In this lesson, children learn that God gives His people leaders and helpers, and that we should listen carefully to the messengers He sends. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people, and He tells them the truth. We listen to God’s words and trust Him, not people who pretend to know the future.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up tall, then cup one hand behind an ear as if listening carefully. Say the verse together while keeping that hand in place, and repeat it a few times, sitting down each time you finish.
The Story: Deuteronomy 18 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people, the Israelists, were getting ready to enter a new land God had promised them. Moses was their leader, and he wanted them to remember something important. Some tribes were set apart to serve God in special ways, especially the tribe of Levi. The priests from that tribe did not get their own piece of land like the others. Instead, God Himself was their inheritance, and the people shared their offerings with them.
God also warned His people about the nations living in the land. Those nations did terrible things. They tried to find out secrets by talking to fake spirits, and some even offered their children to idols. God said, “You must not copy these things.” His people were meant to be different, belonging fully to Him.
Then God made a promise. He would raise up a prophet, a messenger who would speak His words. This prophet would be like Moses, someone from among the people. God said, “You shall listen to him.” The people had been afraid when they heard God’s voice at Mount Horeb, so God chose to speak through a human messenger they could trust.
God also explained how to tell a true messenger from a false one. A true prophet speaks what God commands and what comes true. A false prophet speaks lies or claims to speak for other gods. God said, “You shall not be afraid of him” if the prophet’s words do not come true, because God had not spoken them.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 18:1-2
1 The priests the Levites, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire and his portion. 2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers. The LORD is their inheritance, as he has spoken to them.
(WEB)
Point out that the priests did not have land of their own, because the Lord was their special gift. Ask the children what it would feel like to have God as your most important treasure, instead of things you can hold in your hands.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19
18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
(WEB)
Show the children that God promised to send a prophet who would speak His words exactly. Explain that this promise points forward to Jesus, whom Christians believe is the greatest messenger God ever sent.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22
21 You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?” 22 When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.
(WEB)
Help the children see that God gives a simple test for false messages: what the messenger says either happens or does not. Encourage them that they can ask trusted grown-ups questions about what they hear.
Talk About It
- What did God give to the priests instead of land, and why do you think that was a good gift?
- Why do you think God told His people not to copy the other nations?
- Who is someone God has given you to help you learn about Him?
- How can you tell when a message is true, and when someone is trying to trick you?
- Why is it good to listen to God’s words instead of what people make up?
Activity Ideas
Ear and Heart Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a big ear in the middle, then draw a heart inside it. Let them write or draw one thing God has told them to do. Talk about how listening to God starts in the heart.
Listen and Follow Game
Choose one child to be the messenger and give them a simple instruction to whisper to a friend, such as “touch your head.” Have the friend act it out. Play a few rounds, then talk about how the messenger must say only what they were told, just like God’s prophet.
Take-Home Promise Card
Cut index cards in half and give each child one. Ask them to write “I will listen to God” on the card and tape it to a bedroom mirror or lunchbox. Encourage families to read the card together each morning and talk about one thing they heard from God that day.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God cares for His people by giving them a clear way to know His voice. He provided for the Levites, warned against spiritual practices that lead people away from Him, and promised a prophet who would speak His truth. Adults can see how this points ahead to Christ, the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King.
Avoid suggesting to children that they can predict the future or should fear every odd event. Keep the focus on trusting God’s words and loving the people He gives to teach us.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for taking care of us and for telling us the truth. Help us listen carefully to Your words and trust You every day. Thank You for the helpers You give us to teach us about You. Amen.
