In this lesson, children learn that when they look for God with their whole heart, they will find him. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is with us when we look for him with our whole heart. When we seek him, he helps us be brave and do what is right.
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 over their heart when they say “seek,” then open their arms wide on “found.” Let them repeat the verse with the motions three times, getting a little louder each time.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 15 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Israel forgot about the true God. They had no teacher to help them and no law to guide them. Trouble came from every side, and nations fought against each other. It was a very sad and scary time for everyone.
Then God sent a man named Azariah to speak to a king named Asa. Azariah walked out to meet Asa and the people of Judah and Benjamin. He gave them an important message. He said, “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you look for him, you will find him.”
King Asa listened carefully. He felt brave, so he got rid of the idols and bad things in the land. He also fixed the altar of the Lord, the special place where people worshiped God. Many people from other tribes came to join him, because they could see that God was with Asa.
All the people gathered together in Jerusalem. They gave thanks to God and offered many animals as gifts. Then they made a promise to look for the Lord with all their heart and all their soul. They shouted and blew trumpets, and they were very happy.
When they looked for God with their whole heart, they found him. God gave them peace all around their land. The king even took away the idol his own mother had made, and he gave his gifts to God’s house. For many years there was no more war.
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 the words “be strong” and “your work will be rewarded.” Explain that God wants us to keep trying and to be brave, because he sees what we do for him and cares about it.
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 the phrase “with all their heart and with all their soul.” Talk about how seeking God is not a small thing to do halfway. It means wanting him more than anything else.
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 that the people were happy because they had found God. Explain that when we look for God, he gives us peace, and the people in this story felt rest all around them.
Talk About It
- What did Azariah tell King Asa and the people to remember about God?
- How can you look for God when you are at home, at school, or at church?
- What do you think it felt like for the people to be brave and clean up their land?
- Why do you think the people shouted and blew trumpets when they made their promise?
- What is one way you can seek God with your whole heart this week?
Activity Ideas
Heart Treasure Hunt Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a small paper heart. Ask them to draw a picture of one way they can look for God, such as praying, reading a Bible, or helping someone. Have them tape the heart to the middle of their picture, then share what they drew with the group.
Seek and Find Game
Hide a few small objects around the room before class, such as a toy or a sticker. Let the children search for them while the teacher cheers them on. Then talk about how the hunt was fun because they kept looking until they found the treasures, just as the people in the story kept looking for God.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Have them write or draw one promise to seek God this week, such as saying a short prayer each morning. Encourage them to tape the card to their bedroom mirror or lunch box so they remember to look for God every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God welcomes people who turn back to him after a long time of drifting away. The people did not earn God’s help by being perfect. They sought him honestly, and he was found by them. The chapter reminds us that a sincere heart matters more than a flawless record.
With children, avoid suggesting that God will always make life easy or free from trouble when we seek him. The story describes peace and rest, but the people still faced hard times before they turned back to God. Focus on the closeness of God rather than promises of guaranteed outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, help us look for you with our whole heart. Make us brave like King Asa, and help us always remember that you are with us. Thank you for being found when we seek you. Amen.
