This lesson teaches children that when God’s people find his Word, they should listen to it and turn their hearts back to him, even when it takes courage to clean up what has gone wrong. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God’s Word tells us how to love him, and when we listen and obey, we can turn our whole hearts back to God, even when others have gone the wrong way.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 23:3
The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up tall, then place both hands over their hearts as they say the verse together. On the words “all his heart,” have them press their hands firmly against their chests. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time, until they can say it from memory with their hands still over their hearts.
The Story: 2 Kings 23 for Kids
King Josiah was a young king of Judah who loved God. One day, workers were cleaning out the Lord’s house, the temple in Jerusalem, and they found an old book. It was the Book of the Law, God’s own words given through Moses, and it had been lost for a long time.
When the book was read to King Josiah, he was very sad, because he saw how far God’s people had wandered from God. He tore his clothes to show how sorry he was. Then he called all the people together, from the oldest grandpa to the smallest child, and he read God’s words to every one of them.
King Josiah stood beside a pillar and made a promise before the Lord. He said he would follow God with all his heart and keep God’s commands. All the people agreed to make the same promise with him.
Next, Josiah went through the whole land and removed everything that was used to worship false gods. He had the idol statues brought out of the temple and burned them outside the city. He also tore down the places where people had been worshiping things that were not God.
Josiah even found the old altar in Bethel, where a man of God had once spoken a warning many years before. When he heard about the warning, he said, “Let his bones be. Leave them alone.” He honored God’s message just as it had been spoken long ago.
Then King Josiah told all the people to celebrate the Passover to the Lord, just as God’s Word commanded. It was a joyful time that the people had not kept in a very long time. Josiah loved God more than anyone before him, and he gave his whole life to turning back to the Lord.
Read It Together
2 Kings 23:2
The king went up to the LORD’s house, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, with the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the LORD’s house.
(WEB)
Point out that the king read God’s words to everyone, not just to the leaders. Ask the children why it matters that the whole family heard God’s Word together, and let them share ideas.
2 Kings 23:21
The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.”
(WEB)
Show the children that King Josiah wanted everyone to remember God’s commands and celebrate them. Explain that the Passover was a special feast where God’s people remembered how he rescued them, and that remembering God’s goodness is still important today.
2 Kings 23:25
There was no king like him before him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him.
(WEB)
Point out the words “with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might.” Help the children notice that Josiah loved God completely, and talk about simple ways they can love God with everything they have.
Talk About It
- What did King Josiah do when he heard God’s words that had been lost for a long time?
- Why do you think it was important for everyone to hear God’s Word, not just the king?
- What are some things that can take our hearts away from God, and how can we turn back to him?
- How did King Josiah show that he really meant the promise he made to God?
- What is one way you can love God with all your heart this week?
Activity Ideas
Heart Collage Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large heart and write or draw things they love about God inside it. Then let them decorate the outside with colorful shapes. Talk together about how we can fill our hearts with God’s Word and love.
Follow the Leader Game
Choose one child to be King Josiah, and have the other children follow his movements, like marching, clapping, or stomping. Then let the children take turns being the leader. Afterward, talk about how Josiah led his people to follow God, and how we can follow God too.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Have them write or draw one way they promise to love God with all their heart this week. Encourage them to tape the card somewhere they will see it each morning, like on the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator, and to share it with their family at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s Word has the power to bring people back to him after a long season of drifting away. Josiah did not simply feel sorry; he heard the truth, responded with humility, and took practical steps to remove what displeased God. The chapter also reminds us that real faith includes both listening to Scripture and acting on it in everyday life.
Be careful not to suggest that obeying the rules earns God’s love, since Josiah’s obedience flowed from a heart already devoted to the Lord. Children should understand that God loves them first, and that loving him back is a response to his goodness rather than a way of earning it.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for giving us your Word so we can know how to love you. Help us to listen carefully, like King Josiah did, and to follow you with all our hearts. When it is hard to do what is right, give us courage and remind us that you are always with us. Amen.
