This lesson teaches children that when we ask God for help before we act, He is faithful to lead us, and it also shows what happens when we stop trusting Him fully. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we ask God first and trust Him, He helps us win. When we stop trusting Him fully, we miss out on what He wants for us.
Memory Verse
Judges 1:2
The LORD said, “Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.”
(WEB)
Put your hands together like you are praying, then lift them up high. Each time you say the verse, lift your hands a little higher, as if you are asking God to show you the way first.
The Story: Judges 1 for Kids
After Joshua died, the people of Israel needed a plan for the land God had promised them. They went to God and asked, “Who should go first to fight the Canaanites?” God answered them clearly. He told them that the tribe of Judah should go first, because He had already given the land into their hands.
Judah asked his brother Simeon to come along. Simeon agreed, and the two tribes went out together. God helped them, and they defeated many enemies. In the city of Bezek, they found a king named Adoni-Bezek and fought against him. He ran away, but they caught him and punished him for the cruel things he had done to others.
The people of Judah went on to fight in Jerusalem and other cities. They also took the city of Hebron, and Caleb was given that land, just as Moses had promised. Caleb also said that whoever captured the city of Debir could marry his daughter Achsah. A man named Othniel did it, and Achsah asked her father for springs of water, and he gave them to her.
But not everyone trusted God completely. The tribe of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem. The tribe of Manasseh did not drive out the people in their cities either. Many tribes let the Canaanites stay and live among them. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites made some of them work for them, and that caused trouble later on.
The chapter ends with a sad lesson. When God’s people stopped following Him completely, they settled for less than what God had promised. The land was still theirs, but they did not enjoy all of it.
Read It Together
Judges 1:19
The LORD was with Judah; and drove out the inhabitants of the hill country; for he could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
(WEB)
Point out that God was with Judah, and that He helped them drive out the people of the hill country. Ask children what they think it means that God is with us when we face a hard task.
Judges 1:27
Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its towns, nor Taanach and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
(WEB)
Show children that the tribe of Manasseh did not drive out the people in their cities. Explain that stopping halfway can keep us from receiving what God has given us.
Judges 1:28
When Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and did not utterly drive them out.
(WEB)
Help children see that the people chose to make others work for them rather than obeying God completely. Talk about how small choices to hold back can grow into bigger problems.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Israel do before they went into battle, and why was that a good thing?
- How did God show the tribe of Judah that He was with them?
- Why do you think the tribe of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites?
- What is one thing you can ask God about before you start a new task this week?
- What can we learn from the people who stopped before finishing what God wanted them to do?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Map of the Promised Land
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Draw a simple outline of the land, then mark places from the story like Jerusalem, Hebron, and Bezek. Let children color each area in a different color for each tribe. Talk about which places the tribes conquered and which ones they left unfinished.
Follow the Leader Obedience Game
You will need an open space and a leader. The leader calls out a movement, like jumping or clapping, and the group must wait to be told before they move. Explain that the people of Israel waited to ask God before they acted. Afterward, talk about how waiting and listening helps us follow God well.
Take-Home Prayer Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Ask children to write one thing they want to ask God about before they start a task, and place the slip in the jar. Encourage families to pull out one slip each evening and pray about it together. This helps children build the habit of asking God first.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God gives His people clear direction and real promises, and that their faithfulness matters in how fully those promises are realized. The chapter also reveals how partial obedience can leave God’s people with unfinished work and lasting struggles. Adults can see that God remains faithful even when His people fall short.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God only helps those who obey perfectly. The chapter shows that God is faithful and present, even when people are not. Keep the focus on God’s character and the value of trusting Him, rather than suggesting that outcomes depend entirely on our performance.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for being with us and for showing us the way. Help us to ask You first before we begin, and help us to trust You all the way to the end. Give us courage to finish what You have given us to do. Amen.
