Judges 1 teaches children that asking God first, before we decide what to do, is always wise. This lesson is for kids about five to eleven years old and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Use a Bible, a few paper cups, and a small bowl of water for the activities.
Big Idea
When we don’t know what to do, we ask God first, and we trust Him to help us. The Israelites asked God who should lead the way, and God answered them. Asking Him first is never a waste of time.
Memory Verse
Judges 1:2
The LORD said, “Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand on their heart and then lift the other hand up toward the ceiling as they say the verse. The motion shows that we first listen to God in our hearts and then look up to Him for the answer.
The Story: Judges 1 for Kids
After Joshua died, the people of Israel had a big question. They wanted to know who should go first to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the land. So they did something very wise. They stopped and asked the LORD, and they waited for His answer.
God told them that Judah should go first. Judah was one of the brothers in Israel’s family, and God said He had already given the land into Judah’s hand. Judah asked his brother Simeon to come along, and Simeon went with him. Together they fought and won battles against the enemy people, and God helped them.
The story also tells about a king named Adoni-Bezek. He had been very cruel to other kings. When Judah caught him, Adoni-Bezek said, “God has paid me back for what I did.” Then the people brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. The story reminds us that God sees what people do.
Later, a man named Caleb made a promise. He said that whoever won the city of Kiriath Sepher could marry his daughter, Achsah. A brave man named Othniel took the city, so Achsah became his wife. When she asked her father for springs of water for their land, Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. She asked, and she received a good gift.
Not every battle in this chapter went well. Some of the people did not drive out all of the enemies they were meant to. The chapter shows that when we forget to ask God first and rely only on ourselves, we can end up with troubles that we didn’t need.
Read It Together
Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked of the LORD, saying, “Who should go up for us first against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”
(WEB)
Point out that the story begins with the people asking a question. Ask the children what question they might ask God when they feel unsure about something at school or at home.
Judges 1:19
The LORD was with Judah; and drove out the inhabitants of the hill country; for he could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
(WEB)
Show the children that the LORD was with Judah when they trusted Him. Explain that God helped them win some battles and that He is with us too when we follow Him.
Judges 1:22
The house of Joseph also went up against Bethel, and the LORD was with them.
(WEB)
Point out that the LORD was with the house of Joseph as they went up against Bethel. Remind the children that God goes with us into hard places, just as He went with His people.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Israel do when they didn’t know who should go first?
- Why do you think God wanted Judah to lead the way?
- What is something you might ask God about this week?
- How did Caleb’s daughter Achsah ask her father for a gift, and what did she receive?
- What is one way you can remember to ask God first before you make a choice?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Question Mark and an Answer
Give each child a sheet of paper and some crayons. Ask them to draw a big question mark on one side and a picture of something God gives them on the other side, such as a family, a home, or a sunny day. Explain that God hears our questions and answers them. Let each child share their drawing with the group.
Walk Together Game
Line the children up and ask them to stand still while you say a question out loud, such as “Where should we go?” Then have one child take a step forward to show that they are following God’s lead. Let each child take a turn being the leader. Talk about how God leads us, and we follow Him together.
Spring of Water Take-Home
Give each child a paper cup filled partway with water and a small paper strip. Ask them to write one thing they want to ask God on the strip and tape it to the cup. At home, the children can drink from the cup each day as a reminder that God gives good gifts when we ask Him, just as Achsah received springs of water.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Judges 1 shows that asking God for direction is the right place to start, and that partial obedience leads to lingering problems. The chapter is honest about failures as well as victories, and it points readers back to God’s faithfulness. Read the whole chapter yourself before class so you can answer questions with confidence.
With children, avoid suggesting that God always promises victory when we ask Him. Some of the battles in this chapter went well and some did not. Focus on the truth that God is with His people and that asking Him first is always good, without turning the lesson into a promise that everything will go our way.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we want to ask You first when we have questions. Help us to listen for Your answers and to trust You when we don’t understand. Thank You for being with us wherever we go. Amen.
