This lesson teaches children that when we are scared, we can take our worries to God in prayer, and he hears us and keeps his promises. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God hears us when we are scared, and he is stronger than any enemy. When we pray and trust him, he keeps his promise to protect his people.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 37:6
Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master, ‘The LORD says, “Don’t be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up tall, then slowly fold their hands and bow their heads on the word “afraid.” Then have them lift their arms wide on the words “God says,” showing that God’s words lift our fear away. Practice it three times together.
The Story: Isaiah 37 for Kids
A long time ago, a mean king named Sennacherib ruled the land of Assyria. He sent a loud, bragging messenger to the city of Jerusalem, where a good king named Hezekiah lived. The messenger shouted insults at God and told the people that their God could never save them. The people were very frightened.
King Hezekiah was upset when he heard the bad words. He tore his clothes, put on rough sackcloth, and ran straight to God’s house. He sent some of his helpers to find the prophet Isaiah. “Please pray for us,” they asked, “because we are very scared.”
Isaiah sent back a message from God. “Do not be afraid of these bad words,” God said. “I will make the king of Assyria go back home, and he will not win this city.” Hezekiah took the angry letter from the enemy and spread it out before God, asking God to save them.
God answered Hezekiah’s prayer. One night, God’s angel went into the enemy camp and stopped the army. In the morning, the Assyrian soldiers were gone, and King Sennacherib went back to his own land. God kept his promise to protect the city.
Read It Together
Isaiah 37:14-16
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to the LORD’s house, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying, 16 “The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, who is enthroned among the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
(WEB)
Point out that Hezekiah did not keep the scary letter to himself. He brought it to God and prayed. Ask the children what they could do with their own worries.
Isaiah 37:20
Now therefore, the LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are the LORD, even you only.”
(WEB)
Show the children that Hezekiah prayed that everyone would know God is the one true Lord. Explain that our prayers can help others see how good and powerful God is.
Isaiah 37:36
Then the LORD’s angel went out and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the camp of the Assyrians. When men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.
(WEB)
Tell the children that God kept his promise in a way no soldier could ever do. Point out that the danger was gone by morning, which shows that God’s help is real and strong.
Talk About It
- What is something that made you feel scared, and what did you do about it?
- What did King Hezekiah do when he got the bad letter from the enemy?
- Why do you think Hezekiah took the letter to God instead of keeping it hidden?
- How did God show he was stronger than the enemy army?
- What is one thing you can pray about this week when you feel worried?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Shield Drawing
You will need paper plates, crayons or markers, and yarn or tape. Ask each child to draw a picture of something they are scared of on one side of the plate. On the other side, have them draw a picture of God, or a word like “Safe” or “Strong.” Tape a short piece of yarn to the back so they can hold it like a shield, and talk about how God protects us.
Stand Strong Game
Clear a space in the room and have the children stand in a line. Call out “Enemy!” and have them crouch low, then call out “God is strong!” and have them stand up tall with arms raised. Play faster each round. After the game, remind the children that God is always stronger than anything that scares us.
Take-Home Prayer Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Have them write or draw one thing they want to pray about this week. Help them tape or staple a loop of string to the card so they can hang it on a bedroom doorknob or bag. Encourage them to pray over the card each morning.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God defends his people and answers the prayers of those who trust him, even when a powerful enemy seems unstoppable. Hezekiah’s example teaches that bringing a threat honestly to God is a faithful response, and that God’s purposes for Jerusalem stand firm because of his own faithfulness.
Be careful not to suggest to children that prayer always means the bad thing will be removed right away. Explain that God’s protection is real and trustworthy, while being honest that many faithful people still face hard things in life.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you hear us when we are scared. Help us bring our worries to you like King Hezekiah did. Thank you that you are stronger than anything that frightens us, and that you keep your promises. Help us trust you every day. Amen.
