This lesson teaches children that God keeps every promise He makes, even when bad things seem to be happening all around. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, even when it looks like everything is falling apart. He takes care of the people who trust Him.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 39:18
For I will surely save you, and you won’t fall by the sword, but you will escape with your life; because you have put your trust in me,” says the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands over their hearts, then open them out wide like a book, as if saying “God keeps His word.” Have them repeat the verse together while making the motion. Do this three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Jeremiah 39 for Kids
A long time ago, a powerful king named Nebuchadnezzar came with a huge army to attack the city of Jerusalem. He surrounded the city and kept his soldiers there for a very long time. The people inside were scared, and they were running out of food and hope.
Finally, the walls of the city were broken open. King Zedekiah of Judah saw the enemy soldiers coming in. He was afraid, so he and his soldiers ran away in the middle of the night, trying to escape through a secret gate. But the enemy soldiers chased after them and caught King Zedekiah in the plains near the city of Jericho.
The soldiers took King Zedekiah to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king was very angry, and he made sad, terrible choices that the people in the city would never forget. Then the enemy soldiers burned the king’s house and the houses of the people, and they tore down the walls of Jerusalem. Many of the people were taken far away to the land of Babylon.
But in the middle of all that sadness, something good happened. The king told his commander, Nebuzaradan, to take care of Jeremiah, the prophet of God. The king said, “Do him no harm.” So the soldiers took Jeremiah out of the prison yard and made sure he was safe.
Then God spoke to Jeremiah. God had a message for a man named Ebedmelech, who had been kind to Jeremiah. God told Jeremiah to say, “I will save you, and you will not be hurt by the sword, because you trusted Me.” God kept His promise to Ebedmelech, just as He keeps His promises to us.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 39:1-2
1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
(WEB)
Point out how the city was attacked and the walls were broken. Remind the children that even though this was a hard time, God was still in control. Ask them to listen for the words “in the ninth year” and “in the eleventh year” and count how many years passed.
Jeremiah 39:11-12
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying, 12 “Take him, and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.”
(WEB)
Show the children that the king gave a command to take care of Jeremiah. Point out the words “Do him no harm.” Explain that God can even work through people who do not know Him to protect the ones who trust Him.
Jeremiah 39:16-17
16 “Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you in that day. 17 But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD; “and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
(WEB)
Explain that God spoke directly to Ebedmelech and promised to rescue him. Point out the words “I will deliver you” and “you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.” Ask the children to say the words “I will deliver you” with a big voice.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Jerusalem have to go through when the enemy army came?
- How do you think Jeremiah felt when he was taken care of by the soldiers?
- What did God promise Ebedmelech, and why do you think God kept that promise?
- Can you think of a time when you felt scared, but you remembered that God was with you?
- What is one promise from God that makes you feel safe?
Activity Ideas
Promise Keeper Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a wall, a gate, or a house, and then draw a small heart or star in the corner to remind them of God’s faithfulness. Have them write or draw one promise God has made in the Bible. Encourage them to share their drawing with the class and explain what their picture means.
Ebedmelech’s Safe House Game
You will need a few chairs or pillows to form a “safe house.” Have the children pretend to be people trying to escape from danger, and one child will be Ebedmelech. Every time the children reach the safe house, they should say together, “God keeps His promises.” This helps the children move their bodies and remember that God protects those who trust Him.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards or pieces of cardboard, a marker, and a pen. Have each child write “God keeps His promises” on the front of the card and draw a picture of something that makes them feel safe. On the back, they can write the verse Jeremiah 39:18 or ask a family member to help them write it. Encourage the children to put the card on their nightstand or in a backpack as a reminder throughout the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our circumstances. Even when Jerusalem fell and the people were taken away, God kept His promise to protect Jeremiah and Ebedmelech. This reminds us that God is faithful to His word, even when the world feels uncertain.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God will always protect us from every bad thing that happens. Instead, focus on the truth that God keeps His promises and is always with us, even in hard times. Be gentle when discussing the destruction and capture of the city, and let the children ask questions as they arise.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us. When we feel scared or sad, help us remember that You are always with us and You take care of those who trust You. Help us to trust You every day, no matter what happens. Amen.
