This lesson teaches children that God helps us keep doing what is right, and that everyone in God’s family works and helps others. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is faithful and helps us. We do good work and keep doing what is right, and we help take care of one another.
Memory Verse
2 Thessalonians 3:13
But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.
(WEB)
Hold both hands up with your palms facing you, then slowly raise them higher as you say the verse. Pretend you are lifting a heavy box together with your friends, and keep your hands strong and steady the whole time.
The Story: 2 Thessalonians 3 for Kids
Paul was a friend who wrote letters to the church in the city of Thessalonica. In this letter he asked the believers to pray for him and his helpers. He wanted the good news about Jesus to spread quickly, and he wanted people to be glorified, which means to honor God and show how wonderful God is.
Paul knew that some people in the world were not kind, and some did not want to believe in Jesus. He asked the church to pray that he and his friends would be protected from people who meant harm. Then Paul reminded everyone that the Lord is faithful. The Lord would make the church strong and keep them safe from the evil one.
Next, Paul spoke about work. When Paul was in Thessalonica, he did not ask anyone for free food. He worked with his own hands night and day, so he would not be a burden to anyone. He wanted to set a good example for the people he loved.
Some people in the church were not working at all. They were busy talking about other people’s business instead of doing their own jobs. Paul told them to work quietly and earn their own bread. He said, in simple words, that people who will not work should not expect others to take care of them.
Then Paul gave a happy message to the whole church. He told them not to get tired of doing what is right. He said that if someone did not follow what the letter said, they should be noticed and kept at a little distance, so that they would feel sorry and want to change. But Paul also said, “Do not count him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” Paul prayed that the Lord of peace would give them peace always and in every way.
Paul ended by writing his greeting with his own hand, so everyone would know the letter was truly from him. He wished God’s grace to be with them all.
Read It Together
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one.
(WEB)
Point out that the Lord is faithful, which means God always keeps his promises. Ask children to name a time when someone kept a promise to them, and explain that God keeps his promises even better.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
(WEB)
Point out that the Lord of peace gives peace at all times and in all ways. Explain that peace means feeling calm and safe, and God wants to give that to us every day, even on hard days.
Talk About It
- What is one good thing you can do at home this week to help your family?
- How do you feel when someone works hard to help you, and how can you thank them?
- What can you do when a friend is not being kind, so that you still treat them as a brother or sister?
- Why do you think God is faithful even when we forget about him?
- What helps you feel peaceful when you are worried or upset?
Activity Ideas
Hands at Work Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to trace their hand on the paper and write one job they can do to help at home inside the outline. Let them color the hand bright, and hang the drawings up together to show that everyone’s hands can work for God.
Helping Hands Relay
You will need two baskets and some toy blocks or soft balls. Divide children into two teams and have them pass the blocks from one basket to the other, one at a time, moving carefully. Talk about how working together quietly and steadily helps everyone finish the job.
Peace Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, some paper strips, and a pen. Each day, family members write one thing that gave them peace or one kind thing someone did for them, then fold the paper and drop it in the jar. Read the notes together at dinner to remember that the Lord of peace gives us peace every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that faith is lived out in ordinary, daily faithfulness. Paul asks believers to pray, to keep doing good, to work honestly, and to stay patient with one another, all while trusting that the Lord is faithful and gives true peace. The chapter also shows that the church is a family where believers are both encouraged and gently corrected.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that every hard situation will end the way we hope. Focus instead on the truth that God is faithful and gives peace, while being honest that people sometimes feel sad or scared, and that God is with them in those times.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank you for being faithful and for keeping us safe. Help us to work hard, to do what is right, and to help the people around us. Give us your peace today and every day, and help us to be kind to one another. Amen.
