In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when life seems unfair or confusing. The story of 2 Kings 8 is best for ages 5 to 11, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the verses, and one activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, even when we cannot see how He will do it. He takes care of His people in every season.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 8:1
Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise, and go, you and your household, and stay for a while wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine. It will also come on the land for seven years.”
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, as if carrying something heavy. Then have them slowly lift their hands up high while they say the verse together. This helps them remember that God is the one who takes care of His people.
The Story: 2 Kings 8 for Kids
A woman lived in the town of Shunem with her family. Long ago, the prophet Elisha had helped her, and he had even brought her son back to life. One day Elisha told her, “God has called for a famine in the land. Take your family and go somewhere else for a while.” The woman trusted Elisha’s words. She packed up her home and lived in the land of the Philistines for seven years.
When the seven years were over, the woman came home. She was worried, because strangers might be living in her house and farming her land. She went to the king to ask for her house and her field back. At that same time, the king’s helper, Gehazi, was telling the king about all the great things Elisha had done. Gehazi pointed to the woman and said, “This is the woman, and this is her son, the boy Elisha brought back to life!”
The king listened carefully. Then he gave an order to one of his officers: “Give this woman back everything that was hers, and give her all the food from the fields since the day she left.” The king wanted to make things right. God had kept His word to the woman, and she got back what was hers.
Next, Elisha traveled to the city of Damascus. The king of Syria, whose name was Ben-hadad, was very sick. He sent his servant Hazael to ask Elisha a question: “Will the king get better?” Hazael brought gifts with him, and he stood in front of Elisha. Elisha told him, “Go and tell the king he will get better. But God has shown me that he will die.” Elisha looked at Hazael for a long time, and then Elisha began to cry. He knew about the hard things Hazael would do to God’s people in the future.
Hazael went back to the king and told him only the good part. The next day, Hazael covered the king’s face with a wet cloth, and the king died. Then Hazael became the new king. The story shows that people do not always do what is right, but God is still in control of what happens next.
Read It Together
2 Kings 8:3-6
3 At the end of seven years, the woman returned from the land of the Philistines. Then she went out to beg the king for her house and for her land. 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5 As he was telling the king how he had restored to life him who was dead, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, begged the king for her house and for her land. Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.”
(WEB)
Point out that the woman came back after seven years and found that God had kept her land safe. Show children how the king gave back everything that belonged to her. Explain that God cares about our homes, our belongings, and our needs.
2 Kings 8:14-15
14 Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” He answered, “He told me that you would surely recover.” 15 On the next day, he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.
(WEB)
Point out that Hazael lied to the king, and he did something very wrong. Explain to children that God sees everything we do, and that people cannot hide their actions from Him. This shows why it is always important to tell the truth and do what is right.
Talk About It
- What did God ask the woman to do when the famine came, and how did she respond?
- How do you think the woman felt when she came home and found her land waiting for her?
- Why do you think Elisha cried when he looked at Hazael?
- What is one promise from God that you have seen Him keep in your life?
- What is one way you can trust God when things do not go the way you hoped?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Promise Keeper
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of the woman’s home with a door and a tree outside. Then have them draw a small sun or rainbow in the sky to remind them that God keeps His promises. Let children share their drawings and explain what their picture shows about God’s care.
Famine and Feast Game
Clear some space in the room so children can move around freely. Call out “Famine!” and have children stand very still with their hands at their sides. Then call out “Feast!” and have them jump up and wave their arms like they are celebrating a meal. Play a few rounds, and talk about how God takes care of His people in both hard times and good times.
Promise Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a pen, and a stick of tape or a small magnet. Write “God keeps His promises” on one side of each card and the memory verse on the other. Help each child decorate the card with a simple drawing. Encourage them to tape the card to the fridge, a mirror, or a bedroom door so they can see it each day and remember God’s faithfulness.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God is faithful to His word, even when people around us make choices that hurt others. The woman trusted Elisha’s warning, and God protected her family and returned her property. Adults can take comfort that God works through events both large and small, and that He remembers the needs of His people. The chapter also shows that God is aware of the wrongdoing of leaders and servants, and He will bring about justice in His time.
One thing to avoid is suggesting that God always gives people back exactly what they lost or that faithfulness means a happy ending every time. Children may later face loss or delay in situations where God’s answer is different. Keep the focus on God’s character and trustworthiness rather than promising specific outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us. When we feel scared or confused, help us remember that You are always with us. Teach us to trust You in every season, and help us do what is right and good. Thank You for loving us and taking care of us every day. Amen.
