This lesson teaches children that God wants His people to be fair, honest, and faithful to Him, and that He gives good leaders and clear rules to help them. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is fair, and He wants us to be fair too. He gives good rules to help His people choose right and follow Him.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 17:19
It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them…
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and open the other hand like a book. Then move your open hand slowly up and down, as if you are reading. Say the verse together while you do the motion.
The Story: Deuteronomy 17 for Kids
God gave His people many rules to help them live well in the land He was giving them. One rule was that they must never offer God an animal that was sick or hurt. God deserved their very best, so they had to bring Him the best they had.
God also knew that people sometimes did wrong things. If someone broke God’s rules and worshiped the sun, the moon, or the stars, the people had to look carefully into it. They could not guess or gossip. They had to make sure the story was true, and they needed at least two or three witnesses before anyone was judged.
When a problem was too hard for the people to decide, they went to the priests and the judge at the place God chose. The judge would tell them, “Do what the Lord’s teachers say, and do not turn away from it.” God wanted His people to listen carefully and follow His word.
God also talked about a king. One day the people might say, “We want a king like all the other nations.” God said they could have a king, but He had to choose him, and he had to be one of their own brothers. God told this king not to collect too many horses, too many wives, or too much silver and gold, because these things could turn his heart away from God.
God gave the king a special job. He was to write a copy of God’s law and read it every day. In this way he would learn to fear the Lord, keep His word, and not think he was better than his brothers. God promised that a humble king who obeyed would live a long time, and his children would too.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.
(WEB)
Point out that God cares about what we give Him. He asked for the very best, not the leftovers. Ask the children what they might give God, like their time, their kind words, or their prayers.
Deuteronomy 17:11
According to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do. You shall not turn away from the sentence which they shall show you, to the right hand, nor to the left.
(WEB)
Show how God wanted His people to follow the teachers He gave them and not turn away from what was right. Ask the children who helps them learn about God at home, at church, or at school.
Deuteronomy 17:18-19
18 It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites. 19 It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them…
(WEB)
Explain that God wanted the king to read His word every day. Remind the children that reading the Bible, even a little at a time, helps us learn to love and obey God.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God wanted His people to give Him, and why do you think He wanted the best?
- Why did God say the people needed more than one witness before deciding something?
- How can we be fair when someone tells us a story about another person?
- What did God tell the king not to collect too much of, and why might those things make a person forget God?
- How does reading God’s word every day help us to be humble and kind to others?
Activity Ideas
Crown of Good Choices Craft
Give each child a strip of paper long enough to wrap around their head, plus markers, stickers, and tape. Have them write one way they can follow God’s rules this week, like being honest or sharing with a sibling. Tape the strip into a crown and let them wear it while they tell the class their choice.
Fair Judge Game
Gather a few small objects and place them in a bag. Have two children each describe one object without showing it, and let the other children guess which one is true. Talk about how we need careful listening and at least two clear witnesses before we decide something, just as God taught His people. Keep the game fun and gentle.
Take-Home Word Book
Give each child a small notebook or a folded sheet of paper stapled into a booklet. Ask them to draw a book on the cover and write “God’s Word” on it. At home, they can draw one picture each day of something God’s word teaches, such as kindness, honesty, or thankfulness. Encourage the family to look at the pictures together at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about justice, honesty, and the character of leaders. It reminds us that the law was given for the good of the whole community, and that every person, including kings, is accountable to God and His word. Christians read these rules with gratitude, seeing God’s heart for fairness and His care for His people.
With children, avoid suggesting that the punishments described in this chapter should be applied today or that children should be harsh with others. Keep the focus on God’s goodness, His desire for honesty, and His invitation to listen to His word and follow Him with a humble heart.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for giving us Your good rules. Help us to be honest and fair, to listen to those who teach us about You, and to read Your word every day. Make our hearts humble and kind, and help us follow You all our days. Amen.
