This lesson teaches children that God sees how people treat each other and that He does not forget or ignore wrong. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God sees when people are unkind and unfair, and He cares about how everyone treats one another, even nations that are not His own people.
Memory Verse
Amos 1:2
He said: “The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds will mourn, and the top of Carmel will wither.”
(WEB)
Have children stand tall, then slowly lower their arms like a roar dying away. Say the verse together, lifting your arms high on “roar” and dropping them low on “mourn.” Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Amos 1 for Kids
A shepherd named Amos lived in a small town called Tekoa, south of Jerusalem. He took care of sheep and also picked figs from sycamore trees. One day God gave Amos a message, and it was not a happy one. God’s voice would roar from Jerusalem, and the green fields where shepherds led their flocks would begin to dry up and mourn.
Next, Amos told the people about the nations around them. God said that the city of Damascus had been very cruel. Its people had treated their neighbors like grain being crushed under heavy iron tools. God said He would not ignore this wrong. Then God spoke about Gaza, Tyre, Edom, and the people of Ammon, each one doing terrible things to others.
Each time, God repeated the same words: “For three transgressions, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment.” That means God had watched them do wrong again and again, and He would no longer hold back His judgment. The rulers of these places would be carried away, and their great buildings would be burned.
Think about how the crowd must have felt when they heard these words. Many of them were listening to a shepherd speak about nations far away. But the lesson is clear: God is not only the God of His own people. He watches all the nations and sees how they treat others.
When you read this chapter with children, remind them that God is fair. He does not let cruelty go unnoticed, and He cares deeply about the hurt that people cause one another.
Read It Together
Amos 1:3
The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron…
(WEB)
Point out the words “three transgressions” and “four.” Explain that a transgression is a wrong choice or a broken rule. Ask children to notice that God says He saw the wrongs over and over, so He was not surprised by them.
Amos 1:11
The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity, and his anger raged continually, and he kept his wrath forever…
(WEB)
Show children the phrase “cast off all pity.” Explain that pity means caring about how someone else feels. Talk about what it looks like to be kind when someone is hurting, and why God is sad when people choose not to care.
Amos 1:13
The LORD says: “For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.
(WEB)
This verse describes terrible harm done to innocent people. Keep the conversation gentle and simple. Tell children that God hates when anyone hurts the weak, and that it is always right to protect people who cannot protect themselves.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God saw in this story that made Him unhappy?
- Why do you think God cares about how people treat people who live far away?
- How can you be kind to someone who feels weak or left out this week?
- What does it mean to you that God never forgets when someone is treated unfairly?
- When you see someone being hurt, what is a safe and kind thing you can do?
Activity Ideas
Roaring Lion Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big lion’s face with a wide open mouth, because God’s voice roars from Zion in this chapter. Then have them write one kind thing they can do this week around the lion. Hang the pictures where the family or class can see them.
Fair or Unfair Movement Game
Clear a space in the room. Call out a simple action, like sharing a toy or pushing someone out of line. Children stand tall if the action is kind and crouch low with a sad face if it is unkind. Stop after a few rounds and talk about how God wants us to choose kindness every time.
Take-Home Kindness Jar
Gather an empty jar, some paper scraps, and a pen. Ask children to write or draw one kind act they did during the week and place it in the jar. At the end of the month, read the notes together and thank God for helping them care for others. This reminds children that God sees every good choice too.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Amos 1 shows that God holds all nations accountable for justice and mercy, not just His chosen people. The repeated phrase “for three transgressions, yes, for four” points to a patient God who has watched wrongdoing for a long time before acting. Adults can take comfort that God is never indifferent to suffering and that He calls His people to reflect His concern for justice.
Be careful not to frighten children with talk of fire and punishment or to suggest that God is angry with them personally. Keep the focus on God being fair and loving, and on the children’s own choices to be kind. Avoid turning the lesson into a list of other nations’ sins that children might tease or label.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for seeing everything and for caring about how people treat each other. Help us to be kind and fair, especially to people who are hurting or left out. When we make wrong choices, help us to say sorry and to choose better. Thank You for being a loving and fair God who never forgets. Amen.
