This lesson teaches children that God helps us when we follow him, but pride can lead us away from him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God helps us do good things when we trust him, but we must never think we are bigger than God. When we get proud, we stop listening to him, and that is a dangerous place to be.
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)
Have the children cup their hands together in front of their chest, as if holding a little seed, then slowly lift their hands up high like a plant growing toward the sun. Say the verse together, lifting your hands on the words that talk about God helping. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 26 for Kids
Judah had a new king named Uzziah. He was only sixteen years old when the people made him king, and he ruled for fifty-two years. Uzziah was a young man who wanted to please God. He spent a lot of time learning from a wise man named Zechariah, who helped him understand God’s ways.
Because Uzziah trusted God, God helped him in many ways. Uzziah fought against enemy nations and won. He built strong towers and walls in Jerusalem to protect the people. He also loved farming, so he dug wells and planted fields and vineyards. People far away began to hear about how strong and blessed Uzziah was.
Then something sad happened. Uzziah became so proud of his success that he forgot who had helped him. He decided he wanted to do a job that only the priests were allowed to do. He walked into God’s temple with a censer in his hand, ready to burn incense on the altar.
Azariah the priest and eighty brave priests followed him into the temple. They stood up to the king and said, “Uzziah, this is not for you. Only the priests may do this. Please leave the holy place, because God will not honor what you are doing.” Uzziah became angry at the priests instead of listening to them.
While Uzziah was still angry, God struck him with leprosy, a terrible skin sickness, right there on his forehead. The priests saw it and quickly pushed him out of the temple. Uzziah was sick for the rest of his life. He had to live in a separate house, and his son Jotham took over running the kingdom.
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 God’s eyes, just like his father had. Ask the children to notice that doing right is something we can keep choosing every day, not just once.
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. Help them see how pride made Uzziah forget God, even though God had been so good to him.
2 Chronicles 26:19
Then Uzziah was angry. He had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the LORD’s house, beside the altar of incense.
(WEB)
Explain that Uzziah got angry when the priests told him the truth. Point out that God showed Uzziah his mistake right away, which reminds us that God sees what we do.
Talk About It
- What helped Uzziah become strong, and who did he forget to thank?
- Why do you think Uzziah wanted to do the priest’s job instead of his own?
- How did Uzziah react when the priests told him he was wrong, and what could he have done instead?
- Can you think of a time when you felt proud of something you did? How did you remember that God helped you?
- What is one good thing you can do this week to remember that God is in charge?
Activity Ideas
Crown of Thanks Craft
You will need paper strips, crayons or markers, tape, and safety scissors. Have each child write or draw one thing God has helped them with on the paper strip. Tape the ends together to make a paper crown, and remind them that every good thing comes from God, not from themselves.
Stop and Listen Game
Play a version of freeze tag. Children move around the room doing silly motions, and when you say “Priests say stop,” everyone freezes and listens for your next instruction. Explain that Uzziah should have stopped and listened to the priests, and that listening to wise people helps us follow God.
Take-Home Thankfulness Jar
You will need an empty jar, small slips of paper, and a pencil. Give each child a jar and slips of paper to take home. Ask them to write one thing they are thankful for each day and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together as a family and thank God for his help.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God blesses faithfulness, but success can slowly tempt us toward pride. Uzziah’s story warns that forgetting the Lord is often the first step toward serious trouble, and that God honors the boundaries he set for worship. It also shows how God gently but firmly corrects those who refuse to listen.
Avoid overstating to children that God always punishes people with sickness when they sin. Instead, focus on the broader truth that pride separates us from God and that humility keeps our hearts open to his guidance.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for helping us every day. Help us remember that every good thing we have comes from you. Keep our hearts humble and make us ready to listen when you speak through others. We love you. Amen.
