This lesson teaches children that God sees and cares for people who are humble and sorry for their wrongs, while He is not pleased with people who ignore Him and do wrong. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion and one activity.
Big Idea
God lives with people who are humble and sorry for their sins. He loves them and makes their hearts well again. He does not like pride or doing wrong, and He always keeps His promises.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart, then bow your head a little. Say “humble and sorry” while you bow, and then lift your head up tall with both arms stretched high. Going down and up helps children remember that God lifts up people who come to Him with a humble heart.
The Story: Isaiah 57 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke through a prophet named Isaiah. Many people in Israel had turned away from God. They built altars on high hills and under big green trees. They even did terrible things to children, and they bowed down to statues made of stone and wood. God said that He had been patient with them for a very long time.
Some of the people had lived bad, proud lives, and they thought nothing would happen to them. God wanted them to know that He sees everything. He said, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit.” God does not live only in a fancy building or on a mountain. He comes close to people whose hearts are soft and sorry.
God also said He would not be angry forever. When people were sad, He looked at their ways and promised to heal them. He told them that peace would come to the one who is far away and to the one who is near. God wanted His people to come back to Him, and He was ready to comfort those who were mourning.
Still, God was clear about the people who kept doing wrong and refused to change. He said their hearts were like a troubled sea that can never rest, always tossing up mud. He said there is no peace for those who keep turning away. God’s words were true, and He wanted every person to choose to come home to Him.
Read It Together
Isaiah 57:1-2
1 The righteous perish, and no one lays it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, and no one considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil. 2 He enters into peace. They rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.
(WEB)
Point out that the righteous people are taken away from trouble and rest in peace. Ask children how it feels to know that God takes good care of His people, even when life is hard to understand.
Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
(WEB)
Show children that God says, “I have seen his ways, and will heal him.” Explain that God notices when we are sad or have done wrong, and He is always ready to help us feel better.
Isaiah 57:19
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the LORD; “and I will heal them.”
(WEB)
Point out the words “Peace, peace” and say that God gives peace to people who are far away and to people who are close. Remind children that God wants everyone to come to Him.
Talk About It
- What does it mean to have a humble heart, and how can you show humility at home or at school?
- Why do you think God wants to live with people who feel sorry for their wrongs?
- How did the people in the story act when they chose to be proud instead of listening to God?
- What is one way God has comforted you when you felt sad or worried?
- What can you do this week to make peace with someone you have upset?
Activity Ideas
Heart and Hill Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to draw a tall hill on one side of the paper and a small, soft heart on the other. Talk about how God does not live only on the high hill, but He is close to the humble heart. Let children add a little sun or a dove above the heart to show God’s peace.
Sea Calm, Heart Calm Game
Clear some space in the room and have children stand up. Call out “troubled sea” and let them wiggle and shake like rough waves. Then call out “peace” and have them slowly sit down with folded hands. Repeat several times, and after each round remind children that God gives peace to a humble and sorry heart.
Peace Bracelet Take-Home
You will need pipe cleaners and a few beads in two or three colors. Help each child thread the beads onto a pipe cleaner and twist the ends together to make a bracelet. Explain that the bracelet can remind them of Isaiah 57:15, that God lives with humble hearts. Encourage children to wear it and say a short prayer of sorrow or thanks whenever they see it.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is holy and high above all things, yet He chooses to dwell with the humble and the sorry. It also shows that God is patient but not indifferent, and that He takes wrongdoing seriously while still offering healing and peace to those who turn back to Him. The contrast between the peace given to the humble and the restlessness of the wicked is the heart of the passage.
With children, avoid suggesting that God is angry at them all the time or that He is quick to punish. The chapter speaks of God’s patience and His desire to heal. Keep the focus on God’s love and His invitation to come home, so that children feel safe and hopeful rather than fearful.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You see us and love us. Help us to have humble and sorry hearts when we do wrong, and help us to trust You when we feel sad. Thank You for giving us peace and for always being close to us. Amen.
