This lesson teaches children that God invites everyone to come to him, and that he gives what we truly need for free. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is kind and generous, and he invites everyone to come to him, even when we have nothing to offer. When we listen to him and trust him, our hearts are filled with good things.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 55:1
“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and reach their hands out wide, like they are holding a cup. Then have them pretend to pour water into the cup and drink it slowly. Say the verse together while doing the motions each time.
The Story: Isaiah 55 for Kids
Long ago, a prophet named Isaiah spoke for God to the people of Israel. The people had been living far from God, and many of them felt thirsty and tired inside. They were working hard all day, spending their money and their energy on things that did not truly fill them up.
God wanted them to know that he had something better. Through Isaiah, he called out with a loud voice, “Come! Come to the waters, all of you who are thirsty!” Even people who had no money at all were invited to come and eat and drink for free. God’s gifts cost nothing.
God also told the people to listen carefully to him. He said, “Turn your ears to me, and come close, and your soul will live.” He wanted them to trust him and to make their hearts glad by staying near to him. God promised that he would keep his faithful love with his people forever.
Then God reminded them that he thinks and acts in ways that are much bigger than ours. Just as the rain and snow fall from the sky to water the ground, God’s word goes out and makes things grow. It always does what God wants it to do.
The story ends with a happy picture. God says that his people will go out with joy and be led in peace. Even the mountains and hills will sing, and the trees will clap their hands. God’s people will be a sign of his goodness that lasts forever.
Read It Together
Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
(WEB)
Point out that God says to seek him while he can be found and to call on him while he is near. Explain that God is always ready to forgive and welcome anyone who turns back to him.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(WEB)
Show children that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Explain that we can trust God even when we do not understand everything, because he always knows what is best.
Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.
(WEB)
Ask children to look at this picture of joy and peace. Point out how the mountains, hills, and trees are described as happy and celebrating, showing how God brings gladness to everything he touches.
Talk About It
- What are some things people spend their time and money on, and how do those things make us feel afterward?
- What does it mean that God’s gifts are free, and why do you think God wants to give them to everyone?
- How can you come close to God when you feel thirsty or sad inside?
- Why is it good to know that God’s thoughts are higher than ours?
- What is something that makes you feel joyful, like the mountains and trees in the story?
Activity Ideas
Water Drop Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a small cup of water. Ask each child to draw a big cup and then decorate it with blue waves or drops. Talk together about how God invites us to drink from his good gifts. Let children take their drawings home to remind them of God’s free invitation.
Thirsty Traveler Game
Set up two chairs at one end of the room to be the water spring. Have children walk slowly around the room, pretending to be thirsty travelers. When you call out “Come!”, they run to the chairs and pretend to drink. Play a few rounds and talk about how God welcomes everyone, no matter how far they have wandered.
Rain Cup at Home
You will need a clear cup, a sponge, and a small dish of water. Let children place the sponge in the dish and watch it soak up the water, just as rain soaks into the ground. Explain that God’s word works like rain, helping good things grow. Encourage the family to talk about it again at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Isaiah 55 is an open invitation from God to everyone who feels spiritually empty. The passage shows that God’s grace is freely offered, not earned, and that his word is powerful and reliable. It also reminds us that God’s ways are beyond our full understanding, which calls us to humble trust.
When teaching children, avoid making it sound as if God’s gifts are a reward for good behavior. The point is that God welcomes people who come to him with empty hands, and his kindness comes first.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for inviting us to come to you when we are thirsty and tired. Help us listen to your voice and trust your good gifts. Teach us to seek you while you are near, and fill our hearts with joy. Amen.
