This lesson teaches children that they can bring their worries and questions to God, even when the world seems unfair, because God hears us and is always in control. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God hears us when we are scared or sad about wrong things, and we can tell Him all about it. He is strong, He is good, and He is still in charge even when we do not understand what He is doing.
Memory Verse
Habakkuk 1:12
Aren’t you from everlasting, the LORD my God, my Holy One? We will not die. The LORD, you have appointed him for judgment. You, Rock, have established him to punish.
(WEB)
Teach the children to place both hands over their hearts, then lift them up high like a rock above their heads on the word “Rock.” Do this slowly together three times so the motion and the words stay in their minds.
The Story: Habakkuk 1 for Kids
Long ago there was a prophet named Habakkuk. He lived in the land of Judah, and he looked around and saw many bad things happening. People were being hurt, and bullies were winning. Habakkuk felt very upset about it.
So Habakkuk went to God and started to talk. He said, “God, how long will I cry for help, and you will not seem to hear me?” He felt like God was not paying attention. It is okay to tell God when we feel this way.
God answered Habakkuk. He said that He was going to send a strong and fierce nation called the Babylonians to punish the wrong that was happening in Judah. Habakkuk was surprised, because the Babylonians were not nice people either.
Habakkuk did not understand why God would use such a hard nation. So he talked to God again and reminded Him of who He is. He said, “Aren’t you from forever ago, O LORD, my God and my Holy One? You are the Rock.”
Habakkuk then told God that he would wait and watch to see what God would do next. He did not pretend he had everything figured out. He simply trusted that God knew the way.
Read It Together
Habakkuk 1:2
The LORD, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you “Violence!” and will you not save?
(WEB)
Point out that Habakkuk did not hide his feelings. He cried out to God honestly. Ask the children what they might say to God when they feel scared or upset.
Habakkuk 1:5
“Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it is told you.
(WEB)
Show the children that God says He is working even when we cannot see it. Explain that God is doing something good that people might not believe at first.
Habakkuk 1:13
You who have purer eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those who deal treacherously, and keep silent when the wicked swallows up the man who is more righteous than he…
(WEB)
Help the children see that God is pure and cannot look at wrong without caring about it. Remind them that Habakkuk brought his hard question to God rather than running away from Him.
Talk About It
- What is something that makes you feel upset or scared when you think about it?
- What did Habakkuk do when he felt like God was not listening?
- How can you talk to God when you feel sad about something unfair?
- Why do you think God wants us to bring our questions to Him?
- What does it mean that God is our Rock, and how does that help us feel safe?
Activity Ideas
Paper Rock Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue if you want to add stones. Ask each child to draw a big rock or cliff in the middle of the page. Around it, they can draw or write things they want to tell God about, then glue a few small stones on top to show that God is their strong Rock.
Rock Stand Game
Clear some space in the room and tell the children that one spot is the “Rock.” When you call out a worry, like “I feel scared,” they run to stand near the Rock and say a short prayer. Then call out a new worry and let them move again. This helps them remember that they can run to God with any feeling.
Take-Home Prayer Stone
Give each child a smooth stone, paint, and a marker. Let them paint a simple picture or word that reminds them of God being their Rock. Encourage them to keep the stone on their nightstand and hold it when they feel worried, reminding them to pray.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that honest prayer can include hard questions and complaints. Habakkuk does not pretend everything is fine. He brings his confusion to God and waits for an answer, and God responds with truth about who He is and what He is doing.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that every hard thing has a neat explanation that we can always see right away. Tell them that God is good and in control, and that we can trust Him even when we do not understand, without promising that every situation will be explained to them.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we are glad we can talk to You about everything, even the things that make us sad or scared. Thank You for being our strong Rock and for hearing us when we cry out. Help us trust You when we do not understand. Amen.
