In this lesson, children learn that God’s people turned away from Him, yet God still cares so much that Jeremiah cried for them. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God loves His people so much that He wants them to come back to Him. Even when they go the wrong way, God is still close, and He still wants to help them.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 8:22
Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then isn’t the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
(WEB)
Put your hand over your heart, then slowly open your hands out in front of you, like a gift being given. Say the verse together while you move, and ask the children to do the same.
The Story: Jeremiah 8 for Kids
God gave the prophet Jeremiah a hard job. He had to tell the people of Judah and Jerusalem that they had walked away from God. They had been worshiping the sun, the moon, and the stars instead of the one true God. Jeremiah loved these people, and he did not want to tell them bad news. But God asked him to speak anyway.
God asked Jeremiah a question about the birds. The stork, the dove, and the swallow all know when it is time to fly home. They do not get lost. But God’s people did not know the rules God had given them. They had forgotten how to come home to Him.
Some leaders said, “Peace, peace,” but there was no real peace. They were not sorry for the wrong things they had done. They did not even feel ashamed. They were not telling the truth, and they were not making things right.
Jeremiah was very sad. He said he was hurt for his people and that his heart felt heavy inside him. He asked, “Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no doctor there?” He wanted his people to be healed, and he knew only God could heal them.
Jeremiah was not happy when the people were in trouble. He cared about them. Even while he delivered hard words, his heart showed how much God wanted them to come back home.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 8:4-5
4 “Moreover you shall tell them, ‘The LORD says: “‘Do men fall, and not rise up again? Does one turn away, and not return? 5 Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual backsliding? They cling to deceit. They refuse to return.
(WEB)
Point out that God asked the people a question. When we fall down, we can get back up. Explain that God wants His people to turn back to Him, just like we can say sorry and come back to a friend.
Jeremiah 8:7
Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times. The turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people don’t know the LORD’s law.
(WEB)
Point out the stork, the dove, and the swallow. These birds know exactly when to fly home. Ask the children what it would be like to not know where home is, and talk about how God gives us His rules to guide us home to Him.
Jeremiah 8:18-19
18 Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! My heart is faint within me. 19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: “Isn’t the LORD in Zion? Isn’t her King in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their engraved images, and with foreign idols?”
(WEB)
Point out that Jeremiah was sad and his heart was heavy. Show the children that even grown-up prophets felt sad when people hurt. It is okay to feel sad for others, and God cares about those feelings too.
Talk About It
- What did the stork, dove, and swallow know how to do that God’s people forgot?
- How did Jeremiah feel about the people, and why do you think he felt that way?
- What is one way we can say sorry and turn back to God when we make a wrong choice?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to come home to Him?
- When you see someone hurting, what is one kind thing you could do for them?
Activity Ideas
Bird Coloring Page
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Draw a simple bird on each child’s paper, such as a stork, dove, or swallow. Ask the children to color the bird and write the word “Home” at the top. As they color, talk about how the birds always know the way home, and how God’s love helps us find our way back to Him.
Follow the Birds Game
You will need a open space and a few soft objects like pillows or stuffed animals. Set the objects around the room as “home” spots. Ask the children to flap their arms like birds and fly to a home spot when you call out a name. Each time they land, remind them that God always knows where His children belong.
Heart Reminder Card
You will need cardstock, scissors, and a marker. Cut out a heart shape for each child and ask them to write or draw one way they can come back to God this week. Let them take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, like on the fridge or by their bed. Encourage them to share it with a family member.
Teacher Notes
Jeremiah 8 shows that God’s people had turned away from Him and had lost their sense of right and wrong. Their leaders said everything was fine when it was not. Adults can see in this chapter how easy it is to drift from God and how much He longs for His people to return. God’s grief over their condition reveals His deep love.
Avoid overstating to children that God is angry and will destroy people. The chapter does describe judgment, but for young children the main point is God’s love and His desire for people to come home. Keep the focus on coming back to God rather than on frightening details.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us even when we go the wrong way. Help us remember to come back to You when we make mistakes. Thank You that You always know the way home. Help us care for people who are hurting, just like Jeremiah did. Amen.
