Jeremiah 6 teaches children that God warns his people before judgment comes, and that listening to him keeps us safe. This lesson works for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves his people so much that he warns them when they are heading the wrong way, and he wants them to listen and turn back to him.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 6:16
The LORD says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
(WEB)
Have the children stand in a line like they are walking down a road. When they say “walk in it,” have them take slow, big steps forward together, then stop and point to the ground as if looking for the good path.
The Story: Jeremiah 6 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Jerusalem had stopped listening to God. They were doing many wrong things, and they were not sorry for them. God loved them very much, so he sent his prophet Jeremiah to speak to them. Jeremiah was like a watchman standing high on a wall, looking out for danger and calling out a warning.
God told Jeremiah that trouble was coming from the north. An enemy army would come, and the people needed to run to safety. Jeremiah shouted, “Flee for safety, you children of Benjamin! Get out of Jerusalem now!” He wanted the people to hear the warning and act quickly before it was too late.
But the people did not want to hear it. The leaders and the priests were telling everyone that all was well. They kept saying, “Peace, peace!” even though there was no peace at all. The people were not even ashamed of the wrong things they had done. They just kept on doing them.
God was sad about this. He called out to his people, “Stand where the roads meet and look around. Ask for the old paths, the good ways that I showed you long ago. Walk in them, and you will find rest for your souls.” God was offering them a better way, a path where they could be safe and at peace with him.
Sadly, the people answered, “We will not walk in it.” They refused to listen to the watchmen and would not hear the trumpet’s sound. Because of this, God told them that hard times would come. He said that the trouble they had brought on themselves would fall on them. This was a sad ending, because God never wanted his people to be destroyed.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 6:14
They have healed also the hurt of my people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.
(WEB)
Point out how the people said “Peace, peace!” when there was no real peace. Explain that saying something nice does not fix a problem, and that God wants us to be honest and truly turn from wrong.
Jeremiah 6:8
Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God gave the people a chance to learn and change. Explain that God’s warnings are kind, because he wants his people to be safe and not to be lost.
Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
(WEB)
Help the children see that God wants us to listen to his words and obey them. Remind them that God’s law is good for us, and ignoring it leads to trouble.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the people kept saying “Peace, peace” when things were not okay?
- What is a time when someone warned you about something, and why was it helpful to listen?
- What do you think the “old paths” God talked about might look like in our lives today?
- How can you tell when you need to change the way you are acting?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to listen to him instead of doing what they wanted?
Activity Ideas
Watchman Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to draw a tall wall with a watchman on top holding a trumpet. Have them write or draw one warning that a friend might give them, like “Stop, that is not safe!” Tape the pictures to the wall in your room so the children can see that God’s warnings help keep us safe.
Old Path Game
You will need masking tape or chairs and a open space. Set up a winding path with tape or chairs and place a small cup or toy at the end. Have the children follow the path together, staying on it and not cutting across. Talk about how staying on God’s good path helps us reach the good place God has for us.
Warning Bracelet Reminder
You will need paper strips, markers, and a stapler. Have each child write the words “Listen and walk in it” on a strip of paper. Staple the strip into a loop that fits their wrist like a bracelet. Encourage them to wear it during the week and remember to listen to God and to the people who love them when they give good advice.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Jeremiah 6 shows that God is patient and faithful, even when his people refuse to listen. He sends warnings out of love, and he offers a clear and good way to live. The passage also reminds us that religious leaders can be wrong when they tell people what they want to hear instead of the truth, so we should test what we hear against God’s word.
Be careful not to make the lesson sound like God is only angry or that children must earn his love by being perfect. Keep the focus on God’s kindness in warning his people and his desire for them to find rest and peace with him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for loving us enough to warn us when we go the wrong way. Help us to listen to you and to the people who love us. Show us the good path and help us walk in it every day. Amen.
