This lesson teaches children that God alone is the one who rescues us, and that turning to other things instead of him never works out well. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the activity, and the prayer.
Big Idea
God is the only one who saves us. When we trust other things instead of God, we get lost, but God never stops loving us and is always ready to help us come back.
Memory Verse
Hosea 13:4
“Yet I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; and you shall acknowledge no god but me, and besides me there is no savior.
(WEB)
Ask the children to hold both hands up, palms facing out, and then slowly bring them together in front of their chest as if they are holding something very close. As you say the verse together, they can hold their hands in that spot to remind them that God is the one holding them close.
The Story: Hosea 13 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people lived in the land of Israel. The tribe of Ephraim was one of the largest and most important parts of that nation, and its people were proud. They thought they could take care of themselves. But they began to worship Baal, a false god made of wood and stone and silver. Bowing down to a statue cannot save anyone, and it was not long before the people found themselves in trouble.
The people did not stop there. They kept making more idols, and some of them even did terrible things that God hated. God spoke through the prophet Hosea and reminded them of something important. He was the one who brought them out of Egypt. He was the one who took care of them in the hot, dry desert. He wanted them to know that he was the only true God and that there was no other savior.
But the people had forgotten him. When they had plenty to eat, their hearts became proud, and they stopped thinking about the God who had given them everything. God said that because of this, things would change. The people would be like morning mist that disappears in the sun, or dust blown away by the wind. Their false gods could not protect them.
God said something sad in this chapter. He told his people that they had turned away from him. Yet even in the middle of the warning, God still said, “I will redeem them from death!” God wanted to rescue them and bring them back. He was not finished loving his people, even when they had wandered far away from him.
The story ends with a hard truth. The people were not wise to trust in kings and idols. They had chosen their own way instead of God’s way, and they had to face the results. But the chapter also shows us God’s heart. He is faithful, and he is always the one who can save.
Read It Together
Hosea 13:5
I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
(WEB)
Point out that God says, “I knew you in the wilderness.” Explain that even in a dry, lonely place, God was taking care of his people. Ask the children to think about a time when they felt God was close to them.
Hosea 13:9
You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your help.
(WEB)
Help the children notice the word “help.” Explain that God is our true help, and that when we turn away from him we lose the one who could help us most. Gently show them that God still wants us to come back to him.
Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.
(WEB)
Point out the words “I will ransom them” and “I will redeem them.” Explain that to ransom or redeem someone means to rescue them and bring them back. Remind the children that God is always willing to rescue people who come to him.
Talk About It
- What are some things people sometimes trust in instead of God?
- Why do you think the people forgot about God when they had plenty to eat?
- How did God take care of his people when they were in the hot, dry desert?
- What does it mean that God is the only savior?
- How can we remember to thank God every day for taking care of us?
Activity Ideas
Hand Print Savior Craft
You will need construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace one of their hands on the paper and cut it out. On the palm, have them write or draw one thing God has done for them. On the fingers, they can write the names of people who help them. Talk about how God holds us and helps us, just like a hand.
Lion, Bear, or Leopard Freeze Game
Clear an open space in your room or outside. Choose one child to be God, who stays at one end of the room. The other children are the people of Israel and start at the opposite end. When God calls “Come back to me,” they must run toward him. When the leader calls “Wild animal,” the children freeze. Explain that God calls us to come back to him, and he always rescues those who return.
Morning Mist Sticker Chart
You will need a sheet of paper, stickers, and a marker. Draw a simple chart with seven boxes, one for each day of the week. Each day, have the child write one way they trusted God or thanked him, and let them place a sticker in that box. Explain that God is faithful every day, and that our trust in him should be steady, not like morning mist that quickly disappears.
Teacher Notes
Hosea 13 shows that trusting anything other than God leads to emptiness and loss, and that God alone is the true savior. Adults can see how easily pride and comfort can make us forget God, especially when life feels good. The chapter also shows God’s deep faithfulness, since he continues to call his people back even after they have wandered far away.
When teaching children, avoid making the story only about punishment or fear. The chapter contains hard warnings, but it also includes God’s promise to ransom and redeem. Make sure the children leave knowing that God wants to rescue them, not simply that he is angry.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you are our only true savior. Help us remember that you are always with us, even in hard and dry places. When we start to trust other things, bring us back to you. Thank you for loving us and never giving up on us. Amen.
