This lesson teaches children that they can bring their worries and questions to God, even when they don’t understand what is happening, because God hears them and is always in control. It suits children about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God hears us when we are worried, and we can bring Him our hard questions. He is always good, even when we don’t understand what He is doing.
Memory Verse
Habakkuk 1:12
Aren’t you from everlasting, the LORD my God, my Holy One? We will not die. The LORD, you have appointed him for judgment. You, Rock, have established him to punish.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and then lift both hands up to the sky, as if you are giving your worries to God. Say the words slowly with the motion each time, and let the children do it with you.
The Story: Habakkuk 1 for Kids
Long ago there was a prophet named Habakkuk. He lived in the land of Judah, and he saw many bad things happening all around him. People were hurting one another, and there was fighting everywhere. Habakkuk did not like what he saw.
So Habakkuk talked to God. He said, “Lord, how long will I keep crying out for help? Why won’t You save us?” He felt like God was not listening. He wondered why God let such sad things happen.
God answered Habakkuk. He told him that He was doing something that Habakkuk would find hard to believe. God said He was raising up the Babylonians, a fierce and fast army, to come and punish the wrong that was happening in Judah.
The Babylonian army was strong and scary. Their horses were quick, and their soldiers were fierce, like eagles swooping down to catch their food. They took many people as prisoners, and they did not care about what was right.
Habakkuk was confused. He said to God, “You are holy and You never die. You are my Rock. How can You let such a wicked nation win?” He still did not understand, but he kept talking to God and waited to see what would happen.
In the end, Habakkuk learned that he could bring all his questions to God. God was still in control, even when things looked very wrong.
Read It Together
Habakkuk 1:2
The LORD, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you “Violence!” and will you not save?
(WEB)
Point out that Habakkuk brought his problem straight to God and asked Him to listen. Explain that it is good to talk to God about what makes us sad or scared.
Habakkuk 1:13
You who have purer eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those who deal treacherously, and keep silent when the wicked swallows up the man who is more righteous than he…
(WEB)
Show the children that Habakkuk describes God as pure and good, who cannot look at evil. Explain that God always does what is right, even when we cannot see it yet.
Habakkuk 1:5
“Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it is told you.
(WEB)
Point out that God told Habakkuk to look around and watch what He was doing. Explain that God can do things we would never expect, and we can trust Him.
Talk About It
- What is something that makes you worried or scared when you think about it?
- What did Habakkuk do when he did not understand what God was doing?
- How do you think Habakkuk felt when God told him about the Babylonians?
- What can you say to God when you have a question you cannot answer?
- How does it help to know that God is always good, even when things seem wrong?
Activity Ideas
Worry Cloud Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a small cloud on their paper and write or draw one worry inside it. Then have them draw a big heart underneath the cloud, and talk about how they can give that worry to God.
Hands Up Game
Have the children stand in a circle. Call out a worry, such as “I am scared of the dark,” and everyone raises both hands high toward the ceiling to show they are giving it to God. Keep the game short and cheerful, and end by saying the memory verse together while doing the motion.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, some paper scraps, and a pen. Each day, have your child write one worry on a scrap and place it in the jar. Once a week, open the jar together, read the notes, and pray over each one, thanking God that He hears every worry.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Habakkuk 1 shows that honest questions to God are a real part of faith. The prophet is not punished for asking why evil seems to go unchecked, and God responds to him directly. Adults can take comfort that God welcomes hard questions and remains faithful even when His ways are hard to understand.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always explain everything to them right away, or that asking questions guarantees an answer they like. Keep the focus on God’s goodness and His presence, rather than promising specific outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that we can talk to You about everything, even the things that worry us. Help us remember that You hear us and that You are always good. When we don’t understand, help us trust You. Amen.
