is right.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 25:2
He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, but not with a perfect heart.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands over their heart as they say the verse together. Then have them lift their hands up high while saying “Right in the LORD’s eyes.” Repeat the motions three times, getting a little quieter each time, until the children can say it without looking at you.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 25 for Kids
A young man named Amaziah became king of Judah when he was twenty-five years old. He ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years, and his mother’s name was Jehoaddan. Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but he did not do it with his whole heart. He was only partly faithful to God.
Before long, Amaziah got ready for a war. He gathered three hundred thousand brave soldiers from Judah and Benjamin. Then he paid one hundred talents of silver to hire another hundred thousand fighters from the northern kingdom of Israel. He was trying to be extra strong, but he was not trusting God to be his strength.
A man of God came to Amaziah and gave him a clear message. “O king, do not let the Israelite soldiers go with you. The LORD is not with them. If you go into battle with them, you will lose.” Amaziah worried about the silver he had already paid. The man of God told him, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.”
So Amaziah sent the Israelite soldiers home. They were very angry about it, and on their way back they attacked the towns of Judah. Meanwhile, Amaziah marched out to the Valley of Salt and won a battle against the people of Seir. God gave him the victory, but Amaziah did not thank Him for it.
Instead, Amaziah brought back the gods of Seir and bowed down to them. God sent a prophet to ask him, “Why would you pray to gods that could not save their own people?” Amaziah would not listen, and he later went into a war with Israel that he lost. Because he turned away from God, he was defeated and eventually killed.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 25:9-10
9 Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” 10 Then Amaziah separated them, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again. Therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.
(WEB)
Point out how the man of God answered Amaziah’s worry with a promise: God can give you much more. Ask the children to name a time they were worried about running out of something, and remind them that God is always able to provide.
2 Chronicles 25:14-15
14 Now after Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them. 15 Therefore the LORD’s anger burned against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?”
(WEB)
Point out that Amaziah bowed down to the gods of the people he had just defeated. Explain that God was not pleased with this, and He sent a prophet to show the king the truth. Remind the children that God always tells us the truth and wants us to trust Him alone.
Talk About It
- What are some ways we can love God with our whole heart at home or at school?
- Why do you think Amaziah sent away the soldiers he had paid for, even though he was worried?
- What did the man of God say to help Amaziah trust God more?
- When we win something good, who should we thank, and why?
- What is one thing you can do this week to trust God instead of looking for other helpers?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a big heart on the paper and cut it out. Ask them to draw or write one way they can love God with their whole heart on the inside. Then help them tape the heart to their bedroom door as a reminder.
Whole-Heart Freeze Game
Clear a space in the room and call out simple actions, such as “hop on one foot,” “wave with both hands,” or “clap your hands.” Each time, the children should do the action with their whole body, moving big and strong. Then call “Freeze!” and ask one child to tell what it means to do something with the whole heart.
Take-Home Trust Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pencil. Give each child a few slips of paper and ask them to write or draw a worry on one side and a time they trusted God on the other. They should put the slips in the jar at home. Encourage the family to read one slip together each evening and thank God for His help.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that partial obedience is still a form of divided loyalty. Amaziah did good things, but he trusted hired soldiers and then foreign gods, and that showed where his heart really stood. The passage also shows God’s patience, since He sent warnings through a prophet before the judgment came.
Avoid suggesting to children that God punishes every mistake with an immediate defeat. The story is a specific account of a king who turned away from God, and children should understand that God forgives those who return to Him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we want to love You with our whole heart. Help us trust You when things are hard, and help us do what is right even when no one is watching. Thank You for always being able to give us more than we need. Keep our hearts close to You every day. Amen.
