In this lesson, children learn that God warns us before trouble comes and invites us to walk on the good path with him. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God loves his people so much that he warns them when they are heading the wrong way, and he always invites them back to the good path where they can find rest.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 6:16
The LORD says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
(WEB)
Stand up tall like a signpost, point with one arm to the left and then to the right, and finally walk in place slowly as you say the words together. Let the walking motion remind children that God asks us to keep walking on his good way.
The Story: Jeremiah 6 for Kids
A long time ago, God chose a man named Jeremiah to speak for him. The people of Judah lived in the city of Jerusalem, and many of them had stopped listening to God. They were doing wrong things, and some of them were cheating and lying even though they were supposed to be God’s own people.
God saw what was happening, and he sent Jeremiah to warn them. Jeremiah told them to run for safety, because trouble was coming from the north like a storm. He told them to blow the trumpet and raise a signal so everyone would know to pay attention.
God said through Jeremiah, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths. Where is the good way? Walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” God wanted his people to go back to the path they used to walk, the path of trusting and obeying him.
But the people did not want to listen. They said, “We will not walk in it.” They did not want to hear the trumpet or the warning. Even though God sent watchmen to call out to them, they covered their ears and kept going their own way.
God was sad about this. He did not want to punish his people, but he had to tell them the truth about what their choices would bring. Still, God never stopped calling them back, because he is patient and loves his people very much.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 6:16-17
16 The LORD says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ 17 I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’
(WEB)
Point out the two things God asks his people to do: look for the old paths and listen for the trumpet. Ask children what they think helps them stop and listen when someone is calling them back to something good.
Jeremiah 6:8
Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.”
(WEB)
Explain that God told Jerusalem to be instructed, which means to learn and accept correction. Help children see that God’s warnings come from love, because he does not want anyone to be harmed.
Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
(WEB)
Show children that God says the people did not listen to his words and rejected his law. Remind them that listening to God means taking his words seriously in what we say and do each day.
Talk About It
- What do you think it feels like when someone warns you that you are about to make a mistake?
- Why do you think the people of Jerusalem did not want to listen to Jeremiah?
- What are some of the old paths God has shown us in the Bible that lead to good things?
- How can you tell when God is calling you to stop and listen to him?
- What is one way you can choose to walk on the good path this week?
Activity Ideas
Make a Signpost Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a signpost with two arrows, one labeled “Good Path” and one labeled “Wrong Way.” Encourage them to draw a small trumpet at the top of the signpost to remind them that God calls us to listen. Let them color their drawings and show them to the group.
Follow the Good Path Game
You will need masking tape or yarn to make a winding path on the floor, plus a few chairs placed off the path. Children walk along the path while you call out “Good path!” and they keep walking. When you call “Trumpet!” they stop and listen for your next instruction. This game helps children practice stopping, listening, and returning to the right way.
Take-Home Trumpet Reminder
You will need a paper towel tube, a strip of colored paper, and tape. Help each child decorate their tube with the words “Listen to God” and send it home with them. Encourage families to talk about one way they heard God’s voice during the week. This takes only a few minutes and gives the family a simple reminder to listen together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is both holy and loving. He warns people about the consequences of turning away from him, yet he keeps inviting them back to the old paths of faith and obedience. The chapter also reminds us that rest for our souls comes from walking with God rather than from our own plans.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God sends bad things as punishment for every small mistake. Keep the focus on God’s patient warning and his invitation to come back. Let children know that God always wants to bring us home.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for loving us enough to warn us when we are going the wrong way. Help us listen when you call, and show us the good path where we can find rest. Help us walk with you every day. Amen.
