This lesson teaches children that God comforts His people, is more powerful than anything in the world, and gives strength to those who wait on Him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is strong and gentle. He comforts His people, cares for them like a shepherd, and gives new strength to anyone who trusts and waits for Him.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
(WEB)
Stand up tall, then slowly lift your arms like wings. Flap them gently while you say the words together, then run in place for a few steps to show how God gives new strength.
The Story: Isaiah 40 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people were far from home, and many of them felt tired and sad. God sent a prophet named Isaiah to bring them a special message. God said, “Comfort, comfort my people.” He wanted them to know that their hard days were ending and that He had not forgotten them.
Isaiah heard a voice calling out. The voice said to make a straight road in the desert for God to walk on. Every low valley would be lifted up, and every high hill would be made low. Then everyone would see the glory of the LORD together. God Himself was going to come to His people.
Next, Isaiah was told to speak about grass and flowers. They grow up green and beautiful, but then they wither and fade. People are like that too, and they cannot last forever. But the word of our God stands forever, and it never fades away.
Isaiah was told to climb a high mountain and shout good news to the cities of Judah. He was to say, “Behold, your God!” God comes like a mighty king, but He also comes like a shepherd. He feeds His flock and gathers the little lambs in His arms. He carries them close to His heart and gently leads the mothers who have their young.
Then Isaiah asked a question that made people stop and think. Who has measured the waters in the palm of His hand? Who has marked off the sky with a span? God made the mountains and weighed them as if they were light as dust. No one taught God how to do His work. He knows everything.
Some people in Isaiah’s time were tired and thought God had forgotten them. God says that is not true. He gives power to those who feel weak. Even young people grow tired, but those who wait for the LORD will find their strength renewed. They will rise up like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk and not faint.
Read It Together
Isaiah 40:1-2
1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”
(WEB)
Point out the word “comfort” and ask children what it feels like to be comforted by a parent or friend. Explain that God’s first words in this chapter are words of care, sent to people who needed to hear them.
Isaiah 40:11
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
(WEB)
Show how the picture of a shepherd gathering lambs in his arms helps us picture God’s gentleness. Ask children to name times they have felt safe and held, and connect that feeling to what God does for His people.
Isaiah 40:28-29
28 Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
(WEB)
Point out that God never gets tired and gives strength to those who feel weak. Remind children that when they feel small or worn out, God is still strong and ready to help.
Talk About It
- What did God tell Isaiah to say to His people to help them feel better?
- Why do you think the grass and flowers in this chapter remind us that people do not last forever?
- How is God like a shepherd who takes care of his sheep and lambs?
- When do you feel tired or weak, and what can you remember about God’s strength at those times?
- What is one way you can wait on God and trust Him this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Eagle Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace their hands on the paper and cut out the shapes, then draw a bird body in the middle. As they color, talk about how God gives wings to those who wait for Him and helps them rise up when they feel weak.
Shepherd and Lamb Game
Choose one child to be the shepherd and let the others be lambs. The shepherd gently gathers the lambs close and walks them slowly around the room, saying that God gathers His people in His arms. Take turns so every child has a chance to be the shepherd.
Take-Home Strength Jar
You will need a clean jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Ask each child to write one way God gives strength on a slip and place it in the jar. Encourage them to take the jar home and read one slip each morning as a reminder that God renews strength.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter proclaims that God is incomparable. He is far above all nations, rulers, and idols, yet He cares personally for His people like a shepherd. Its message of comfort and renewed strength comes in response to exile and weariness, and it points forward to God’s coming to His people.
With children, avoid overstating the historical details of exile or the specific nations named in the passage. Keep the focus on God’s power, His gentleness, and His faithfulness, rather than making promises that He will always remove every difficulty from their lives.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for comforting us when we are sad and tired. Thank You for being as strong as the whole world and as gentle as a shepherd with his lambs. Help us to wait on You and trust that You will give us new strength each day. Amen.
