In this lesson children learn that when people look for God with their whole heart, they find him, and that God gives good things to those who seek him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is always near, and when we look for him with our whole heart, we will find him. He keeps his promises to people who love him.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin! The LORD is with you, while you are with him; and if you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands together, then slowly open them wide as they say the words “he will be found by you.” Let them do the motion each time the verse is read. Repeating the motion makes the words easy to recall later.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 15 for Kids
King Asa ruled the land of Judah, and he loved God. One day a prophet named Azariah came to meet him. Azariah had a message from God, and he spoke it loudly so everyone could hear.
Azariah told King Asa that God is with those who are with him. He said that if people look for God, they will find him. But he also said that if people turn away from God, God will not stay close to them. Azariah reminded the people that for a long time, Israel had lived without the true God and without good teachers, and everything had gone wrong.
When King Asa heard these words, he felt brave. He went through the land and removed the idols that people had been worshiping. He also fixed the altar of the Lord in front of the temple. Many people from other tribes came to live with Judah, because they saw that the Lord was with Asa.
All the people gathered together in Jerusalem. They offered sacrifices to the Lord, and they made a promise to seek the Lord with all their heart and all their soul. They shouted and blew trumpets to show how happy they were to make this promise. Everyone who sought the Lord was truly found by him, and God gave the land rest from war.
King Asa also made sure that his own mother, Maacah, no longer served as queen, because she had made an idol. Asa destroyed the idol and brought valuable gifts into God’s house. The Bible says there was no more war for many years, because God gave his people peace.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 15:7
But you be strong, and don’t let your hands be slack; for your work will be rewarded.”
(WEB)
Point out that Azariah tells Asa to be strong and not let his hands grow slack. Explain that this means keep working hard for God even when it feels tiring. Ask the children what helps them keep going when a task is hard.
2 Chronicles 15:12-13
12 They entered into the covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 and that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
(WEB)
Show the children how the people made a promise to seek God with all their heart. Explain that a promise is something we choose to keep. Let them think about what it looks like to seek God with their whole heart at home and at school.
2 Chronicles 15:15
All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found by them. Then the LORD gave them rest all around.
(WEB)
Point out the words “they sought him with their whole desire; and he was found by them.” Explain that God is never hiding from the people who truly look for him. Remind the children that this is good news they can count on today.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to seek God with your whole heart?
- How did King Asa show that he trusted God when he removed the idols?
- Why did the people shout and blow trumpets when they made their promise?
- What is one way you can look for God this week?
- How do you feel knowing that God is always close to people who love him?
Activity Ideas
Seeking Treasure Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons. Ask them to draw a treasure chest and write or draw one way they can look for God, like reading a Bible story or praying each morning. Hang the pictures on the wall so everyone can see how they plan to seek God. Keep the crayons and paper ready so children can add to their drawings each week.
Hide and Seek Game
Choose one child to hide a small paper heart somewhere in the room while the others close their eyes. When the children open their eyes, they search with their whole heart and try to find the hidden heart. Talk about how the people in the story sought God with their whole desire and were found by him. Play several rounds so every child gets a turn to hide and seek.
Take-Home Promise Card
Cut index cards in half and give one to each child. Help them write or draw a promise to seek God this week, such as praying before bed or thanking God at dinner. Encourage them to place the card on their bedside table or the kitchen counter. Ask the family to talk about the promise together at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God responds to those who genuinely seek him, and that seeking him is a whole-hearted commitment rather than a casual habit. It also shows how a faithful leader can call a community back to God, and how that renewal brings peace. Adults can see here both the warning that turning away from God brings trouble and the promise that returning to him brings rest.
Avoid suggesting to children that God’s blessings always come immediately or that every hard situation will end the moment they pray. Keep the focus on God being near and faithful, not on guaranteed outcomes or rewards for good behavior.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we want to seek you with our whole heart. Help us look for you each day in our prayers, in the Bible, and in the people who love us. Thank you that you are always near and that you keep your promises. Help us be strong and keep working for you. Amen.
