This lesson teaches children that God keeps us safe and that we can keep ourselves close to His love by building our faith, praying, and trusting Him. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God loves us and keeps us safe, so we should stay close to Him, pray, and never let go of what is true.
Memory Verse
Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
(WEB)
Have children cup their hands together in front of their chest, then slowly wrap their arms around themselves in a big hug. Say “Keep yourselves in God’s love” while hugging. Repeat it three times with bigger and bigger hugs.
The Story: Jude 1 for Kids
A man named Jude wrote a letter to friends who loved Jesus. He was excited to write about the good news they all shared. But he noticed that some people had sneaked into the group and were teaching things that were not true about God. Jude felt he needed to warn his friends.
Jude reminded them of a story they already knew. God rescued His people from Egypt, but later some of those people stopped believing and trusting Him. Jude also talked about angels who left their home and were kept in chains until God’s big day of judgment. He mentioned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which had turned away from God in very wrong ways.
Then Jude told about Michael, a powerful angel. Michael argued with the devil about the body of Moses. Michael did not insult the devil. Instead he simply said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” Michael trusted God to handle the fight, and that is a good example for us.
Jude gave his friends a plan for staying strong. He said, “You, dear friends, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” He told them to keep themselves in God’s love and to wait with hope for the mercy of our Lord Jesus.
Jude ended his letter with a wonderful promise. God is able to keep us from stumbling and to bring us before Him with great joy. Jude said all glory belongs to God, our Savior, now and forever.
Read It Together
Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
(WEB)
Point out the words “building up yourselves” and “praying in the Holy Spirit.” Ask children what they think it means to build up our faith, like building blocks, one piece at a time. Show that prayer is one of the ways we grow strong.
Jude 1:24-25
24 Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
(WEB)
Read these verses slowly and point out that God is the one who keeps us from falling. Help children see that we do not have to be strong on our own, because God helps us stand. End by reminding them that God is wonderful and worthy of praise.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
(WEB)
Explain that the faith given to God’s people is precious and worth holding onto. Show children that we can “contend” for what is true by loving the truth and sharing it kindly. Use a simple example like keeping an important treasure safe.
Talk About It
- What are some ways you can keep yourself close to God’s love every day?
- How do you think praying helps us stay strong when we feel scared or unsure?
- Why is it important to hold onto what we know is true about God?
- What does it feel like to know that God can keep you from falling?
- When have you seen someone show kindness or trust in God, like Michael did?
Activity Ideas
Love Shield Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a large circle on the paper and write “God’s Love” in the middle. Around the outside, they can draw things that keep them safe, such as family, prayer, and friends. Talk about how God’s love surrounds us like a shield.
Stay Close Game
You will need an open space and a helper for each child. Have children hold hands in a line and walk slowly around the room while you call out “Build up your faith!” and they step forward together. Then call out “Stay close to God!” and they all move in closer. Explain that staying together helps us stay strong.
Hope Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, slips of paper, and a pen. Ask children to write one prayer or thing they trust God for on each slip and place it in the jar. Encourage them to read one slip each night with their family. This helps them remember that God keeps and cares for them every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Jude 1 is a short letter warning believers to stay faithful to the true Gospel and to keep their hearts anchored in God’s love. Jude uses examples from Israel’s history, the fallen angels, and Michael the archangel to show that God judges sin and protects His people. The letter closes with one of the Bible’s richest benedictions, pointing to God’s power to keep His own.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the harsh warnings about judgment or the detailed stories of punishment. Keep the focus on God’s love, His protection, and the call to pray and trust Him, since young children need reassurance more than frightening images.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and keeping us safe. Help us to pray, to grow strong in our faith, and to stay close to You every day. Thank You that You can keep us from falling. We praise You now and forever. Amen.
