In this lesson, children learn that God’s way is always the best way, even when it is not the way we would choose. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows what is best for us, so when we ask Him for help, we should be ready to listen and obey, even when His answer is hard.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 42:6
Whether it is good, or whether it is bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send you; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
(WEB)
Stand up tall, then put both hands on your heart. Slowly lift them up and open your arms wide, like you are saying yes to God’s way. Do this together three times as you say the verse aloud.
The Story: Jeremiah 42 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a prophet named Jeremiah. God had sent him to speak to the people of Judah. Now the people were in trouble, and only a small group was left in the land. The leaders and the people all came to Jeremiah and said, “Please pray to God for us. We want to know what He wants us to do.”
Jeremiah said, “I will pray to God and tell you everything He says. I will keep nothing back.” The people promised that they would obey whatever God told them, even if they did not like it. They meant every word they said.
But they waited for ten whole days before God gave Jeremiah His answer. When the answer came, Jeremiah called all the people together. God said, “Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon. I am with you, and I will save you from him. Stay in this land, and I will build you up again.”
The people did not like this answer. They wanted to run away to Egypt, where they thought they would be safe. Jeremiah warned them that God had told them not to go. He reminded them that they had asked God for help, and then they chose their own plan anyway.
Jeremiah told them that if they went to Egypt, the very things they feared would find them there. God wanted them to trust Him and stay in the land He had given them. Jeremiah told them the truth, even though it was hard to hear.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 42:2-3
2 And said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our supplication be presented before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, even for all this remnant; for we are left but a few of many, as your eyes see us; 3 that the LORD your God may show us the way in which we should walk, and the things that we should do.”
(WEB)
Point out that the people asked Jeremiah to pray for them and to show them the way to walk. Ask the children what it means to ask God for directions, and why it matters to listen carefully to His answer.
Jeremiah 42:11
Don’t be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Don’t be afraid of him,’ says the LORD: ‘for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
(WEB)
Point out the words “for I am with you to save you.” Explain that God’s promise to be with His people was a comfort to them when they were afraid, and it is a comfort to us too.
Jeremiah 42:19
“The LORD has spoken concerning you, remnant of Judah, ‘Don’t go into Egypt!’ Know certainly that I have testified to you today.
(WEB)
Point out that God told the people clearly what He wanted them to do. Explain that God is always honest with us, and His words are meant to guide us toward what is good.
Talk About It
- What did the people ask Jeremiah to do for them, and why do you think they wanted his help?
- Why do you think it is hard to wait for God to answer us, like the people had to wait ten days?
- What did God promise the people if they stayed in the land, and how did that make them feel?
- Why did the people want to go to Egypt, and what were they afraid of?
- When have you asked God for help and then found it hard to do what He asked?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Safe Place
You will need paper, crayons or colored pencils, and tape. Ask each child to draw a picture of a place where they feel safe, such as a home, a park, or a tree. Then talk together about how God is with us in every safe place, just as He promised to be with His people. Tape the drawings on the wall as a reminder.
Follow the Leader Obey
You will need an open space and a few simple movement cues. Call out instructions like “hop,” “spin,” or “stand still,” and have the children follow each one as quickly as they can. Explain that listening and obeying right away shows we trust the one who is leading us, just as God asks us to listen to His voice.
Trust Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day for a week, have the child write one thing they asked God for help with and place the slip in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together and thank God for hearing and answering in His own time, even when the answer is not what we expected.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that asking God for guidance is only the first step. The people sincerely asked Jeremiah to seek God’s will and promised to obey, yet when the answer challenged their plans, they chose their own path. The passage calls us to examine whether we are truly ready to follow God’s direction, even when it leads somewhere unexpected.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always give us the exact answer we want, or that obeying Him will always lead to comfort in the moment. The chapter shows God’s care and warning, but it does not promise an easy path. Keep the focus on trusting God’s character and His faithfulness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for caring about what happens to us. Help us to ask You for help and to listen carefully when You answer. Give us courage to trust You, even when Your way is hard. Help us to obey You every day. Amen.
