This lesson teaches children that God wants us to obey Him and not copy bad choices, even when those around us make them. It is best for ages 5 to 11, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to follow Him, and He does not want us to copy the bad things other people do. When we obey God, we are choosing the right path every day.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 21:2
He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, after the abominations of the nations whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall, then slowly bend down low as they say the words. Then stand up straight again. Repeat it together three times so the children remember that doing wrong pulls us down, but we can always choose to stand up and do what is right.
The Story: 2 Kings 21 for Kids
A young boy named Manasseh became king of Judah when he was only twelve years old. He ruled for fifty-five long years in the city of Jerusalem. Even though his father, King Hezekiah, had tried to help the people love God, Manasseh chose a different path. He wanted to be like the wicked kings who lived before him.
Manasseh built altars to false gods called Baal, and he even put idols in the Lord’s house, the holy temple. Sadly, he did not listen to God’s warning. The Lord had said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem,” and He wanted the people to remember Him there. Manasseh chose to ignore that and filled the city with sin instead.
The Lord sent His servants, the prophets, to speak to Manasseh and the people. They told the king that because of his wicked choices, bad things would happen to Jerusalem. The people had many chances to turn back to God, but most of them did not listen.
When Manasseh died, his son Amon became king. Amon was only twenty-two years old, and he also did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He copied his father and worshiped the idols that his father had worshiped. He did not walk in the Lord’s way at all.
After only two years, some of Amon’s own servants made a plan against him and killed him in his house. The people of the land were angry about this, so they stopped those men and made Amon’s young son Josiah the new king. Josiah would go on to be a very different kind of king, but that story comes later.
Read It Together
2 Kings 21:3
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them.
(WEB)
Point out how Manasseh rebuilt the high places that his father had torn down. Explain that when a good king removes bad things, a bad king can bring them right back, so we must be careful about what we let into our hearts.
2 Kings 21:7-8
7 He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made in the house of which the LORD said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever; 8 I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God gave His people a promise and a clear command to follow. Ask them to notice the words “if only they will observe,” because God always wants us to listen and obey His word.
2 Kings 21:16
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the LORD’s sight.
(WEB)
Explain gently that this verse tells us Manasseh hurt many innocent people. Remind children that God cares deeply about how we treat others, and that every person matters to Him.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would have been like for Manasseh to be king when he was only twelve years old?
- Why do you think Manasseh chose to copy the bad kings who lived before him?
- How can you tell when someone is trying to pull you away from doing what God wants?
- What is one thing you can do this week to choose to follow God instead of copying what is wrong?
- Who are some people who help you stay close to God, and how can you thank them?
Activity Ideas
Stand Tall Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a tall, strong tree on one side of the paper and a small, bent-over tree on the other. Talk about how the tree that grows toward the sun stands tall, just as we stand strong when we follow God. Let the children decorate their trees and write the word “Choose” at the bottom.
Follow the Leader Game
Gather the children in an open space. One child is the leader, and everyone else must copy every movement the leader makes. After a minute, switch leaders. Afterward, ask the children how it felt to copy someone else, and talk about how we must be careful to copy only what is good and follow God’s way.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards or small pieces of cardstock and a marker. Have each child write or draw one way they will choose to follow God this week. Ask them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, like on the bathroom mirror or their bedroom door. Encourage families to talk about the card together at dinner during the week.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that a person’s choices affect many people, including those who come after them. Manasseh’s life reminds adults that God takes sin seriously, but it also shows that the story of God’s people continues even when leaders fail. Adults should remember that God’s faithfulness is steady, even when human leaders are not.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that the sins of a king automatically cause every bad thing that happens to a city or a family. The Bible does teach that choices have consequences, but children should be reminded that God loves them and that they can always choose to follow Him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for loving us and wanting us to follow You. Help us to choose what is good, even when others make wrong choices. Help us to stand tall and be brave when we need to, and help us to love and care for the people around us. Amen.
