In this lesson, children learn that God helps us when we obey Him, but pride can lead us away from Him. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God helps us when we do what is right, but when we get proud and think we don’t need Him, we can get into trouble. We always need God to help us.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 26:5
He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands together in front of their chest, as if holding something precious, and then lift them up toward the sky each time they say the word “seek.” Then have them point to their heart on the words “God helped him.” Repeat the motions together three times until the children can say the verse with their hands moving.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 26 for Kids
There was a young king named Uzziah. He was only sixteen years old when the people of Judah made him king. His father, Amaziah, had died, and now Uzziah had the job of ruling the whole land from the city of Jerusalem. He ruled for fifty-two years, which is a very long time to be king.
Uzziah tried to do what was right in God’s eyes, just as his father had done. He had a wise teacher named Zechariah, who taught him about God. As long as Uzziah kept seeking the Lord, God helped him win battles against the Philistines and other enemies. The people around him heard about how strong he had become, and his name spread far away.
Uzziah built towers and walls to protect Jerusalem. He dug wells for water, took care of many sheep and cattle, and loved working on the farms. He also had a big army with shields, spears, and helmets, and he made special machines to shoot arrows and big stones at the enemy. God had helped him become very strong.
But then something sad happened. Uzziah became so proud that he forgot he needed God. He walked into the Lord’s temple to burn incense on the special altar, even though only the priests were allowed to do that job. Azariah the priest and eighty brave priests followed him inside. They stood up to the king and said, “It is not for you to burn incense to the Lord. Go out of the holy place, because you have done wrong.”
Uzziah became angry at the priests. While he was still angry, a terrible skin sickness called leprosy broke out on his forehead. The priests saw it, and they hurried him out of the temple. The Lord had struck him with the sickness. Uzziah lived with this sickness for the rest of his life and had to live in a separate house. His son Jotham took over the work of ruling the palace and the people while Uzziah was sick. When Uzziah died, he was buried with his fathers, but people said he was buried in a field near the kings’ graves because he was a leper.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 26:4
He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
(WEB)
Point out that Uzziah did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, the same as his father. Ask the children what it means to do what is right, and talk about how we can follow God’s ways at home and at school.
2 Chronicles 26:16
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against the LORD his God; for he went into the LORD’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.
(WEB)
Show the children the word “lifted up” and explain that it means being proud. Explain that Uzziah became proud after God had helped him so much, and that pride made him disobey God in the temple.
2 Chronicles 26:18
They resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed. It will not be for your honor from the LORD God.”
(WEB)
Point out that the priests were brave to tell the king he was wrong. Talk about how it is good to be brave and kind when we need to tell a friend or family member that they are making a mistake.
Talk About It
- What did God do to help Uzziah when he was following Him?
- How do you think Uzziah felt when he got angry at the priests, and what should he have done instead?
- Why do you think the priests were brave to tell the king to leave the temple?
- What are some ways we can remember that God helps us, even when we are doing well at things?
- How can we stay humble and thankful when we are good at something?
Activity Ideas
Crown Craft
You will need paper, markers, scissors, glue, and glitter if you have it. Have each child draw a crown and write the words “God helps me” on it. Then ask them to decorate it and talk about how a king should always remember that God is greater than him. Children can wear their crowns during the closing prayer.
Stop and Go Game
Play a game where children walk around the room like kings and queens with their heads held high. When you call out “pride,” they must freeze and bow their heads. When you call out “humble,” they can stand tall again and walk normally. Talk about how it is easy to get proud and forget to be humble before God and others.
Take-Home Thankful Jar
You will need a jar, paper strips, and a pen. Give each child a small jar and some paper strips. Ask them to write down one thing God has helped them do each week and put the strip into the jar. Encourage families to read the notes together at dinner to remember God’s help and to stay thankful instead of proud.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God blesses faithful obedience, but pride can cause us to disobey and lose our way. Adults should remember that the chapter is a warning that success can make us forget our dependence on God, and that even good kings and leaders need humility and wise counsel from others. The story also shows God’s justice in dealing with those who disrespect His holy places and His appointed priests.
Be careful not to make the story sound like every sickness or trouble is a punishment for sin. Scripture does not teach that every illness comes from God’s judgment in this way, so explain that Uzziah’s leprosy was a specific consequence of his disobedience in this story, not a rule that applies to everyone who gets sick.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for helping us every day. Help us to remember that we need You and to stay humble, even when we do things well. Give us brave hearts to do what is right and kind hearts to listen when others help us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
