In this lesson, children learn that God keeps his promises even when things look hopeless, and that the city of Jerusalem fell because the people had turned away from God. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is always faithful, even when his people make bad choices and have to face hard consequences. He never stops loving them, and he always keeps his word.
Memory Verse
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. 23 They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
(WEB)
Have children cup both hands together like a bowl, then slowly open them wide as they say the words “new every morning.” The motion helps them remember that God’s love is fresh each day, like a sunrise.
The Story: Jeremiah 52 for Kids
Once upon a time, a young man named Zedekiah became the king of Judah. He was only twenty-one years old, and he ruled in the city of Jerusalem for eleven years. But Zedekiah did not follow God. He did what was wrong in God’s eyes, just as the kings before him had done.
Then a king named Nebuchadnezzar came from the land of Babylon with a huge army. His soldiers surrounded Jerusalem and waited for a very long time. Food ran out, and the people grew hungry. Zedekiah tried to escape at night, but the soldiers caught him near Jericho. Sadly, his own army scattered and ran away.
The people of Babylon took Zedekiah far away to the king. The king was angry, and he treated Zedekiah very harshly. Soldiers burned the great house of God and the king’s palace, and they broke down the walls of the city. Many of the people were carried away to Babylon. The leaders said, “We are sorry that we did not listen to God.” Some of the poorest people were left behind to tend the vineyards and fields.
Years went by, and God had not forgotten his people. Near the end of the story, a king in Babylon named Evil-Merodach showed kindness to a man named Jehoiachin. He took Jehoiachin out of prison, gave him good clothes, and let him eat at the king’s table every day for the rest of his life.
This story reminds us that God’s promises are never lost. Even in the middle of sad and scary times, God was still watching over his people, and he still loved them.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 52:12-13
12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, who stood before the king of Babylon, came into Jerusalem. 13 He burned the LORD’s house, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, even every great house, he burned with fire.
(WEB)
Point out that the city was burned in the sad story, but tell children that God’s plan was bigger than the fire. Ask them to listen for the words about the house of the LORD being burned.
Jeremiah 52:31-34
31 In the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and released him from prison. 32 He spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon, 33 and changed his prison garments. Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life. 34 For his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him by the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
(WEB)
Show children how the story ends with a kindness surprise. Explain that God can bring good things even after a long time of waiting, and that Jehoiachin was given a place of honor.
Jeremiah 52:15-16
15 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the poorest of the people, and the residue of the people who were left in the city, and those who fell away, who fell to the king of Babylon, and the residue of the multitude. 16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vineyard keepers and farmers.
(WEB)
Point out that even when people were taken away, some were left behind to care for the land. Tell children that God still had work for his people to do, even in hard times.
Talk About It
- What do you think Zedekiah could have done differently to follow God?
- How do you feel when a promise is broken, and how does God’s faithfulness make you feel?
- Why do you think the people were sad when the city was burned?
- What is one way you can show God that you trust him, even when things feel hard?
- What do you think it felt like for Jehoiachin to be let out of prison?
Activity Ideas
Paper Sunrise Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have children draw a dark night sky on one side of the paper and a bright sunrise on the other. Encourage them to write or draw a word that reminds them God is faithful every morning, and display the pictures where the family or class can see them.
Freeze and Stand Game
Clear some space in the room and choose one child to be the “king.” Play music while everyone moves around, then stop it suddenly and have children freeze. Call out a faithful action, like “helping a friend,” and children who fit it stand tall, while the others sit quietly to show how faithfulness changes things.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a pen. Have each child write the memory verse on one side and draw a small heart or sun on the other. Encourage them to place the card on the bedside table so they can read it each morning and remember that God keeps his promises every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a sober account of the fall of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon. It shows the real cost of turning away from God, and it also shows that God remained faithful to his people even in judgment. The closing kindness to Jehoiachin points toward hope that God does not abandon his people entirely.
Be careful not to overstate the story to children by making God seem cruel or quick to punish. Keep the focus on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, and explain that the people’s choices had real consequences while God’s promises still held firm.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you keep your promises and love us every morning. Help us to listen to you and make good choices each day. When things feel scary or sad, remind us that you are with us. We trust you. Amen.
