In this lesson, children learn that God’s people can help take care of the places where they worship God, and that faithful people work honestly with the gifts they are given. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God’s house is worth caring for, and when people give their gifts faithfully, the work gets done well and the money is handled honestly.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 12:15
Moreover they didn’t demand an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work; for they dealt faithfully.
(WEB)
Have children hold their hands together in front of their chests, then open them wide like a box lid. Say the verse together while lifting and lowering the lid, so the motion helps them remember that the workers were trusted to do the job honestly.
The Story: 2 Kings 12 for Kids
A boy named Jehoash became king of Judah when he was only a young boy. He had a wise helper named Jehoiada, who was a priest. As long as Jehoiada taught him, Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Jehoash loved God and wanted God’s house to be fixed.
The house of the LORD had cracks and holes that needed repair. King Jehoash told the priests, “Collect the money that people bring to God’s house, and use it to fix the damage.” But years went by, and the priests still had not repaired the house. The priests were keeping the money instead of using it for the work.
King Jehoash called the priests together and asked, “Why haven’t you fixed the house? From now on, do not take any more money for yourselves. Give it to the workers who will repair the house.” The priests agreed to stop taking the money, but they still did not do the work.
Then the wise priest Jehoiada had a good plan. He took a chest, cut a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar where people came in. The priests who guarded the door put the people’s gifts into the chest. When the chest was full, the king’s scribe and the high priest counted the money together and wrote it down.
The workers were paid with the money. Carpenters, builders, masons, and stone cutters bought wood and stone and fixed the house. The workers were trusted to do their jobs well, and they did. The money for the sin offerings and guilt offerings was not put into the house. It went to the priests.
The story ends sadly. Jehoash was later killed by his own servants, and his son Amaziah became the next king. The people remembered how Jehoash had cared for God’s house while he followed the wise teaching of Jehoiada.
Read It Together
2 Kings 12:4
Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the holy things that is brought into the LORD’s house, in current money, the money of the people for whom each man is evaluated, and all the money that it comes into any man’s heart to bring into the LORD’s house…
(WEB)
Point out that King Jehoash gave the command to collect the gifts people brought to God’s house. Ask children why it matters that people gave money for something they loved.
2 Kings 12:9
But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the LORD’s house; and the priests who kept the threshold put all the money that was brought into the LORD’s house into it.
(WEB)
Show children the picture of the chest with a hole in the lid, and point out how it kept the gifts safe and organized. Explain that wise plans can help people do good work together.
2 Kings 12:11-12
11 They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the LORD’s house; and they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders, who worked on the LORD’s house, 12 and to the masons and the stone cutters, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the damage to the LORD’s house, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
(WEB)
Point out that the money was handed to the workers who did the building. Talk about how each worker had a job, and how the house got fixed because everyone did their part.
Talk About It
- What did the people bring to God’s house, and why do you think they wanted to help?
- Why was it important that the priests stop keeping the money for themselves?
- How did Jehoiada help the people give their gifts in a safe and fair way?
- What is one way you can help take care of your church or the place where you worship?
- How can you show that you are trustworthy with the things people give you to do?
Activity Ideas
Build a Gift Box Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a shoebox if you have one. Have each child draw a picture of God’s house, then add a small box at the front with a hole in its lid. Let them color the box and write or draw one gift they would like to bring. Talk together about how the chest kept the gifts safe.
Passing the Gift Game
Gather children in a circle and give one child a small cup or sock filled with coins or pennies. Have the children pass it quietly around the circle while someone plays a simple tune on a tambourine or clapping. When the music stops, the child holding the cup says one honest thing about how they can help. Then play again.
A Take-Home Thank You Card
Provide cardstock, scissors, and stickers. Ask each child to make a card for a worker at their church, such as a custodian, teacher, or volunteer who helps keep the building in good shape. Encourage them to write or draw a thank you message. Children can give the card to that person during the week.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God cares about the places where his people gather and worship. It also shows that money given to God’s work should be handled honestly and used for its purpose. Adults can see how faithful leaders plan wisely, and how workers are trusted to do their jobs with integrity. The story also reminds us that good beginnings can be undone when a leader stops following God’s ways, as happened with Jehoash.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that God rewards generous giving with money or that giving guarantees good things will happen. Keep the focus on faithfulness, honesty, and caring for God’s house, rather than on the amounts given.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for your house and for the people who take care of it. Help us be honest and faithful with everything you give us. Teach us to help others do their work well, and to care for the places where we worship you. Amen.
