This lesson teaches children that God hears us even when we are sad or scared, and that we can always ask him for help. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is our helper, and we can always bring our worries and sadness to him. When things feel dry and hard, we can still trust that God is with us and will not leave us.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 14:9
Why should you be like a scared man, as a mighty man who can’t save? Yet you, the LORD, are in the middle of us, and we are called by your name. Don’t leave us.
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart as you say the verse slowly. Then lift both arms up high, like you are reaching for God. Do this motion three times with the class so the words stick.
The Story: Jeremiah 14 for Kids
A long time ago, the land of Judah had no rain for a very long time. The rivers dried up, and the ground cracked open like broken pottery. The people of Jerusalem were very thirsty, and they were sad and scared.
The rich leaders sent their little children to find water. The children walked to the wells, but the wells were empty. They came back with empty jars and tired faces. The farmers looked at their dry fields and covered their heads in sorrow.
Even the animals were hungry. A mother deer left her baby because there was no grass to eat. Wild donkeys stood on the bare hills, panting like thirsty dogs. Everything was dry and quiet.
God spoke to Jeremiah, the prophet, and told him the people had wandered away from God. Jeremiah was sad too, and he said, “Lord, you are the hope of Israel. Please do not leave us.” Jeremiah prayed for the people, but God told him that the people had not turned back to him yet.
Jeremiah felt the sorrow in his heart and cried out to God. He told God that the people were hurting and that they needed his help. Even in the dry season, Jeremiah trusted that God was still with them.
In the end, Jeremiah reminded everyone that only the LORD can send rain and bring life back to the land. He chose to wait for God, because God is the one who made all things.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 14:2
“Judah mourns, and its gates languish. They sit in black on the ground. The cry of Jerusalem goes up.
(WEB)
Point out how the people were sad and their city was crying out. Ask the children how they feel when they are sad, and remind them that God sees our sadness too.
Jeremiah 14:22
Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the sky give showers? Aren’t you he, the LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for you; for you have made all these things.
(WEB)
Show the children that only God can make rain and send blessings. Explain that this is why Jeremiah decided to wait for God and trust him.
Jeremiah 14:7
Though our iniquities testify against us, work for your name’s sake, the LORD; for our rebellions are many. We have sinned against you.
(WEB)
Help the children see that the people asked God to help them even though they had done wrong. Explain that God always welcomes us when we come to him honestly.
Talk About It
- What did the children in the story have to do when the wells were empty?
- How do you think the people felt when there was no rain for so long?
- What did Jeremiah do when he was sad about his people?
- Why is God the only one who can send rain and help us?
- What is one worry you can bring to God this week?
Activity Ideas
Cracked Ground Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a glue stick. Have each child draw a dry, cracked patch of ground, then add a small green sprout coming up through one crack. Talk about how God can bring new life even in hard places. Let the children take their pictures home to remind them of God’s care.
Raindrop Reach
Gather the class in a circle and have everyone stand tall with arms stretched up. Ask them to slowly wiggle their fingers like raindrops falling down, then reach up again to show they are waiting on God. Repeat the motion while saying the memory verse together. This helps children move their bodies while they learn.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pencil. Ask each child to write or draw one worry on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. Explain that they can bring these worries to God in prayer each night. This take-home idea gives families a simple way to keep talking to God together during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful even when his people are unfaithful. Jeremiah lived among a people who had turned away, yet he still prayed for them and trusted God to hear. The passage teaches that honest lament, admitting our sin and our need, is a way of drawing near to God.
With children, avoid suggesting that drought or hardship is always a direct punishment for a particular sin. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his listening heart, and let them know that he cares for us in every season.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for hearing us when we are sad or scared. Help us remember that you are always with us, even when things feel dry and hard. Teach us to trust you and bring you our worries every day. Amen.
