This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises even when bad things happen all around them. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of the people who trust Him, even on the worst day of their lives. He always keeps His word, and He never forgets the people who love Him.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 39:17
But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD; “and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands out flat, then lift them up to the sky when they say “I will deliver you.” Ask them to say the verse with you while they move their hands, and then repeat it three times with the motions until everyone can say it without looking.
The Story: Jeremiah 39 for Kids
Judah had a king named Zedekiah, and he did not listen to God. The king of Babylon, whose name was Nebuchadnezzar, came with a huge army to the city of Jerusalem. They surrounded the city and would not let anyone in or out. For a long time the people inside were hungry and scared, waiting to see what would happen next.
One summer day, the enemy soldiers broke through the walls of the city. King Zedekiah saw them coming and was frightened. He ran away in the middle of the night, hoping to escape out of a gate near the king’s garden. But the enemy soldiers chased him, and they caught him near the city of Jericho. They took him to the king of Babylon, and that king was very angry.
The soldiers did sad and terrible things. They burned the king’s house and the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem. Many of the people were taken away to live in a faraway land called Babylon. But the captain of the guard, whose name was Nebuzaradan, left some of the poorest people behind in their own land. He even gave them vineyards and fields to work.
Now there was a prophet named Jeremiah, who had spoken God’s messages to the people for many years. The king of Babylon gave an order about him. He said, “Take Jeremiah and take care of him. Do him no harm. Do whatever he asks.” So the soldiers took Jeremiah out of the prison yard and let him go home to live among the people.
While Jeremiah was still locked in the courtyard, God spoke to him. God told him to go and talk to a man named Ebedmelech, who was from Ethiopia. Ebedmelech had been kind and brave, and God was going to take care of him too. God promised that Ebedmelech would not be hurt by the enemy, because he trusted God.
Even on the saddest day, God was still watching over the people who loved Him. The city fell, but God kept His promise to Jeremiah and to Ebedmelech.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 39:1-2
1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
(WEB)
Point out that the city was not taken quickly. The siege lasted a long time, and the people waited and wondered what would happen. Ask children how waiting for something hard feels, and remind them that God knew exactly what was happening during the long wait.
Jeremiah 39:11-12
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying, 12 “Take him, and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.”
(WEB)
Show children that even the king of Babylon gave an order to care for Jeremiah. God can work through unexpected people to protect those who serve Him. Ask the children to think about a time someone helped them when they least expected it.
Jeremiah 39:15-16
15 Now the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying, 16 “Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you in that day.
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke directly to Jeremiah while he was in a hard place. Even when we are stuck, God is never silent. Encourage children that God still hears them and speaks to them through His Word and in prayer.
Talk About It
- What did God promise Ebedmelech in this story, and why do you think God kept that promise?
- How do you think Jeremiah felt when he was locked in the courtyard, and what helped him feel better?
- Why do you think King Zedekiah ran away instead of trusting God?
- What is one hard thing that has happened to you, and how did God help you through it?
- How can you show trust in God when you feel scared or worried?
Activity Ideas
Trust Tower Craft
You will need paper cups, tape, markers, and a few cardboard tubes. Have each child decorate a paper cup to look like a sturdy tower, and write or draw one way God protected someone in this story. Stack the cups together and talk about how God’s promises are strong, like a tower that does not fall when the wind blows.
Walls and Gates Game
You will need a sheet, two chairs, and a few soft balls or rolled socks. Set up the chairs about two feet apart and drape the sheet over them to make a gate. Have one child pretend to be Ebedmelech trying to get through the gate while the others gently toss the balls, and then talk about how God keeps the faithful safe even when the walls fall.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, crayons, and a hole punch with a ribbon. Have each child write or draw the words “God keeps His promises” on the card, then punch a hole and tie the ribbon through it. Encourage them to hang the card on their bedroom door or tuck it in their backpack so they can remember God’s faithfulness during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s word stands even when human plans collapse. The fall of Jerusalem was a real judgment on the people’s disobedience, yet God still cared for the poor, honored His servant Jeremiah, and promised protection to a faithful foreigner. Adults can take comfort that God remains faithful when everything around them seems to be falling apart.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the violence or suggesting that God causes every bad thing that happens to people. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness to those who trust Him, and gently explain that the story includes sad events that children can talk about with a trusted adult.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You keep Your promises every single day. When things feel scary or sad, help us to remember that You are with us. Help us to trust You like Ebedmelech did. Amen.
