In this lesson, children learn that God wants kings and everyone else to do what is fair and kind, especially to people who are poor or alone. Jeremiah 22 is a story about a king who forgot this, and it is a good fit for children ages 5 to 11. Plan for 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God cares about how we treat other people. He wants us to be fair, kind, and honest, especially to people who need help.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 22:3
The LORD says: “Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong. Do no violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.
(WEB)
Stand up tall, then raise both arms high and stretch them wide like a bridge. Slowly bring your hands down together as you say “Do what is right.” Repeat it three times with the motion so the children remember it.
The Story: Jeremiah 22 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a king named Jehoiakim who ruled the land of Judah. He lived in a grand house with big windows, tall cedar ceilings, and bright red paint on the walls. He liked nice things very much. But he did not care much about the poor people who lived outside his gates.
God sent a prophet named Jeremiah to talk to the king. God’s message was simple. “Be fair. Help the poor, the orphans, and the widows. Do not hurt people who are innocent.” God promised that if the king obeyed, his kingdom would stay strong and his family would sit on the throne.
The king did not listen. He cared more about building his fancy house and getting more things for himself. He took advantage of workers and did not pay them what they earned. God was very sad about this, and God told Jeremiah to warn the people what would happen if they kept doing wrong.
God said, “Your father, King Josiah, did what was right. He helped people who were in need, and things went well for him. Is that not what it means to know me?” God wanted the king to learn from his father’s good example. But Jehoiakim kept his eyes on his own wants and never changed his ways.
Because the king refused to listen, God said that the king would not be honored at his death. There would be no big funeral for him. The good news is that God is always ready to help us turn back to what is right when we make mistakes.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 22:15-16
15 “Should you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so it was well, then. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out that King Josiah was remembered for helping the poor and needy. Ask the children how someone can be remembered for being kind, and why that matters more than having nice things.
Jeremiah 22:13
“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by injustice; who uses his neighbor’s service without wages, and doesn’t give him his hire…
(WEB)
Explain that this verse describes a person who makes others work for him without paying them. Help children see that unfair treatment of workers is something God notices and does not ignore.
Jeremiah 22:21
I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from your youth, that you didn’t obey my voice.
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke to the people often and kindly, but they chose not to listen. Show children that listening to God’s words is a choice that every person has to make every day.
Talk About It
- What are some ways you can be fair to your brothers, sisters, or friends this week?
- Why do you think God cares so much about how the poor and the orphans are treated?
- What did King Josiah do that made people remember him as a good king?
- When is it hard for you to do what is right, and what helps you choose to do it anyway?
- How can you show kindness to someone who has less than you do?
Activity Ideas
Crown and Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a simple crown on one side of the paper and a heart on the other. Ask them to write or draw one fair or kind thing they will do this week inside the heart, then display the crowns and hearts together on the wall.
Fair Share Game
You will need a bag of small snacks or stickers and a few chairs. Give most children very few items and one child a big pile, then talk about how that feels. Next, let the children work together to share evenly, and discuss how fairness helps everyone feel valued.
Kindness Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each time your child does something fair or helpful at home, they write it on a slip and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together and thank God for each kind act.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God holds leaders and everyday people responsible for justice and mercy. Jeremiah’s message is that wealth and power do not excuse neglecting the poor, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. It also reveals God’s patience, since he warned the people repeatedly before the consequences came.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the punishment part of the story or making it sound like God is angry at children who make small mistakes. Keep the focus on God’s desire for fairness and kindness, and on how God is always ready to help us return to what is right.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you for caring about how we treat other people. Help us be fair, kind, and honest every day, especially to those who need help. Give us hearts that love what is right and listen when you speak to us. Amen.
