In this lesson, children learn that God keeps his promises, and that we should follow him with our whole hearts instead of copying the wrong things others do. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God always keeps his word, so we should love and obey him with all our hearts, even when it is hard.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 10:30
The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, and have done to Ahab’s house according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are carrying a heavy bowl. Slowly lift them up and say the verse together, then bring your hands down to your heart. Do this three times, faster each time, until everyone knows it.
The Story: 2 Kings 10 for Kids
A long time ago, a king named Ahab ruled over Israel. He had seventy sons, and God had said that Ahab’s family would be punished for the wrong things they did. Then a man named Jehu became king. Jehu wanted to be sure that Ahab’s family was gone, so he sent a letter to the leaders of the city where Ahab’s sons lived.
The leaders were scared. Jehu was a strong man, and they did not want to fight him. So they did what he asked, and they sent him the heads of all seventy of the king’s sons. Jehu said, “Lay them in two piles at the gate until morning.” When morning came, he told all the people that he had done this, but he also said, “The LORD has done just what he promised through his servant Elijah.”
Jehu kept going. He found more people from Ahab’s family and their friends, and he dealt with them too. Then he met a man named Jehonadab, who loved God. Jehu asked him, “Is your heart right with God, as my heart is with yours?” Jehonadab said yes, and Jehu invited him to ride with him in his chariot. Jehu said, “Come and see my zeal for the LORD.”
Next, Jehu tricked the people who worshiped a false god named Baal. He told them he would hold a big sacrifice for Baal, and he invited everyone to come. When they all came into the temple, Jehu’s guards went in and destroyed them. Then they tore down the statue and the temple, so Baal was removed from Israel.
God was pleased that Jehu had destroyed Baal worship and done what was right in God’s eyes. But Jehu did not fully follow God. He kept worshiping the golden calves, and he did not obey God with his whole heart. Because of this, God let other nations take parts of Israel’s land.
Read It Together
2 Kings 10:15
When he had departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. He greeted him, and said to him, “Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart?” Jehonadab answered, “It is.” “If it is, give me your hand.” He gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
(WEB)
Point out that Jehonadab was a man who loved God and wanted to honor him. Ask the children what kind of friend Jehonadab was to Jehu, and why it matters who we spend time with.
2 Kings 10:18-19
18 Jehu gathered all the people together, and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu will serve him much. 19 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all of his worshipers, and all of his priests. Let no one be absent; for I have a great sacrifice to Baal. Whoever is absent, he shall not live.” But Jehu did deceptively, intending to destroy the worshipers of Baal.
(WEB)
Show that Jehu was pretending to serve Baal so he could trap the worshipers. Explain that we should never lie or trick people, even when we think we are doing something good.
2 Kings 10:31
But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin.
(WEB)
Point out that Jehu did some good things but did not follow God with all his heart. Help the children see that obeying God only some of the time is not the same as loving him completely.
Talk About It
- What is one thing Jehu did that pleased God, and what is one thing he left undone?
- How can we tell if someone is a friend who helps us love God?
- Why do you think God wants us to follow him with our whole heart?
- When have you seen someone pretend to be something they are not, and how did it make you feel?
- What is one way you can show God you love him this week?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a large heart on the paper and cut it out. Ask them to write or draw one way they can love God with their whole heart, such as sharing, praying, or helping at home. Tape the hearts to the wall as a reminder.
Follow the Leader Game
You will need an open space and a few chairs. Choose one child to be the leader, and have the others follow their movements, like jumping, clapping, or turning in circles. Then talk about how we follow God as our true leader, and how we should not just follow the crowd when it goes the wrong way.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a small envelope for each child. Write “God keeps his promises” on one side and ask the child to draw a heart on the other. Encourage the family to read the card together at dinner for the next week and talk about one way they can serve God as a family.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God is faithful to his word, even when the people involved are cruel or confused. Jehu carried out God’s judgment on Ahab’s house, but his own heart was divided, and he did not walk fully in the law of the LORD. For adults, the passage invites honest self-examination: we can do some right things for God while still holding back parts of our lives.
Be careful not to suggest to children that Jehu was simply a bad man or that every violent act in this chapter is a model to copy. The story is complex, and children may latch onto the trickery or the bloodshed. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and the call to wholehearted love for him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you always keep your promises. Help us love you with our whole hearts, not just on some days. Teach us to be honest and kind, and help us follow you in everything we do. Amen.
