This lesson teaches children that Jesus is faithful, and that we can trust him and keep our hearts soft when we hear his voice. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is faithful, so we can trust him every day. When we hear God speak, we can choose to listen with an open heart instead of a hard one.
Memory Verse
Hebrews 3:7
Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice…
(WEB)
Have children cup one hand behind an ear as they say the first half, then open both palms toward the ceiling on the words “hear his voice.” Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Hebrews 3 for Kids
The letter to the Hebrews was written to friends who loved Jesus. Some of them were getting tired and wondering if it was worth it to keep trusting him. The writer wanted them to remember who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God, and he is faithful to everything God has asked him to do.
The writer compared Jesus to Moses. Moses was a faithful servant who took care of God’s people for a long time. But Jesus is more than a servant. He is the Son who built the whole house. We are part of that house when we keep trusting him. That is a wonderful thing to know.
Then the writer remembered a sad story from long ago. God’s people had come out of Egypt, but they stopped trusting him in the desert. They complained and tested God again and again. God was very sad, and they did not get to enter the rest he had promised. The writer said, “Today, if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your hearts.” That means do not get stubborn.
The writer gave a simple message to his friends. Look out for an unbelieving heart, and encourage each other every day. Keep trusting Jesus all the way to the end. The people in the desert did not trust God, and that kept them out of the rest God had for them.
So the lesson for us is clear. Every day is a “today” when we can listen to God and trust him. We can help our friends do the same, and we can hold on to our hope in Jesus.
Read It Together
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus…
(WEB)
Point out that the writer calls the readers “holy brothers” and “partakers of a heavenly calling.” Ask children what it means to be called by God and how Jesus is the one we should keep our eyes on.
Hebrews 3:3-4
3 For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God.
(WEB)
Explain that a house always has a builder, and God is the builder of all things. Show a simple block tower and ask who built it, then connect that to how Jesus is worthy of honor because he is God’s Son.
Hebrews 3:12-13
12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
(WEB)
Point out the words “encourage one another day by day.” Ask children how they can cheer up a friend or sibling today, and remind them that helping each other stay close to Jesus is a gift.
Talk About It
- What does it feel like to trust someone who has always kept their promises?
- Why do you think the people in the desert stopped trusting God?
- What is one way you can hear God’s voice this week?
- How can a hard heart make it harder to listen to God, and how can we keep our hearts soft?
- Who is one friend you can encourage to keep trusting Jesus, and what could you say?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Heart Drawing
Give each child a paper plate, crayons, and a pencil. Have them draw a heart on one side with a smile, and a hard, stony heart on the other. Talk about how they can choose to keep their heart soft by listening to God and trusting Jesus each day.
Follow the Leader Listening Game
Play a simple game of Follow the Leader where the leader gives silly movements only when they say “Today, if you hear his voice.” Children must stop and listen before moving. Afterward, talk about how we listen carefully to God’s voice, just like they listened to the leader.
Take-Home Encouragement Card
Give each child an index card and a marker. Have them write or draw one way they will encourage someone this week, like “I will help my brother” or “I will pray for my friend.” Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it each morning as a reminder that every day is a “today” to trust Jesus.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus is greater than Moses because he is the faithful Son who built God’s house. The warning in the chapter is that a heart can slowly harden through unbelief and sin. The remedy is daily encouragement and holding on to trust in Christ until the end.
Avoid overstating to children that they must be perfect to belong to God, since that can cause fear. Instead, focus on Jesus’ faithfulness and the invitation to keep listening and trusting him each day.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are faithful and always keep your promises. Help us hear your voice today and keep our hearts soft. Help us encourage our friends to trust you too. We love you and want to follow you every day. Amen.
