In this lesson, children learn that God listens when people turn back to him, even after doing wrong for a very long time. The lesson is for children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes. It works well as a single class session with a Bible, a few craft supplies, and time for questions.
Big Idea
God is always ready to forgive us when we say we are sorry and turn back to him. Even a king who did very bad things can be forgiven when he asks God for help.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 33:13
He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.
(WEB)
Teach children to cup both hands together in front of their chest, like they are holding something carefully, then slowly open their hands and lift them up as they say the verse. The motion shows humble hearts being lifted up to God. Practice it three times together until everyone knows the movement.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 33 for Kids
A boy named Manasseh became king of Judah when he was only twelve years old. He ruled in Jerusalem for a very long time, fifty-five years. But Manasseh did not follow God. He built altars to false gods and even made some of his own children walk through fire, which was a terrible thing to do. He filled the land with wrong worship.
God spoke to Manasseh and to the people, asking them to turn back to him. But they would not listen. So God allowed the army of the king of Assyria to come and take Manasseh away in chains. The soldiers carried him far away to the city of Babylon. It was a sad and frightening time for the king.
While Manasseh was in that hard place, something changed in his heart. He begged the LORD his God for help, and he humbled himself very much before him. He stopped trying to be strong on his own. Imagine how hard it must have been for a proud king to say sorry.
God heard his prayer. God brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and made him king again. Then Manasseh finally understood something important. He said, in his heart, that the LORD really is God. He began to take away the false gods and the wrong altars from the city.
Manasseh then led the people to worship the LORD, and he built up the altar for the true God. He told the people to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. Not everyone changed right away, but the king had turned his life around. God had shown him mercy.
Sadly, Manasseh’s son Amon did not follow God the way his father had at the end. Amon did evil and did not humble himself. Some of his own servants turned against him, and the people of the land made Josiah king. The story reminds us that every person must choose to turn to God for themselves.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 33:12
When he was in distress, he begged the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
(WEB)
Point out the word “distress.” Ask the children what it feels like to be in a hard or scary place, and explain that Manasseh was in real trouble. Show them that he did not stay quiet about his problem but went straight to God.
2 Chronicles 33:15-16
15 He took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of the LORD’s house, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the LORD’s house, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16 He built up the LORD’s altar, and offered sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving on it, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.
(WEB)
Notice what Manasseh did after God rescued him. He removed the false idols from the city and rebuilt the altar for the true God. Explain that a real change of heart shows itself in the way we live afterward.
2 Chronicles 33:9-10
9 Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they didn’t listen.
(WEB)
Show children that the people did not want to listen to God’s warnings, and that they chose to go their own way. Explain that God still spoke to them with love, even when they refused. This helps children see God’s patience.
Talk About It
- What do you think Manasseh was feeling when he was taken away in chains to a faraway place?
- Why do you think it was hard for Manasseh to say sorry to God?
- What is one thing you can do when you know you have done something wrong?
- How does it make you feel to know that God hears us when we call out to him?
- What is one way you can show God that you are turning back to him this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Prayer Hands
Give each child a paper plate, a pencil, and some crayons or markers. Have them trace both of their hands on the plate, then cut out the shape. On each finger, they can write one thing they want to say sorry for or one thing they want to ask God for help with. Let them keep it on their bedside table as a reminder to pray.
Turn Around Game
Ask children to stand in a line facing the wall. Call out “Turn around!” and have them spin to face the other way, then call out “Walk back!” to show returning to God. Explain that God is always waiting for us to turn toward him. Keep the game short and cheerful so the children stay engaged.
Take-Home Sorry Card
Provide plain paper folded in half and crayons. Have each child draw a picture of someone they could say sorry to, or of God listening to them. Inside, they can write or draw a simple “I’m sorry” note. Encourage them to share the card with their family during the week to practice humility and forgiveness at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a striking example of God’s mercy toward a person who did great harm. Manasseh is often remembered as one of the worst kings of Judah, yet when he humbled himself, God forgave him and restored him. It shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace when they truly turn back to him.
Avoid suggesting to children that bad choices always lead to being captured or punished in such dramatic ways. Focus instead on the simple truth that God welcomes sorry hearts, and that real repentance changes how we live. Keep the emphasis on God’s love rather than on fear.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you for listening when we call to you. We are sorry for the wrong things we have done, and we want to turn back to you. Help us to be humble and honest, just like Manasseh learned to be. Thank you for always forgiving us when we ask. Amen.
