This lesson teaches children that God invites His people to come back to Him, even after they have wandered away, and that He is kind and merciful when they do. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
No matter how far we wander, God always wants us to come home to Him. He is kind, and He welcomes us back with open arms.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 3:12
Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, you backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not look in anger on you; for I am merciful,’ says the LORD. ‘I will not keep anger forever.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands together in front of their chests, then slowly open them wide while saying “I will not look on you in anger.” Have them repeat it with the motion three times. The open hands will remind them of God’s welcome.
The Story: Jeremiah 3 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to a prophet named Jeremiah. God’s people, the nation of Israel, had stopped following Him. They had worshiped idols on the high hills and under the green trees, and they had forgotten the God who had taken care of them.
God was sad about this. He said that Israel had been like a wife who left her husband to go off with other men. Israel had done wrong again and again, and it had not come back to God. Even Judah, Israel’s sister nation, had not truly turned back to Him. It had only pretended to be sorry.
Then God gave Jeremiah a message to share in the north. God said, “Come back, you wandering children. I will not be angry with you forever, because I am merciful.” God asked the people to admit their wrongs and to return to Him. He promised that He would be a faithful husband to them and bring them home.
God even promised to give His people good shepherds who would teach them about Him. He said that one day people would no longer need to remember the old symbols of His presence, because they would know Him in their hearts. Everyone would come to call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord.
In the end, the people began to cry out. They said, “We have come back to you, for you are the Lord our God.” They admitted that help from the hills and mountains could never save them. Only the Lord could save them. They said they were sorry and wanted to do what was right.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 3:14
“Return, backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am a husband to you. I will take one of you from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
(WEB)
Point out that God calls His people “children” and says He is their husband. Explain that these words show how close God wants to be to us. Ask the children what it feels like to be wanted and welcomed by someone who loves them.
Jeremiah 3:19
“But I said, ‘How I desire to put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the armies of the nations!’ and I said, ‘You shall call me “My Father”, and shall not turn away from following me.’
(WEB)
Show the children that God says He wanted to give His people a good land and call them His own children. Talk about how God wants a relationship with us, not just rules to follow. Ask them what they think it means to call God “My Father.”
Jeremiah 3:22
Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding. “Behold, we have come to you; for you are the LORD our God.
(WEB)
Explain that God says He will heal the wandering hearts of His people. Point out that the people answered by coming to Him. Remind the children that they can always come back to God when they have done wrong, and He will help them.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that makes you feel welcome when you come home?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to come back to Him?
- How do you think God felt when His people wandered away?
- What can you do when you know you have done something wrong?
- How does it feel to know that God is always ready to forgive you?
Activity Ideas
Open Arms Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace one hand on paper, cut it out, and write “God welcomes me home” on it. Glue the hands onto a sheet of paper in the shape of a big open heart. Talk about how God’s arms are always open for us to return.
Homecoming Game
Set up two spots in the room, one labeled “Far Away” and one labeled “Home.” Have the children start at Far Away and walk slowly toward Home, one step at a time. Each time they reach Home, cheer for them. Explain that God is always cheering for us to come home to Him.
Take-Home Reminder
Give each child a small card with Jeremiah 3:12 written on the front and a drawing of an open door on the back. Encourage them to place it on their bedroom door or at the kitchen table. Ask them to share at dinner one way they can come back to God this week, such as saying sorry or praying.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how God’s love stays faithful even when His people turn away. The image of a husband taking back his wife reflects God’s steady commitment to His people. It also reveals that true repentance involves admitting wrongdoing, not just going through the motions.
When teaching children, avoid overstating how God’s anger works. The passage speaks of God not being angry forever, but it also speaks of real consequences for turning away. Keep the focus on God’s invitation and mercy, and do not frighten children with images of punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You always want us to come back to You. When we wander away, help us remember that Your arms are open wide. Help us say sorry when we do wrong, and help us come home to You every day. We love You, Lord. Amen.
