This lesson teaches children that bad choices hurt many people, and that God is still with His people even in sad and scary times. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jealousy and cruel choices hurt many people, but God still cares for His people and keeps watch over them, even when the story turns dark.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 41:16
Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces who were with him took all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after he had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the men of war, with the women, the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon.
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like they are carrying something gently. Then have them lower their hands slowly, one motion for each word of the verse, to show that people had been taken and then gathered back together.
The Story: Jeremiah 41 for Kids
After Jerusalem was destroyed, the king of Babylon chose a man named Gedaliah to lead the people left in the land. Gedaliah was kind and wise, and many people trusted him. He invited the Jewish people to settle down, farm the land, and live in peace under Babylon’s rule.
Then one day, a man named Ishmael came to visit Gedaliah in the town of Mizpah. Ishmael had secretly made a plan to hurt him. While they were sharing a meal together, Ishmael and ten men with him attacked Gedaliah and killed him. Ishmael also killed other people who were there with Gedaliah.
The next days were full of sadness. Some men came to the Temple, bringing gifts to worship God, and they were looking very sorrowful. Ishmael went out to greet them, pretending to be friendly. He invited them into the town, and then he and his men killed many of them and threw their bodies into a deep pit. Some men begged Ishmael to spare them because they had food stored in a field, so he let those ten men go.
Ishmael then took the people who were left in Mizpah, including the king’s daughters, and started to leave with them. But a leader named Johanan heard about all the terrible things Ishmael had done. Johanan gathered his soldiers and went after Ishmael to bring the people back.
When the captives saw Johanan coming, they were glad and turned around to join him. Ishmael escaped with eight men and ran away to the Ammonites. The people who were rescued were afraid of what the Babylonians might do, so they made plans to go down to Egypt for safety.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 41:1-2
1 Now in the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal offspring and one of the chief officers of the king, and ten men with him, came to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they ate bread together in Mizpah. 2 Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah arose, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
(WEB)
Point out that Ishmael pretended to be a friend while he planned something evil. Ask the children how it feels when someone pretends to be nice but really wants to hurt them, and remind them that God sees what is hidden in people’s hearts.
Jeremiah 41:14
So all the people who Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned about and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.
(WEB)
Point out that the people who had been taken captive turned around and came back when they saw Johanan. Explain that God often works through brave helpers to bring people home, and that rescue can come even after a very hard time.
Jeremiah 41:17-18
17 They departed and lived in Geruth Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt 18 because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor over the land.
(WEB)
Point out that the people were afraid and made plans to go to Egypt. Help the children see that they could be scared and still bring their fears to God, because He is the One who cares for them when they feel unsafe.
Talk About It
- How do you think Gedaliah felt when he trusted Ishmael and then was hurt by him?
- What are some ways we can tell when a person is pretending to be a friend?
- Why do you think the people who were captured were so glad to see Johanan?
- What makes you feel safe when you are scared, and how can you talk to God about it?
- How can we be a helper to someone who is hurt or lost, like Johanan was?
Activity Ideas
Rescue Picture Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw two pictures side by side: one showing the people sad and captured, and one showing them joyfully returning with Johanan. Talk together about what changed between the pictures and where God was in each scene.
Follow the Leader Rescue Game
You will need a small open space and a few soft toys or cushions to hide behind. One child is Johanan and leads the others around the room, while the rest pretend to be captives who have to follow carefully. When Johanan calls out “Come back home!”, the captives run to join him. Let every child take a turn leading.
Safe Place Bookmark
You will need cardstock or thick paper, markers, a hole punch, and a piece of yarn. Have each child write “God is with me” on one side and draw a picture of a safe place on the other side. Punch a hole at the top, tie on the yarn, and encourage them to use it as a reminder to pray when they feel scared.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how quickly trust can be betrayed and how much suffering evil choices can cause. It also shows that God’s purposes continue even when people make terrible decisions, and that He is present with the afflicted and the scattered. The story is honest about grief and fear, and it invites us to rely on God rather than on human promises.
With children, avoid making the violence seem casual or describing the killings in any detail. Keep the focus on Ishmael’s dishonesty, the sadness of the people, and God’s care for those who are afraid, so that the lesson leaves them feeling safe rather than frightened.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You that You see everything, even the things people try to hide. When we feel scared or sad, help us remember that You are still with us and that You care for us. Help us be good friends who tell the truth and bring people home. Amen.
