This lesson teaches children that King Josiah loved God and led his whole country back to God after finding the Bible’s law in the Temple. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God’s words are precious, and when we find them, we should listen and obey them. Josiah was a young king who wanted to please God with his whole heart.
Memory Verse
2 Chronicles 34:2
He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.
(WEB)
Ask children to stand up tall and touch their toes when they say “right,” then point to the sky on “the LORD’s eyes.” Repeat it together three times, moving a little more each time so the words and motions stick.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 34 for Kids
Josiah became king of Judah when he was only eight years old. He was a young boy, but he chose to do what was right in God’s eyes. He followed the good ways of his grandfather David and did not wander away from God’s path.
When Josiah was sixteen, he began to seek the God of David. Four years later, he started to clean up his land. He tore down the idols and the altars that people had built to false gods. Men broke them into dust and scattered it so no one would worship them again.
Josiah sent workers to repair the Temple, the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. The people had given money to take care of God’s house, and the workers used it to buy wood and stone. The builders worked carefully, and everyone did their job well.
While they were working, the priest Hilkiah found an old book. It was the book of God’s law, which Moses had written long ago. Someone read it to King Josiah, and when he heard the words, he tore his clothes. He was sad that his people had not obeyed God’s words.
Josiah said to his helpers, “Go and ask the LORD what we should do, because God is angry that our people have not kept his word.” They went to a woman named Huldah, a prophet of God, and she gave them a message from the LORD. God said that Josiah had a tender heart, and because he had humbled himself, God would be gentle with him.
Josiah called all the people together in the Temple. He read the whole book of God’s covenant out loud to them. Then he promised to follow the LORD with all his heart, and all the people promised to follow God too.
Read It Together
2 Chronicles 34:3
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images.
(WEB)
Point out that Josiah began to seek God while he was still young. Explain that children can start loving God right now, no matter how old they are, and that God is glad when they do.
2 Chronicles 34:15
Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” So Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
(WEB)
Show how Hilkiah found the book of the law in God’s house. Remind children that God’s Word is kept safe, and that the Bible is a treasure they can read and learn from every day.
2 Chronicles 34:31
The king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
(WEB)
Point to the king’s promise to follow God with all his heart and all his soul. Explain that loving God is a choice we make, and that we can make it again each morning.
Talk About It
- What did Josiah do when he was only eight years old?
- How do you think Josiah felt when he heard God’s law read out loud?
- What is one thing you can do this week to follow God’s word?
- Why do you think it was important for Josiah to clean up the idols in his land?
- How can your family help take care of the places where you meet to worship God?
Activity Ideas
Treasure Book Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw an old book with a golden cover and write “God’s Word” on it. Let them decorate the pages with pictures of things God’s words teach, like love, kindness, and courage.
Follow the Leader Movement Game
Ask children to line up behind you. Call out simple actions like “clap,” “hop,” or “stretch up tall,” and have them copy you. Explain that Josiah followed God’s ways with all his heart, and that we can follow God by listening carefully to his instructions.
Take-Home Bible Bookmark
Cut strips of cardstock or heavy paper, about two inches wide and six inches long. Have each child write the memory verse on one side and decorate the other side. Encourage them to place the bookmark in their Bible at home and read a little bit each day this week.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God values his Word enough to preserve it, and that a sincere heart turns to God even in a time of spiritual neglect. For adults, Josiah’s story is a reminder that the people of God are called to return to his Scriptures, repent when we fall short, and seek God’s will with humility.
Avoid overstating to children that obeying God guarantees a peaceful life or that all their problems will go away. Focus instead on the truth that God is faithful, that he hears sincere hearts, and that he invites us to walk with him each day.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you for giving us your holy Word. Help us to listen to it carefully, just as Josiah did, and to love you with all our hearts. Make us brave and gentle people who follow you each day. Amen.
