This lesson teaches children that God gave His people His Word, and when King Josiah heard it read, he listened, was sorry, and turned his heart back to God. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God speaks to us through His Word, and when we listen with a humble heart, we can turn back to Him. Even a king can say sorry and change his ways.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 22:19
Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says the LORD.
(WEB)
Put your hand over your heart when you say “tender heart,” then bow your head a little as you say “humbled yourself.” Let the motion show that a soft heart bends low before God.
The Story: 2 Kings 22 for Kids
Once there was a boy king named Josiah. He became king of Judah when he was only eight years old. Josiah loved God and tried to do what was right, just like his great-great-grandfather David had done long before him.
One day, Josiah sent his helper Shaphan to the Temple in Jerusalem. The people were fixing up God’s house, and they needed to pay the workers. While Shaphan was there, Hilkiah the priest said, “I found the Book of the Law in the Temple!” Shaphan took the scroll and read it.
Then Shaphan took the scroll to the king and read it out loud. When Josiah heard what God’s Word said, he tore his clothes. He was very sad, because he saw that the people had not been listening to God. He said, “We must ask God what to do!”
So the king sent his helpers to a woman named Huldah, who was a prophet, which means she spoke messages from God. Huldah told them that God would bring trouble on the land because the people had turned away from Him. But God also had a message for Josiah. God said, “Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself, I have heard you.”
God promised that Josiah would be buried in peace before the trouble came. Josiah was sorry for his sins, and God noticed his humble heart. Josiah’s helpers carried God’s message back to him.
Read It Together
2 Kings 22:2
He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in all the way of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.
(WEB)
Point out that Josiah did what was right in God’s eyes, even though he was very young. Ask children what they can do right now to please God, even if they are small.
2 Kings 22:8
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
(WEB)
Show children that the Book of the Law had been lost for a long time. Explain that God’s Word is precious, and it is always worth searching for and reading together.
2 Kings 22:11
When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
(WEB)
Explain that tearing clothes was a sign of deep sorrow in that time. Help children see that when we understand we have done wrong, our hearts should feel sorry and we should want to change.
Talk About It
- What did Josiah do when he heard God’s Word read to him?
- Why do you think Josiah was so young when he became king, and what could he still do to honor God?
- How can you listen to God’s Word at home or at church?
- What does it mean to have a tender heart toward God?
- What are some ways you can say sorry to God and to the people you love?
Activity Ideas
Scroll Drawing Craft
You will need a long strip of paper, two paper towel tubes, crayons, and tape. Have children draw a picture of the Temple or of God’s Word on the paper, then roll the ends around the tubes. Let them unroll the scroll to share with the class, and talk about how Josiah found the scroll and read it to the king.
Tender Heart Freeze Game
Play a simple freeze game like musical statues. When the music stops, children freeze and show a tender heart pose by placing a hand on their chest and bowing their heads. When the music starts again, they move around the room like they are running to God. Name a feeling of sadness or sorry as you play, so children connect the movement with humbling themselves before God.
Sorry Note Take-Home
Give each child a small card, a pencil, and an envelope. Ask them to write or draw one thing they will say sorry for this week, then seal it in the envelope. Encourage them to bring it home and share with a parent how God forgives us when we humble ourselves.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s Word has power to reveal our sin and call us back to Him. The discovery of the Book of the Law led to repentance, reform, and a renewed commitment to God’s covenant. It also reminds us that God responds to a humble, repentant heart, even when judgment is coming.
Avoid suggesting to children that God only loves us when we are sorry or that every bad event happens because someone was naughty. Keep the focus on God’s faithful character, His desire for our hearts, and His forgiveness.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word so we can know You. Help us to listen with tender hearts, to be sorry when we do wrong, and to turn back to You. Help us to do what is right, just like young King Josiah. Amen.
