This lesson teaches children that God forgives anyone who turns back to Him, even someone who has done very wrong. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, a memory verse, and a short activity.
Big Idea
No matter how far we have wandered, God is ready to forgive us when we turn back to Him and ask for help. He loves to welcome us home.
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 the children to cup both hands together in front of their chest, then slowly open them up and lift them toward the ceiling, as if they are giving something back to God. Say the words together three times while doing the motion, and it will stick.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 33 for Kids
Once there was a boy named Manasseh who became king of Judah when he was only twelve years old. He ruled for fifty-five years in the city of Jerusalem. Sadly, Manasseh did many things that made God very sad. He built altars to false gods and even filled the Temple with idols, which are statues that people wrongly worship.
God spoke to Manasseh and to the people, asking them to listen and come back to Him. But they would not listen. Because of their choices, the army of the king of Assyria came and took Manasseh away in chains. They carried him far away to the city of Babylon. Manasseh was scared and unhappy in that dark place.
In his trouble, Manasseh did something new. He called out to the LORD, his God, and he humbled himself deeply. He said he was sorry and asked God to help him. God heard his prayer, and He was kind enough to bring Manasseh back home to Jerusalem.
When Manasseh returned, he changed his ways. He tore down the idols and the false altars and cast them out of the city. He built up the altar of the LORD again and offered sacrifices to thank God. He also told the people of Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. Manasseh showed everyone what it looks like to turn around and follow God.
Not everyone in the land had turned away from the false gods completely, but Manasseh had made a true change in his own heart. The story reminds us that even when a person has done terrible things, God is ready to forgive when that person truly turns back to Him.
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 that Manasseh was in distress and that his first move was to pray. Ask the children what they might do when they feel scared or sorry, and remind them they can always talk to God right where they are.
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)
Show the children how Manasseh cleaned up what he had done wrong and then built something good for God. Explain that making things right is part of turning back to God and that actions can show a changed heart.
2 Chronicles 33:19
His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set up the Asherah poles and the engraved images, before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai.
(WEB)
Point out that God heard Manasseh’s prayer and that his sin and humbling were remembered in writing. Help children see that God pays attention to our honest prayers and that He does not forget a sincere turning back.
Talk About It
- What did Manasseh choose to do that made God sad?
- How do you think Manasseh felt while he was far away in Babylon?
- What did Manasseh do when he was in trouble, and why was that a good choice?
- What changes did Manasseh make after God brought him back home?
- When is a time you felt sorry for something you did, and how did you make it right?
Activity Ideas
Turn Around Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a picture of a path going the wrong way on one side, then have them draw a path turning around and heading toward a house or church on the other side. Let them color it in and talk about how God welcomes us when we turn back.
Walk Back Home Game
Set up a short course with masking tape or chairs in a room or hallway, making a winding path. Have children start at one end and walk the path with their eyes closed while a helper calls out directions. Then have them stop, turn around, and walk back to the start while you call out kind words. Talk about how God calls us home.
Take-Home Prayer Card
Cut index cards in half and give each child one, along with markers. Ask them to write or draw one thing they could say sorry for and one way they could turn back to God this week. Encourage them to keep the card on their nightstand or in their backpack as a reminder to pray.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows a dramatic turnaround. Manasseh is one of the most wicked kings in Judah’s history, yet he humbled himself and God restored him. It teaches that repentance is always open, that sincere prayer is heard, and that real change shows in what we do afterward.
Be careful not to make the story sound like it is a formula that guarantees rescue whenever someone prays. Children should understand that God is merciful and faithful, not that prayer works like a switch. Focus on God’s kindness and character rather than promising specific outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are always ready to forgive us when we turn back to You. Help us to say sorry when we do wrong and to ask for Your help when we feel scared. Teach us to follow You every day, and to show others what it looks like to come home to You. Amen.
