Judges 3 teaches children that God keeps His promises and rescues His people even after they wander away from Him. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the memory verse, and the activity.
Big Idea
When God’s people turn away from Him and get in trouble, God hears them and sends a rescuer. God never stops caring for His people.
Memory Verse
Judges 3:9
When the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands around their mouths like they are calling out for help. Then they can raise one arm high and wave it slowly, as if saying “Here I am.” Repeat the verse together, doing the motions each time.
The Story: Judges 3 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel lived in the land God had given them. But they did not always obey God. They married people from other nations and began worshiping their false gods, the Baals and the Asheroth. God was very sad, and He let a king from Mesopotamia named Cushan Rishathaim come and rule over them for eight years.
The people were unhappy under that harsh king. They cried out to God for help. God heard them and raised up a rescuer named Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb. God’s Spirit came upon Othniel, and he went to war. God gave Israel the victory, and the land had rest for forty years.
Then the people turned away from God again. God let Eglon, the king of Moab, become strong against them. For eighteen years, Israel served Eglon. Once more, the people cried out to God, and God answered them.
God gave them a rescuer named Ehud. Ehud was left-handed, and he made a sword with two sharp edges. He hid it under his clothes and went to bring the tribute to King Eglon. Eglon was a very fat man. Ehud told the king, “I have a message from God for you.” When Eglon stood up, Ehud reached in with his left hand and struck him with the sword. Then Ehud locked the door and left the room.
Ehud went to the hill country of Ephraim and blew a trumpet. The people of Israel gathered behind him. He told them, “Follow me, for the LORD has given your enemies into your hand.” Israel defeated Moab that day, and the land had rest for eighty years. God was faithful to rescue His people, just as He promised.
Read It Together
Judges 3:7
The children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
(WEB)
Point out that the people forgot God and started serving other gods. Ask the children what it looks like to forget about God in daily life. Help them see that wandering from God always brings trouble.
Judges 3:8
Therefore the LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years.
(WEB)
Show the children that God’s anger came because of the people’s sin, and that God allowed them to suffer for a time. Explain that this was a loving discipline meant to bring them back to Him, not a sign that He had given up on them.
Judges 3:15
But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.
(WEB)
Point out that even after the people went wrong again, they cried out to God, and He sent a rescuer. Remind the children that God is ready to hear them whenever they call on Him, no matter what they have done.
Talk About It
- What are some ways people today might forget about God and start following other things?
- How do you think the people of Israel felt when they were under the rule of a harsh king?
- Why do you think God sent rescuers like Othniel and Ehud to help His people?
- What can you do when you feel far away from God?
- How does knowing God always hears us help you when you are scared or sad?
Activity Ideas
Rescuer Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to draw a picture of a time they needed help and who came to rescue them, such as a parent, friend, or teacher. Then have them add a small picture of God watching over them in the corner. Tape the drawings to the wall as a reminder that God sends helpers in our lives.
Trumpet Call Game
You will need a cardboard tube or a paper cup and a open space to play. Have the children stand in a circle while one child pretends to be the rescuer. When the rescuer blows a pretend trumpet, everyone else lifts their hands and calls out “Help us, Lord!” Then the rescuer leads a slow march around the room, and the children follow.
Rescue Me Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a small envelope for each child. Have each child write or draw one thing they can pray about this week on the card. Encourage them to put the card in the envelope and keep it somewhere they will see it, like by their bed. Tell them this is a reminder that God hears every prayer.
Teacher Notes
The cycle in Judges 3 shows that God’s people repeatedly turned from Him, faced hardship, cried out, and were rescued. For adults, this reveals God’s patient faithfulness. He does not abandon His people when they fail, and He responds when they call on Him in repentance. The rescuers themselves are gifts of God’s grace, not heroes who earned their victories.
Avoid overstating the violence of the Ehud story to children. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness to rescue His people and the fact that the people turned back to Him. Simply say that Ehud defeated the enemy king and that God helped Israel win, without describing the details of the sword or the death.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You hear us when we call to You. Help us remember that You never stop caring for us, even when we make mistakes. Please keep our hearts close to You and help us follow You every day. Thank You for being our faithful rescuer. Amen.
