This lesson teaches children that God always invites us to come back to Him, and He is always ready to welcome us. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including discussion and one activity.
Big Idea
God says, “Come back to me, and I will come back to you.” He always wants us to turn toward Him, and He always keeps His promises.
Memory Verse
Zechariah 1:3
Therefore tell them: The LORD of Armies says: ‘Return to me,’ says the LORD of Armies, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of Armies.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands and then slowly turn them toward their chests, like pulling something close. Say the words as they do it. Repeat the motion three times so the children can picture God calling them back to Him.
The Story: Zechariah 1 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people in the land of Judah had stopped listening to Him. They had wandered far away from His ways, and God was not pleased. God sent a prophet named Zechariah to speak to them. Zechariah was the son of Berechiah, and he told the people what God wanted them to hear.
God’s message was simple. He told the people to come back to Him. “Return to me,” God said, “and I will return to you.” The people’s ancestors had not listened to the earlier prophets, and many of them had suffered for it. Zechariah reminded the people of this so they would not make the same mistake.
Later, Zechariah had a night vision. In the vision, he saw a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees in a deep valley. Behind him were red, brown, and white horses. Zechariah asked what they were. An angel explained that these were messengers God had sent to walk back and forth across the whole earth.
The messengers came back and reported, “All the earth is calm and at peace.” But Jerusalem and the cities of Judah were still in ruins. The angel asked God how long He would wait before showing mercy to them. God answered with kind and comforting words.
God told Zechariah to tell the people that He was jealous for Jerusalem and deeply cared for it. He said He would return to Jerusalem with mercy, and His house would be rebuilt there. He promised that the cities would one day overflow with good things again.
In the last part of the vision, Zechariah saw four horns and four craftsmen. The horns stood for the nations that had scattered God’s people. The craftsmen had come to frighten those nations and knock down their horns. God was going to take care of His people.
Read It Together
Zechariah 1:14
So the angel who talked with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says: “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
(WEB)
Point out that God says He is jealous for Jerusalem, meaning He cares about His people very deeply. Ask the children to notice that God’s love is strong and personal, not distant.
Zechariah 1:16
Therefore the LORD says: “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy. My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of Armies, “and a line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”’
(WEB)
Show the children that God says He has returned to Jerusalem with mercy. Explain that mercy means God gives kindness even when we do not deserve it.
Zechariah 1:17
“Proclaim further, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.”’”
(WEB)
Point out the word “again” in this verse. Explain that God keeps bringing good things back to His people, and He promises to comfort them again and again.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to come back to God?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to return to Him?
- How can you tell when you have wandered away from doing what is right?
- What is one way God has shown mercy to you this week?
- How does it feel to know that God always wants you to come back to Him?
Activity Ideas
Paper Path Home Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a winding path that starts at the bottom of the page and leads to a house at the top. Along the path, have them draw small signs showing ways to turn back toward God, such as saying sorry or praying. Let them color the house as the place where God is waiting to welcome them.
Turn Around Game
You will need an open floor space and a chair for each child. Call out “Walk away from God,” and have the children walk away from the center of the room. Then call out “Come back to God,” and have them turn around and walk back to their chairs, saying the memory verse together. Repeat several times, mixing up the commands so children must listen closely.
Take-Home Kindness Card
You will need index cards, stickers, and a marker. Have each child write “Come back to God” on one side of the card and draw a heart on the other. Encourage them to take it home and place it where the family eats or prays together. Ask them to share with a parent one thing they can do this week to turn their heart toward God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a call to repentance and a reminder that God’s invitation to return has never changed. The prophet Zechariah speaks to a community recovering from exile, reminding them that the failures of their ancestors are a warning and that God remains faithful. The night visions that follow show that God is actively at work in the world, caring for Jerusalem even when it looks still and quiet.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of the horns, horsemen, and craftsmen. These symbols are complex, and children can easily become confused or frightened by them. Focus instead on the clear message that God calls His people back to Him and promises mercy.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for always inviting us to come back to You. Help us turn our hearts toward You when we have wandered away. Thank You for Your mercy and for welcoming us with open arms. Help us remember that You are always ready to be near us. Amen.
