This lesson teaches children that God wants us to seek good, not evil, and to make things fair for everyone. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Use the simple story and the actions below to help the children remember it.
Big Idea
God loves what is good and fair. He wants us to choose kindness, help people who are treated unfairly, and keep our hearts close to Him.
Memory Verse
Amos 5:14
Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of Armies, will be with you, as you say.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart, then lift both arms up high like you are reaching for God. Say the verse together, and do the motion each time you say “good.” Keep doing it until the children can say it without you.
The Story: Amos 5 for Kids
A long time ago, a shepherd named Amos lived in the land of Israel. God sent him to speak to the people, who had been very busy with big parades and fancy celebrations. But they had forgotten how to be fair and kind to one another. Amos felt sad for them, so he spoke loudly so they would listen.
Amos told the people that they had stopped caring about the poor. Some people were taking money and food from those who had very little. Judges in the town square were accepting bribes, and they were turning away people who needed help. God saw all of this, and it made Him sad.
God was not telling them to give up. He said, “Seek me, and you will live.” He wanted them to turn away from the bad things they were doing and to choose what was good. He said they should hate evil and love good, and make sure that every person was treated fairly in the courts.
Amos said something that is easy to remember: “Let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” He wanted the people to be fair all the time, the way a river keeps flowing and never stops. He was telling them that God cares about how we treat each other, not just how we act at church.
The people had many feasts and songs, but God said He did not want those things if their hearts were far from Him. He wanted them to choose good first. Amos showed that God is faithful, and that He keeps calling people back to Him.
Read It Together
Amos 5:4
For the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me, and you will live…
(WEB)
Point out that God says, “Seek me, and you will live.” Explain that seeking God means looking for Him, talking to Him, and wanting to follow Him every day.
Amos 5:15
Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts. It may be that the LORD, the God of Armies, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
(WEB)
Show the children the two words “hate evil” and “love good.” Ask them to name one thing that is evil and one thing that is good, so they can see how God wants us to choose.
Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
(WEB)
Point to the picture of rivers and streams. Explain that justice means being fair, and God wants fairness to keep going, like a river that never runs dry.
Talk About It
- What is one good thing you can choose to do today?
- How did the people in Amos’s day forget to be fair to others?
- When someone is treated unfairly at school, what can you do to help?
- Why do you think God cares more about how we treat people than about the big parties?
- How can you keep seeking God when you are busy with fun things?
Activity Ideas
River of Justice Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a wavy blue river across the paper. Along the riverbanks, have them draw one fair action, such as sharing a toy or helping a friend. Talk about how fair actions keep flowing like the river.
Seek and Choose Game
You will need a few small objects, such as a spoon, a sock, and a ball. Hide the objects around the room. Tell the children to seek them, and whenever they find something, have them say one good choice they could make. Play until all the objects are found, then talk about how seeking good is like seeking the hidden treasures.
Take-Home Good Choices Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a rubber band. Have each child write “Seek good” on one side and draw a small heart on the other. Ask them to keep the card in a pocket or backpack and look at it each morning. The rubber band can hold a note card with one fair thing they will do that day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Amos 5 is a call to return to God through both worship and justice. The prophet warns that religious activity means little when people mistreat the poor and take bribes. God’s invitation to seek Him and to pursue justice still stands for every generation.
When teaching children, avoid making the lesson only about being good to earn God’s love. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His desire to be with us, so the children learn that seeking good is a response to a loving God.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, help us to seek You and to choose what is good every day. Show us how to be fair and kind to everyone we meet, and help us to love what You love. Let our lives be like a river of kindness that keeps flowing. Amen.
