In this lesson, children learn that they can trust God and still feel joy even when things go wrong. The lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, a few questions, and a short activity.
Big Idea
Even when things are hard, we can choose to trust God and be happy in Him because He is always strong and always faithful to His people.
Memory Verse
Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart when you say the first part, then stretch your arms wide when you say “I will rejoice.” Ask the children to do the motions with you three times, getting a little louder each time.
The Story: Habakkuk 3 for Kids
Long ago, a prophet named Habakkuk wrote a song to God. He had seen many scary things happen. People were treating each other badly, and the land was in trouble. Habakkuk was worried, and he asked God to show His power again and to remember to be merciful.
Habakkuk remembered how God had come to help His people before. He pictured God marching across the land like a mighty king. The mountains shook, the rivers ran, and the sun and moon seemed to stand still to watch. God was not scared of anything. He came to rescue the people He loved.
Then Habakkuk looked around at his own life. He saw that the fig trees had no fruit and the olive trees gave no oil. The fields were empty, and the animals were gone from the barns. It was a time of hunger and loss. Habakkuk shook with fear as he waited for trouble to come.
But Habakkuk made a choice. He said to himself, “Even if I have nothing, I will still be glad in the LORD.” He told God, “You are my strength.” Habakkuk felt sure that God would help him stand firm, like a deer that can climb high places without falling.
Habakkuk’s song ends with his trust in God. Even with empty fields and scary news, Habakkuk chose to sing and to trust the God who saves. That was his song, and it can be ours too.
Read It Together
Habakkuk 3:2
The LORD, I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, the LORD. Renew your work in the middle of the years. In the middle of the years make it known. In wrath, you remember mercy.
(WEB)
Point out that Habakkuk asks God to remember His mercy even when He is angry. Explain that Habakkuk trusted God to be kind, and that children can ask God for help too.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 For though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
(WEB)
Show the children how Habakkuk lists everything that went wrong, and then says he will still rejoice. Ask them to notice the word “yet,” which shows a turn toward hope.
Habakkuk 3:19
The LORD, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high places. For the music director, on my stringed instruments.
(WEB)
Point out that God gives Habakkuk strength and helps him move safely, like a deer on the mountain. Remind children that God gives them strength too when they feel weak.
Talk About It
- What is something that made you feel scared or sad this week?
- What did Habakkuk see that made him afraid, and what did he decide to do about it?
- How can we remember that God is strong when we feel weak?
- What is one thing we can still be thankful for, even on a hard day?
- What does it look like to sing or be joyful in God when things are not perfect?
Activity Ideas
Deer Feet Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace their own two feet on the paper and cut them out. Ask them to draw a mountain on the back of the feet and write “The LORD is my strength” along the edge. Let them take the feet home as a reminder that God helps us climb hard places.
Stand Firm Freeze Game
Clear some space in the room and call out things that make people worried, like “storm,” “empty fridge,” or “bad news.” Children should act out each one, then freeze in a strong standing pose and shout “The LORD is my strength!” Keep the pace playful and lively so children enjoy moving their bodies while learning the verse.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, a pencil, and some slips of paper. Ask your child to write or draw one thing they are thankful for, even on a hard day, and drop it in the jar. Read a few slips together at dinner or bedtime. This helps children practice trusting God and rejoicing in Him every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Habakkuk 3 shows a faithful believer who feels fear and loss honestly but chooses to rest his hope in God. The chapter moves from remembering God’s past power, to laying out present hardship, to a firm commitment to rejoice. It teaches that trust in God does not depend on our circumstances being good.
When teaching children, avoid promising that bad things will never happen to those who trust God. Habakkuk himself faced empty fields and fear. Instead, emphasize that God is with us in hard times and gives us strength to keep trusting Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are strong and You never get tired. When we feel scared or sad, help us remember that You are with us. Help us trust You and find joy in You, even on hard days. Thank You for giving us strength to stand firm. Amen.
