In this lesson, children learn that when God helps his people, they respond with joyful thanks and singing. This lesson fits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the reading, and the activity.
Big Idea
God is good, so we thank him and sing to him with joy. When we remember what God has done, we can celebrate together, just like the people of Jerusalem did long ago.
Memory Verse
Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up high like cymbals and clap them together on the word “gladness.” Then have them raise their arms and wave them slowly as they say the verse together, one phrase at a time.
The Story: Nehemiah 12 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people came back home to Jerusalem after being away for many years. Their city had been broken down, but the people worked hard to build its walls again. Leaders named Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and Nehemiah helped them get the job done.
The priests and Levites had an important job to do. They were the helpers who led the people in worship and taught them about God. Many names are listed in this chapter, because each family of priests and Levites was remembered and counted. God cared about every one of them.
When the wall was finished, the people wanted to celebrate with a big party for God. Nehemiah told the leaders, “Let us go out with thanks and singing!” So the Levites were gathered from all over the land and brought to Jerusalem to join in the celebration.
Two big groups of singers and helpers walked around the top of the wall in a parade. One group went one way, and the other group went the opposite way. They sang loud songs with cymbals, harps, and trumpets, and everyone could hear them from far away.
The two groups met at the house of God, and they gave thanks together. The people offered sacrifices and rejoiced, because God had filled them with great joy. Even the women and children joined in the happy noise.
The people of Jerusalem kept doing their jobs with thankful hearts. They gave gifts and food to the priests and Levites, so everyone had what they needed. The whole city knew that God had done something wonderful.
Read It Together
Nehemiah 12:43
They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women and the children also rejoiced; so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even far away.
(WEB)
Point out that God made the people rejoice, and that the joy was so big it could be heard far away. Ask the children to think about a time they felt so happy they wanted to shout or sing.
Nehemiah 12:31
Then I brought up the princes of Judah on the wall, and appointed two great companies who gave thanks and went in procession. One went on the right hand on the wall toward the dung gate…
(WEB)
Show the children how the people split into two groups and walked in opposite directions around the wall. Explain that this helped everyone see the celebration and join in the thanks to God.
Nehemiah 12:46
For in the days of David and Asaph of old there was a chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
(WEB)
Tell the children that songs of praise and thanksgiving have been part of God’s people for a very long time. Point out that people who loved God in David’s day also sang to him, so we can join that same tradition today.
Talk About It
- What did the people in Jerusalem have to be thankful for after the wall was finished?
- How do you think it felt to walk on top of the wall singing with your whole family?
- What is one good thing God has done for you that you could thank him for today?
- Why do you think the people wanted the priests and Levites to be part of the celebration?
- What is your favorite way to show thankfulness, like singing, drawing, or helping someone?
Activity Ideas
Paper Cymbal Craft
You will need two paper plates, a marker, a hole punch, and some yarn or ribbon. Let the children decorate the plates with thankful words or drawings, such as a sun or a heart. Punch a hole in the middle of each plate, thread a loop of yarn through, and let the children tie the loop around their fingers so they can clap the plates together during your songs.
Wall Parade Game
Clear a space in your room or yard and use a row of chairs or a strip of tape to make a wall. Divide the children into two groups and have them march in opposite directions around the wall while singing a simple thank-you song. When the groups meet at the end, have everyone shout “Thank you, God!” together.
Thankful Jar Take-Home
You will need an empty jar, paper scraps, and a pencil. Ask each child to write or draw one thing they are thankful for on a paper scrap and place it in the jar. Encourage the family to read a few notes together at dinner each week, so the habit of thanks and singing continues at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that the rebuilding of Jerusalem was a community effort. The long lists of names remind us that God knows and values every person who serves him, even those whose names are not famous. The celebration also shows that worship and thanksgiving were central to the people’s renewed life after returning home.
Avoid overstating to children that God always makes every hard job turn out happy right away. The people in this story worked hard, faced opposition, and needed time to rebuild. Focus on God’s faithfulness and the joy of thanking him, without suggesting that trouble will never come.
A Prayer to Close
Thank you, Lord, for being good to us every day. Help us to sing and shout with joy when we remember all you have done. Teach our hearts to be thankful, and help us to share that joy with others. Amen.
