This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, brings His people home, and wants them to tell the truth and be kind to one another. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God loves His people, keeps His promises, and wants us to be honest and kind to our neighbors. He makes things new, and He helps us do what is right.
Memory Verse
Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that you shall do: speak every man the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates…
(WEB)
Have children stand up and hold both palms together in front of their chests, then slowly open them like a book as they say the verse aloud. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time, until the whole class whispers it together.
The Story: Zechariah 8 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Jewish people, had been carried far away from their home in Jerusalem. Many of them had come back, but the city was still broken and quiet. God spoke to a prophet named Zechariah, and God sent him a message for the people.
God said that He had come back to Jerusalem and would live there in the middle of the city. He said the city would be called “The City of Truth,” because the people there would tell the truth. The mountain of the LORD would be called “The Holy Mountain.” God’s love for His people was very strong, like a parent who cares deeply for a child.
God pictured a happy city. Old men and old women walked slowly through the streets, leaning on their walking sticks. Boys and girls ran and played in the streets, shouting and laughing. God said that if this seemed wonderful to the people, it was also wonderful to Him.
God promised to gather His people back home from far away places, from the east and from the west. He said He would be their God, and they would be His people, living in truth and doing what is right. Then God gave the people a gentle encouragement: “Be strong and don’t be afraid.” He reminded them that the work of building the temple was happening, and He would help them finish it.
God also told the people what He wanted them to do. They were to speak the truth to their neighbors, to judge fairly at the city gates, and not to make plans to hurt one another. God said He hated lying and hurting others. He wanted His people to love the truth and to love peace.
At the end of the chapter, God said that one day people from many nations would come to Jerusalem to seek Him. Some would even hold tightly to the coat of a Jewish person and say, “We want to go with you, because we know God is with you.” God wanted everyone to know Him.
Read It Together
Zechariah 8:3
The LORD says: “I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the middle of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called ‘The City of Truth;’ and the mountain of the LORD of Armies, ‘The Holy Mountain.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God says He “has returned” to Jerusalem and will live there. Ask children to name a time they felt happy when someone came back to them, like a friend or family member coming home.
Zechariah 8:5
The streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”
(WEB)
Show how God pictures children playing freely in the streets. Explain that God delights in joyful, safe places where children can play, and that He wants His people to be full of life and gladness.
Zechariah 8:16-17
16 These are the things that you shall do: speak every man the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates, 17 and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out the things God asks us to do: tell the truth, be fair, and do not plan to hurt others. Explain that God cares about how we treat our neighbors, not just what we say in church.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can tell the truth to someone in your family this week?
- How do you feel when someone is kind to you, and how can you be kind to a neighbor?
- What do you think it felt like for the people when God said He would bring them home?
- Why do you think God says He hates lying and hurting others?
- What is one thing you can do this week to help someone feel safe and happy?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Happy City
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a city with houses, a street, and people playing, including children and older people walking with sticks. Encourage them to add a small mountain in the back and write “Holy Mountain” or “City of Truth” at the top. Let each child explain their picture to the group.
Truth and Peace Tag
Choose one child to be “it” and have them call out a true statement about themselves, like “I have a dog.” Everyone else must then say a true sentence back. Play for a few minutes, then pause to talk about how telling the truth and being kind makes a game fun for everyone. You need only an open space and a few minutes of time.
Truth and Kindness Jar
Find an empty jar and some slips of paper. Each day this week, have your child write down one true and kind thing they did, such as sharing a toy or helping with dishes, and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together out loud and celebrate how God helped them love the truth and peace.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful to His people even after they have suffered and been scattered. Zechariah’s message is a picture of restoration, where God rebuilds the city, brings His people home, and calls them to live honestly and justly with one another. It also shows that God’s plan reaches beyond Israel to people from every nation.
Avoid telling children that God will always make life easy or that following Him guarantees a perfect, trouble-free city. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness, His love, and His invitation to be truthful and kind.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises and for loving us so much. Help us tell the truth, be fair to our neighbors, and love peace in our homes and our school. Make us brave when we are scared, and help us be kind to everyone we meet. We love You. Amen.
