This lesson teaches children that God is with His people, even when a job feels small or hard, and that He asks them to be strong and keep working. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verse and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God is with us, so we can be strong and keep working for Him, even when our work seems small.
Memory Verse
Haggai 2:4
Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says the LORD of Armies.
(WEB)
Stand tall with your hands on your hips, like a strong builder. Then slowly lift both arms up over your head and say the verse with a big voice. Repeat it three times, getting louder each time.
The Story: Haggai 2 for Kids
Many years ago, God’s people had returned home to Jerusalem after being away in a faraway land. They began building the Lord’s house, the temple, and it was hard work. Some of the older people remembered how beautiful the first temple had been, so this new one looked very small to them.
One day, in the seventh month, God sent a prophet named Haggai to speak to the people. He spoke to Zerubbabel, the governor, and to Joshua, the high priest. God asked the people, “Who is left who saw this house in its former glory? Does it look like nothing to you now?”
But God did not want them to give up. He told them, “Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Joshua. Be strong, all you people of the land, and get back to work, for I am with you.” God reminded them that His Spirit had lived among them since the day they left Egypt, and He told them not to be afraid.
God also made a promise. He said that the glory of this new house would one day be greater than the glory of the old one. He said that the silver and the gold belong to Him, and that He would give peace in that place. The people could trust that God was planning something wonderful.
Later that same year, God gave Haggai another message for the people. He asked them to think about the days before the temple was rebuilt. Their work had not gone well then, but God said that from that day on, He would bless them. God wanted them to remember that He was faithful, even when they were tired.
Finally, God spoke to Zerubbabel again. He said that He would shake the heavens and the earth, and that He had chosen Zerubbabel to be special to Him, like a signet ring that is worn close to the heart.
Read It Together
Haggai 2:4-5
4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says the LORD of Armies. 5 This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Don’t be afraid.’
(WEB)
Point out that God tells the people to be strong and to work, and then He says why: because He is with them. Ask the children what it feels like to know that someone is with them when a task feels hard.
Haggai 2:7-8
7 And I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the LORD of Armies.
(WEB)
Show the children that the silver and the gold belong to God. Explain that everything good we have comes from Him, and that He can do far more than we can imagine.
Haggai 2:23
In that day, says the LORD of Armies, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of Armies.”
(WEB)
Point out that God calls Zerubbabel His servant and says he is chosen. Remind the children that God also knows each of them by name and has a place for them in His work.
Talk About It
- What did the people feel when they looked at the new temple and saw how small it was?
- What did God tell the people to do, even when they felt tired or discouraged?
- Why do you think God said, “I am with you,” before He asked them to work?
- What is a task you have been working on that felt hard, and how can you ask God for strength?
- How can you be strong and encouraging to someone who is feeling like giving up?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper Temple
You will need paper cups, cardboard, tape, markers and some small pieces of gold or silver paper. Have each child build a small temple using the cups and cardboard, then decorate it with the shiny paper. As you work, talk about how the people kept building even when it was hard, and how God was with them in every step.
Be Strong March
Gather the children in an open space and call out “Be strong!” Have them march in place, lifting their knees high, and then stop and say together, “God is with us!” Repeat the march several times, changing the pace each time. This helps children link the words of the lesson with a movement they can remember.
Strong Helper Card
Give each child an index card and some crayons. Ask them to draw one thing they are working on this week, such as chores, homework or helping a friend. On the back, they write or draw “God is with me.” Encourage them to take it home and place it somewhere they will see it each day as a reminder.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter speaks to people who are discouraged by small beginnings and who compare their work to what came before. God does not dismiss their effort but calls them to keep going, grounded in His presence and His promise to bring greater glory and peace. The focus is on faithfulness, not on the size or appearance of the work.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that God will reward every effort with visible success or wealth. The silver and gold in this chapter point to God’s ownership of all things, not to a guarantee of material blessings. Keep the emphasis on God’s presence and His call to be strong and faithful.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for being with us in everything we do. When our work feels small or hard, help us to be strong and keep going. Remind us that You are near, and that You can do far more than we can see. We trust You today. Amen.
