This lesson teaches children that no matter how far they wander, God wants them to come back to him, and he welcomes them with love. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the memory verse, and the activity.
Big Idea
God keeps inviting his people to come home to him, even after they have walked away. He is kind and forgiving, and he always wants us back.
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)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are offering a hug. Then slowly pull them back to your heart as you say the last words. This shows God reaching out to us and us coming close to him again.
The Story: Jeremiah 3 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people, the people of Israel, had wandered far away from him. They built altars on the high hills and worshiped idols under the green trees. They forgot the one true God who had taken care of them. It made God very sad, because he had always loved them.
God spoke to his prophet Jeremiah and asked him to share a message. God said, “Israel has been unfaithful, like a wife who leaves her husband and goes off with other people.” But then God said something surprising. He said, “Come back to me. I will not stay angry forever. I am merciful.”
God did not stop at one invitation. He called to his people again and again. Judah, the southern kingdom, had seen what happened to Israel, but they did not change their hearts either. God still wanted them to come home.
God made a promise to his people. He said he would bring them back to Jerusalem, the city of Zion. He said he would give them shepherds who loved him and would teach them what is true and wise. These shepherds would take care of them like a good shepherd takes care of sheep.
Then the people began to speak. They cried out, “We have come to you, because you are the LORD our God.” They said they had been foolish and had sinned, and they wanted to change. God was waiting with open arms, ready to heal them.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 3:1
“They say, ‘If a man puts away his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man’s, should he return to her again?’ Wouldn’t that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the prostitute with many lovers; yet return again to me,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out how the people had wandered away, and that God still wanted them back. Explain that this is like a friend who moves away but still wants to be close again. Ask the children to imagine how that would feel.
Jeremiah 3:14-15
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. 15 I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
(WEB)
Show the children that God says “Return” and calls himself a husband who loves his people. Tell them God also promised good shepherds who would care for his people. Ask who takes care of them at home, and connect that to how God takes care of us.
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)
Point out that God says, “I will heal your backsliding.” Explain that backsliding means drifting away from God. Remind the children that when they say sorry, God forgives them and makes them whole again.
Talk About It
- What is one time you felt really happy to be welcomed back into a family or a friendship?
- Why do you think God kept inviting his people to come back, even after they walked away?
- How do you think God feels when we choose to come close to him again?
- What is one thing we can do when we realize we have made a wrong choice?
- How can you remind yourself that God always wants you back, no matter what happens?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Path Home
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a winding path that starts far away on one side of the page and leads to a house or a heart on the other side. Along the path, they can draw a few things that might distract them, like a tree or a hill. Then they draw a welcoming door at the end. Talk about how God always leaves the door open.
Shepherd and Sheep Game
You will need a open space and a blindfold or a pretend sheep call. Choose one child to be the shepherd and the others to be sheep who wander off a bit. The shepherd calls out a simple word like “Come home,” and the sheep follow the voice back. Switch roles so everyone gets a turn. Remind the children that God’s voice calls us back to him.
Welcome Home Card
You will need a sheet of construction paper, glue, and some stickers or cut-out hearts. Fold the paper in half and help the children write “God says come home” on the front. Inside, they can glue hearts and write one thing they are thankful for. Encourage them to give the card to a family member at home and talk about how God welcomes us the same way.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s love is patient and persistent. Even when his people repeatedly turned to other gods and other ways, God kept calling them back with an open invitation. It also reveals his mercy, because he refuses to hold onto anger forever and promises healing to those who return.
Be careful not to overstate the story to children by making it sound like God is always angry or quick to punish. Focus instead on his kindness and his desire to bring his people home, since that is the heart of the passage.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you always welcome us back when we wander away. Help us to come close to you each day and to listen for your voice calling us home. Thank you for your love that never runs out. Amen.
