In this lesson, children learn that God is in charge of every nation and that we can trust Him even when His plan looks surprising. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is in charge of everything, and He is always faithful. When people tell us something different, we can listen to God and trust what He says.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 27:5
‘I have made the earth, the men, and the animals that are on the surface of the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm. I give it to whom it seems right to me.
(WEB)
Ask the children to stretch both arms wide like a bird’s wings, then bring them slowly down to rest on their hearts. Say the verse together while you move, so the arms remind them that God made the whole world and holds it in His hands.
The Story: Jeremiah 27 for Kids
A long time ago, the nation of Judah had a king named Zedekiah. Many other countries were nearby, including Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon. Each of these countries had its own king, and they were all talking about joining together to stand against the mighty king of Babylon, whose name was Nebuchadnezzar.
God told Jeremiah, His prophet, to do something unusual. He told him to make a set of wooden bars and leather straps, like a yoke that an ox wears, and to put them on his own neck. Jeremiah did exactly what God asked, so everyone could see it.
Then God sent Jeremiah to deliver a message to the kings of those nearby countries. God said that He had made the earth and every creature on it, and that He had given all those lands to Nebuchadnezzar for a time. The message was clear: those kings should not listen to the false prophets who promised that Babylon would soon lose its power.
Jeremiah also spoke to King Zedekiah and to the priests and the people. He said, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and live.” God wanted them to trust His plan, even though it was hard to hear. Some people did not want to listen, because they liked the false prophets’ happy promises better.
Jeremiah reminded the people that God had not sent those false prophets. He also said that the special items from God’s house would one day return to Jerusalem. God would bring them back at the right time. This shows that God keeps His promises, even when we have to wait.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 27:4-5
4 Give them a command to their masters, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says, “You shall tell your masters: 5 ‘I have made the earth, the men, and the animals that are on the surface of the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm. I give it to whom it seems right to me.
(WEB)
Point out that God is the one who made the earth and gives authority to whom He chooses. Ask the children to notice that God is still in charge even when nations seem powerful. Remind them that God’s power is greater than any king’s.
Jeremiah 27:9-10
9 But as for you, don’t listen to your prophets, to your diviners, to your dreams, to your soothsayers, or to your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon;” 10 for they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land, so that I would drive you out, and you would perish.
(WEB)
Show the children that God warned His people not to listen to false prophets who spoke lies. Explain that the people had to choose whose words to believe. Encourage them to think about how they can tell when someone is telling the truth about God.
Jeremiah 27:22
‘They will be carried to Babylon, and there they will be, until the day that I visit them,’ says the LORD; ‘then I will bring them up, and restore them to this place.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God promised to bring the items back to His house. Tell the children that this shows God keeps His word, even when His people must wait a long time. Ask them to think of a time they had to wait for something good.
Talk About It
- What did God ask Jeremiah to wear, and why do you think God wanted people to see it?
- Why do you think the people wanted to listen to the false prophets instead of Jeremiah?
- How can you tell if someone is telling you the truth about God?
- What does it mean that God made the whole earth and everything in it?
- When is it hard for you to trust God’s plan, and what can you do then?
Activity Ideas
Yoke Craft Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple wooden yoke, the kind an ox wears, around a picture of a neck. Have them write the words “God is in charge” along the top. Let them color it bright and hang it where they can see it during the week.
Stand Tall Game
You will need a open space in the room and a clear voice. Call out “Babylon” and have children stand tall with straight shoulders. Call out “false prophet” and have them shake their heads and sit down. Play a few rounds, then talk about how standing tall means trusting God’s words.
Family Truth Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a pencil for each child. Ask them to write one thing God has promised, such as “God keeps His promises.” Encourage them to show the card to a family member at home and explain what it means. Ask them to keep the card in a pocket or on the fridge as a reminder.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God rules over all nations and history, and He sometimes asks His people to submit to hard circumstances. It also warns that false messages can sound comforting while leading people away from God’s truth. The passage calls us to listen carefully to what God says and to trust His timing.
Be careful not to overstate the political details to children, since the chapter’s historical situation can be complex for young listeners. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and on learning to trust His words, rather than on the specific nations involved.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we know You made the whole world and You are in charge of everything. Help us listen to You and trust Your plans, even when they are hard. Help us to tell the truth from lies, and to keep our hearts close to You. Thank You for always keeping Your promises. Amen.
