This lesson teaches children that God chose the Israelites as his own special people, loved them, and kept his promises, so they could trust him and stay close to him instead of following other gods. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a short story, a memory verse, and simple activities.
Big Idea
God loves us, keeps his promises, and asks us to love him back by trusting him and doing what is good. When we stay close to him, we are safe with him.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God himself is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…
(WEB)
Hold both hands together in front of your chest, then stretch them slowly out to the side like a big hug. Say the verse together as you move, and tell the children that the big hug shows how faithful God is to those who love him.
The Story: Deuteronomy 7 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were getting ready to enter a new land that God had promised to give them. They had been slaves in Egypt for many years, and God had rescued them with his strong hand. Now Moses was telling them what God wanted them to remember before they went in. Moses explained that the land already had many nations living in it, and that these nations did not know God and worshiped idols.
God told his people to be careful. They were not to make friends with those nations in a way that would lead them away from God, and they were not to copy the idols or the false worship. Moses said, “You are a holy people to the LORD your God.” God wanted his people to belong fully to him, so they would not be pulled toward things that could hurt their hearts.
Moses reminded them that God had not chosen them because they were big or powerful. In fact, they were one of the smallest nations. God chose them because he loved them and because he had made a promise to their ancestors. Moses said, “Know therefore that the LORD your God himself is God, the faithful God.” God always does what he says, and he is kind to those who love him.
God also told them that if they kept his commands and trusted him, he would bless them. He promised to take care of their families, their food, and their animals. He said that he would protect them, and that they did not need to be afraid of the nations around them. God was with them, and he was strong enough to help them.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a holy people to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.
(WEB)
Point out that God calls his people holy and special, meaning they belong to him. Ask the children what it feels like to belong to someone who loves them, and remind them that God’s love is even bigger.
Deuteronomy 7:8
But because the LORD loves you, and because he desires to keep the oath which he swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
(WEB)
Show that God chose his people because he loves them, not because they earned it. Explain that God rescued them from slavery, which is a picture of how he rescues us when we trust him.
Deuteronomy 7:21
You shall not be scared of them; for the LORD your God is among you, a great and awesome God.
(WEB)
Point out that God is with his people and that he is great and powerful. Tell the children that when they feel scared, they can remember that God is right there with them.
Talk About It
- What did God promise his people in this story, and why could they trust him?
- How can you show God that you love him in the way you act at home or at school?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to stay away from things that would pull their hearts away from him?
- When have you felt safe because someone you trust was close to you?
- What is one thing you can remember about God being with you when you feel afraid?
Activity Ideas
Heart Shield Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large heart on the paper and cut it out. Let them write or draw one way they can love God this week, such as helping at home or praying each day, and glue it to a sheet of construction paper as a shield to display in the classroom or on the fridge.
Follow the Faithful Leader Game
Clear some open space in a room or hallway. Have one child be the leader, who makes simple movements like clapping, stomping, or waving, and everyone else copies. Stop the game and talk about how the children followed the leader, and connect it to how God’s people followed him and trusted his promises.
Promise Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day for a week, write one thing God has done or promised on a paper slip and place it in the jar. Read the slips together at the end of the week, and remind the family that God keeps his promises every time.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s love and faithfulness are the foundation of the covenant relationship with Israel. The chosen people were not chosen for their own strength but because of God’s love and his promise to their ancestors. The command to keep separate from idolatry is about protecting a whole-hearted devotion to the one true God, and the promise of blessing is tied to trusting and obeying him.
With children, avoid overstating the harsh language about the nations in the land. Focus on God’s faithfulness, his love for his people, and the call to stay close to him. Keep the emphasis on trust and belonging rather than on the destruction described in the passage, and explain that God’s people are called to love God above all else.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you love us and keep every promise you make. Help us to trust you, to stay close to you, and to love you with all our hearts. Thank you for being with us every day. Amen.
