Deuteronomy 28 teaches children that God blesses people who listen to him and follow his ways, and that turning away from him leads to trouble. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God gives good gifts to people who listen to him and do what he says. When we choose to follow him, we are choosing the path where he takes care of us.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 28:2
All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to the LORD your God’s voice.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands behind their ears when they say “listen,” then cup both hands together in front of their chest as they say “blessings.” Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Deuteronomy 28 for Kids
Moses was getting ready to say goodbye to the people of Israel. They had walked a long way through the wilderness, and soon they would enter a land God had promised them. Before they crossed over, Moses gathered them together to remind them of something very important.
He told them that God had a plan for them. If they listened carefully to God and did everything he commanded, God would bless them in every part of their lives. Their cities would be blessed, their fields would be blessed, and their families and animals would be blessed too. Moses said that God would even help them win battles against their enemies.
Then Moses told them the other side of the story. If they stopped listening to God and chose to follow other gods, trouble would follow. The crops would fail, the animals would get sick, and their enemies would have the upper hand. Moses did not say this to scare them. He said it because he loved them and wanted them to choose well.
Moses looked at the people and said, “Choose to listen to the Lord your God today.” He wanted them to remember that God was always faithful, and that their choices really mattered. The people had a choice to make, and so do we.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 28:1
It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to the LORD your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
(WEB)
Point out the words “if you shall listen diligently.” Ask the children what it looks like to listen carefully to a parent or teacher, and show how God’s blessing begins with paying close attention to him.
Deuteronomy 28:12
The LORD will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow.
(WEB)
Show the children that God is described as having a good treasure in the sky that he uses to bless the land with rain. Help them see that God is generous and cares about the food and work people depend on each day.
Deuteronomy 28:13-14
13 The LORD will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath; if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, to observe and to do, 14 and shall not turn away from any of the words which I command you today, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
(WEB)
Explain that God wanted his people to stay on the right path and not turn to the left or right. Use a hand gesture, pointing straight ahead, to show the children what it means to keep following God without wandering off.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can show God that you are listening to him this week?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to remember his commands?
- What good things do you notice God giving to your family or to you?
- What might tempt someone to stop following God, and how can we stay strong?
- How does it feel when someone you love listens carefully to you, and how do you think God feels when we listen to him?
Activity Ideas
Blessing Path Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a winding road from the bottom of the page to the top, then draw good things along the road such as a house, a field of food, a happy family, and sunshine. Talk through each picture and say how God blesses people who follow him.
Follow the Leader Game
Gather the children in an open space and choose one child to be the leader. The leader makes simple movements such as hopping, clapping, or touching their toes, and everyone else must copy exactly. Explain that listening to God means following his directions carefully, just like they follow the leader.
Take-Home Blessing Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Ask the family to write one thing they listened to God about each day, or one blessing they noticed, and drop the slip in the jar. At the end of the week, open the jar together and read the blessings aloud as a family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s blessings are tied to a relationship of trust and obedience, not to a formula for earning favor. Israel’s story reminds us that God is faithful and wants his people to live in a way that reflects his character. The chapter also shows that our choices carry real consequences, and that God calls us to a faithful response.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that every hardship is a punishment for disobedience or that obeying God guarantees a life free from problems. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and love, and let children know that God cares for them even when life is hard.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for loving us and for caring about every part of our lives. Help us to listen carefully to you and to follow the path you show us. Thank you for all the good gifts you give us each day. Amen.
