In this lesson, children learn that God is pleased when people keep their promises and listen to Him, even when it is hard. This lesson takes about 20 to 30 minutes and works well for children ages 5 to 11.
Big Idea
God loves it when we keep our promises and listen to what He tells us, even when it is hard to do.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 35:14
“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and to this day they drink none, for they obey their father’s commandment; but I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking, and you have not listened to me.
(WEB)
Have the children cross their arms over their chest, then open them wide like a book as they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time until they whisper it.
The Story: Jeremiah 35 for Kids
A long time ago, the Lord told the prophet Jeremiah to do something surprising. He said, “Go to the family of the Rechabites and invite them into the Lord’s house.” The Rechabites were a family who had a special promise to keep. Their father, Jonadab, had told them never to drink wine, and they had always obeyed.
Jeremiah went to find them and brought them into one of the rooms in the temple. He set out big bowls of wine and cups, and then he said, “Please, drink some wine!” The Rechabites smiled and said no. They explained, “Our father told us we must never drink wine. We have kept that promise for many, many years.”
The Rechabites did more than skip wine. They also lived in tents instead of building houses, and they did not plant vineyards or fields. They did this because their father had asked them to, and they wanted to honor him. Their whole family had kept the same promise, from parents to children.
Then God spoke to Jeremiah again. He said, “Look at the Rechabites! They kept their father’s promise, even when it was hard. But the people of Judah have not listened to Me, even though I have spoken to them again and again.” God was sad that His own people would not listen. He told Jeremiah to warn them about the trouble that was coming.
Then God gave the Rechabites a wonderful promise of their own. Jeremiah told them, “Because you have obeyed your father, the Lord says that there will always be a man from your family to stand before Him.” God rewarded the family that kept their word.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 35:2
“Go to the house of the Rechabites, and speak to them, and bring them into the LORD’s house, into one of the rooms, and give them wine to drink.”
(WEB)
Point out that God gave Jeremiah a clear and simple task. Ask the children to notice how God told Jeremiah exactly what to do, and how the Rechabites were the ones who were invited into God’s house.
Jeremiah 35:6-7
6 But they said, “We will drink no wine; for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, neither you, nor your sons, forever. 7 You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, or have any; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land in which you live as nomads.’
(WEB)
Show the children the promise that the Rechabites were given by their father. Explain that they were not just following a rule but were honoring the words of someone they loved and trusted.
Jeremiah 35:17-19
17 “Therefore the LORD, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard; and I have called to them, but they have not answered.’” 18 Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you;’ 19 therefore the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before me forever.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God was sad that His people would not listen, but He also rewarded the family that obeyed. Help the children see that God notices faithfulness and blesses people who keep their word.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the Rechabites kept their promise even when it was hard for them?
- What is a promise you have made to someone you love, and how can you keep it this week?
- How did it make God feel when His people would not listen to Him?
- What are some ways we can listen to God when He speaks to us today?
- What did God promise to the Rechabite family because they were faithful?
Activity Ideas
Promise Keeper Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a promise they can keep this week, such as helping at home or being kind to a sibling. Let them decorate the paper with stars or hearts, and hang the drawings on the wall as a reminder of their promises.
Listen and Follow Game
Gather the children in an open space and play a simple “Simon Says” style game. Give clear instructions like “Touch your toes” or “Turn around three times,” and see who listens carefully and follows every step. Explain that listening carefully to instructions is like listening to God, and encourage them to keep trying to hear His voice.
Promise Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small envelope for each child. Have each child write or draw one promise they will keep at home this week, then seal it in the envelope. Encourage them to share their card with a parent or sibling and ask that person to help remind them to keep it.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that faithfulness to commitments matters deeply to God, and that He notices when people keep their word even when it costs them something. It also reveals God’s patience and sorrow when His people refuse to listen after repeated warnings. The Rechabites serve as a picture of obedience that speaks quietly to a larger audience that had turned away.
Avoid suggesting to children that God rewards good behavior with special favors or that keeping rules always brings blessings in an easy way. The point is that God is faithful and values obedience and loyalty, not that following instructions will guarantee a comfortable life.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises to us. Help us to listen carefully when You speak and to keep our own promises, even when it is hard. Give us hearts that want to honor You and the people we love. Amen.
