In Jeremiah 44, God’s people in Egypt refused to listen to His messenger, and they paid a sad price for turning away from Him. This lesson teaches children that God’s words are always true, even when we do not want to hear them. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God always tells us the truth, and we are wise to listen to Him even when His words are hard to hear. When we choose our own way over His, we get hurt. God keeps His promises, both the good ones and the warnings.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 44:4
However I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Oh, don’t do this abominable thing that I hate.”
(WEB)
Put your hand on your ear, then cup your other hand in front of your mouth like you are calling out. Say the words together slowly, moving your hands as you go. Then have the children do it again, but this time with their eyes closed, so they remember with their whole body.
The Story: Jeremiah 44 for Kids
A long time ago, many of God’s people had moved to Egypt. Some of them lived in towns like Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis. God had sent His prophet Jeremiah to speak to them. Jeremiah loved these people, and he wanted them to follow God.
God had already shown them what happened when His people turned away from Him. Their cities in Judah were empty and ruined. God had sent many prophets to warn them, saying, “Please stop doing this terrible thing that I hate.” But the people did not listen. They kept burning incense to other gods, and they did not turn away from their sin.
Jeremiah told them that God was not pleased, and that the trouble they had seen in Judah could happen to them too if they kept going their own way. He reminded them that God had been patient for a long time. But the people answered him with stubborn hearts. They said they would keep worshiping the queen of the sky, because they believed it had gone well for them before.
Jeremiah told them the truth again. Because they had chosen their own path, the bad things they feared were going to come upon them. He told them that God’s words would stand, whether they believed them or not. Even the king of Egypt would face what God had said.
The people did not change their hearts that day. They chose to trust their own ideas instead of God’s words. This is a sad story, but it teaches us something important. God’s promises are always true, and He wants His people to listen and come back to Him.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 44:2
“The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have seen all the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem, and on all the cities of Judah. Behold, today they are a desolation, and no man dwells in them…
(WEB)
Point out that God begins by reminding the people of what they have seen with their own eyes. He is not guessing or pretending. He is telling them the truth about what happened in Judah, so they can learn from it.
Jeremiah 44:5
But they didn’t listen and didn’t incline their ear. They didn’t turn from their wickedness, to stop burning incense to other gods.
(WEB)
Show the children that the people “didn’t listen” and “didn’t turn.” Ask them to notice that listening and turning go together. When we hear God, we are meant to change the way we live.
Jeremiah 44:29-30
29 “‘This will be the sign to you,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that my words will surely stand against you for evil.’ 30 The LORD says, ‘Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of those who seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy, and sought his life.’”
(WEB)
Explain that God says His words will surely stand. Help the children see that God keeps His word, which means we can trust Him completely, even when His message is serious.
Talk About It
- What did God want the people to stop doing, and why do you think He did not want them to do it?
- How do you feel when someone tells you something hard that you do not want to hear?
- Why do you think the people chose not to listen to Jeremiah?
- What is one way you can listen to God every day, even when it is hard?
- How can you tell that God always keeps His promises?
Activity Ideas
Ear and Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big ear on one side of the page and a heart on the other. Then have them draw a line between the ear and the heart and write or draw one thing they can do to listen to God. Let them share their picture with the class.
Follow the Leader Listening Game
Gather the children in an open space. Choose one child to be the leader and give simple movement instructions, like “touch your toes” or “turn around.” The others must only move when they hear the leader say “God says,” and stay still when the leader says something else. This helps children practice listening carefully and obeying God’s voice.
Listening Reminder Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a pencil. Have each child write or draw a simple reminder, such as an ear or a heart, on one side of the card. On the other side, they can write “God always tells the truth.” Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it each morning, like on their bedroom mirror or by their shoes.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s warnings come from His faithfulness, not from anger alone. The people in Egypt had seen the results of turning from God, yet they still refused to repent. Their story reminds us that hearing God’s word is only the first step. We must also respond with humility and obedience.
With children, avoid suggesting that every hard thing that happens is a direct punishment for disobedience. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God speaks truthfully and that listening to Him leads to good, not harm.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us listen to You, even when Your words are hard to hear. Help us turn away from things that are wrong and follow You every day. Thank You that You always tell us the truth and always keep Your promises. We love You and want to listen to You. Amen.
