This lesson teaches children that God gave Israel food, clothes and a good land, and that we remember to thank Him instead of forgetting Him when we have plenty. It works well for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God takes care of us every day, so we remember Him and thank Him, even when life is easy.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 8:10
You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which he has given you.
(WEB)
Have children sit down, rub their tummies, and say “full” together. Then have them place both hands on their hearts and say “thank you, God” while they do it, so the verse goes from their stomachs to their hearts.
The Story: Deuteronomy 8 for Kids
Moses was talking to the people of Israel, and he wanted them to remember something important. For forty years they had walked through a hot, dry desert. There was very little to eat and almost no water. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not get sore, even after all those years of walking.
Every morning, the ground was covered with a special bread from heaven called manna. The people had never seen anything like it. God gave it to them so they would learn that people need more than bread to live. They need every word that comes from God. God was teaching them to trust Him every single day.
Moses told them God was like a loving father who teaches his child. Sometimes God let them feel hungry or tired so they would learn to depend on Him. Then God brought them to a good land with streams, wheat, grapes, olives and honey. Moses said, “You will eat and be full, so bless the Lord your God for this good land.”
Moses gave a warning too. He said, “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord and think you made all this good stuff yourselves.” He reminded them that God was the one who brought them out of Egypt and gave them the power to get wealth. If they forgot God and started worshiping other gods, they would be in trouble, just like the nations that were destroyed before them.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
2 You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. 3 He humbled you, and allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know; that he might teach you that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the LORD’s mouth.
(WEB)
Point out that God led the people through the desert on purpose, to teach them to trust Him. Ask children what they think it means that people do not live by bread alone.
Deuteronomy 8:7-9
7 For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of springs, and underground water flowing into valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey; 9 a land in which you shall eat bread without scarceness, you shall not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper.
(WEB)
Show children how many good things God gave the people in the new land. Have them name one good thing from their own home that God gave them, like food, water or a warm bed.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
17 And lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.” 18 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.
(WEB)
Explain that the people were tempted to think they had earned everything on their own. Help children see that God is the one who gives us the ability to do good work and get what we need.
Talk About It
- What is one good thing God has given you this week?
- How do you feel when someone remembers to thank you for something you did?
- Why do you think God let the people feel hungry in the desert?
- What might happen if we forget to thank God when we have plenty?
- What is one way we can remember God during our day?
Activity Ideas
Thankful Tree Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a marker. Have each child draw a simple tree trunk and branches on the paper. Ask them to draw or write one good thing God gave them on each branch, such as food, family, or the sun. Let them show their tree to the class and say thank you to God together.
Manna Hunt Game
You will need small paper circles or cotton balls and a room or yard to hide them in. Scatter the paper circles around the space and let children search for them, like the people gathering manna each morning. Explain that they must gather only what they need for the day. Talk about how God provided food every day and how we can trust Him each day too.
Take-Home Thank You Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen. Give each child a jar and some paper strips. Ask them to write or draw one thing they are thankful for each day during the week. At the end of the week, have the family read the notes together and thank God for each one. This helps children remember God’s goodness at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is about the danger of forgetting God when life is comfortable. Moses reminds Israel that every good thing comes from the Lord, and that pride can make us think we earned everything ourselves. It also shows that God’s discipline is a form of loving guidance, like a father teaching a child.
Avoid telling children that God will always make them rich or give them everything they want. The chapter speaks of God’s faithful care and provision, not a promise that every life will be easy. Keep the focus on trust and gratitude rather than on material blessings.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for taking care of us every day. Thank You for our food, our homes, and our friends. Help us remember that every good thing comes from You. Help us to say thank you and to trust You each morning. Amen.
