This lesson teaches children that when we turn away from God and then come back to Him, He hears us and cares about us. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God still loves His people when they turn away from Him, and He is ready to help when they come back to Him and say sorry.
Memory Verse
Judges 10:15
The children of Israel said to the LORD, “We have sinned! Do you to us whatever seems good to you; only deliver us, please, today.”
(WEB)
Put your hands together in front of your chest, then lift them up slowly as you say the verse together. The motion shows that we bring our hearts back to God in prayer.
The Story: Judges 10 for Kids
Years went by after a leader named Abimelech died. Two other leaders, Tola and Jair, helped the people of Israel for a long time. But the people did not keep following the one true God. They started worshiping the idols of the nations around them, like Baal and Ashtaroth. They forgot about the LORD who had rescued them from Egypt.
Because the people had turned away, the LORD let their enemies cause them trouble. The Philistines and the Ammonites pushed hard against the people of Israel. For eighteen years, the people were in great trouble on the other side of the Jordan River. They were very afraid and very sad.
Finally, the people cried out to the LORD. They said, in their own simple words, that they had done wrong by leaving Him to serve other gods. God reminded them how He had saved them many times before. He also told them that the gods they had chosen could be the ones to help them now.
The people did not argue. They got rid of the idols they had been worshiping. They chose to serve the LORD again. God saw their sadness and felt sorry for their trouble. The story ends with the Ammonites gathering to fight, and the people of Israel gathering at Mizpah, waiting to see who would lead them.
Read It Together
Judges 10:10
The children of Israel cried to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Baals.”
(WEB)
Point out that the people did not hide what they had done. They told God plainly, “We have sinned.” Ask the children why being honest with God is a good thing to do.
Judges 10:16
They put away the foreign gods from among them, and served the LORD; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
(WEB)
Show the children that the people actually changed their actions. They put away the false gods and served the LORD. Point out that God’s heart was moved by their sadness and care for them.
Judges 10:13-14
13 Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods. Therefore I will save you no more. 14 Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen. Let them save you in the time of your distress!”
(WEB)
Explain gently that God did not want the people to forget Him. He reminded them that the gods they chose could not save them. Help the children see that God wants His people to trust Him above everything else.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Israel do that made God sad?
- How did the people feel after being troubled for so many years?
- What did the people say to God when they wanted to come back to Him?
- Why do you think it is important to get rid of things that take our hearts away from God?
- What is one way we can show God that we want to follow Him this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Heart Craft
You will need a paper plate, markers or crayons, glue, and some scrap paper. Have each child draw a big heart on the plate and write the words “Lord, I come back to You” inside it. They can decorate the edges and take it home as a reminder that God welcomes us back.
Turn Around Game
Ask the children to stand in a circle facing the center. Call out “Turn away!” and have them turn their backs to the middle. Then call “Turn back!” and have them spin around to face the center again. Remind them that God always welcomes us when we turn back to Him.
Prayer Card for the Car
You will need index cards and a pen. Write a short prayer on each card, such as “God, help me come back to You when I wander.” Let the children decorate the card and keep it in the car or by their bed. It gives families a simple way to talk about turning back to God together.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows adults that God is patient and faithful even when His people wander away from Him. He hears honest confession and responds with compassion. The story also reminds us that turning away from God has real consequences, but returning to Him is always possible.
Avoid suggesting that children can earn God’s love by being sorry enough. Instead, emphasize that God’s love is already there and that repentance is simply turning toward the One who has always loved us.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us even when we wander away from You. Help us be honest when we make mistakes, and help us turn back to You every time. We know You are always ready to hear us and to help us. Amen.
