This lesson teaches children that quarreling and pride can hurt people, but God is always with those who trust him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11, and the whole lesson takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach and discuss.
Big Idea
Angry words and proud hearts cause trouble, but God helps people who trust him. When we are tempted to fight over who is important, we can ask God to help us be peaceful instead.
Memory Verse
Judges 12:3
When I saw that you didn’t save me, I put my life in my hand, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me today, to fight against me?”
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand over their heart and then lift both hands up toward the ceiling as they say the verse together. Say it three times, getting a little softer each time, until everyone can say it with their eyes closed.
The Story: Judges 12 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel lived in the land God had given them, and God sent leaders called judges to help them. One of these judges was a brave man named Jephthah. He had fought against the people of Ammon, and God gave Israel the victory. Jephthah was proud of what God had done for his people, and he was ready to celebrate.
But some men from the tribe of Ephraim came to Jephthah with an angry complaint. They said, “Why did you go to fight without calling us? We will burn your house down!” They were jealous and wanted to be the важных ones. Jephthah answered them calmly. He told them that he had called for their help, but they had not come to save him. He had risked his own life, and God had given the victory.
The quarrel grew into a terrible fight. The men of Gilead, led by Jephthah, fought against the men of Ephraim. The Gileadites stood at the river crossings, and they caught the Ephraimites trying to escape. They used a password to tell friend from enemy, and many lives were lost that day. The fighting left many people hurt and sad.
After Jephthah died, God still cared for his people. Several more judges led Israel for many years, including Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Each one served as a leader, and each one eventually died and was buried in his own town. The story shows that people come and go, but God remains faithful to his people through every season.
Notice that Judges 12 is not a story we should copy in the way we treat others. It is a sad reminder of what happens when pride and anger take over our hearts. God wants us to live at peace with one another and to trust him when we feel left out or wronged.
Read It Together
Judges 12:1-2
1 The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!” 2 Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you didn’t save me out of their hand.
(WEB)
Point out how the men of Ephraim came in anger and accused Jephthah without listening first. Ask the children how they feel when someone blames them without hearing their side of the story.
Judges 12:6
Then they said to him, “Now say ‘Shibboleth;’” and he said “Sibboleth”; for he couldn’t manage to pronounce it right: then they seized him, and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell.
(WEB)
Show the children that the fight ended in sadness and loss. Explain that quarrels can grow much bigger than the first angry words, and that peace is always the better choice.
Judges 12:7
Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in the cities of Gilead.
(WEB)
Point out that even after a hard story, God’s plan for his people continued. Help the children see that God keeps working even when people make poor choices.
Talk About It
- What did the men of Ephraim want from Jephthah, and how did they go about asking for it?
- Why do you think it hurts when someone does not invite you to join in something?
- What could the people have done differently to keep their friendship strong?
- How can we tell the difference between being treated unfairly and simply feeling left out?
- What is one way you can make peace with someone this week?
Activity Ideas
Peaceful River Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a river with two sides, one for each group of people. On one side, have them draw something that shows anger, such as a frowning face, and on the other side, something that shows peace, such as a smiling face. Talk about how a bridge of kindness can connect two sides.
Shibboleth Word Game
You will need a few small objects and a bowl. Hide the objects around the room and let the children search for them. When a child finds one, they must say a simple, kind word before they can keep it. Explain that the story of Judges 12 involved a password that caused trouble, while kind words bring people together.
Take-Home Peace Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a pen. Ask each child to write or draw one way they can show kindness at home this week. Encourage them to place the card on the refrigerator or by their bed. Pray together that God would help them remember to choose peace.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how pride, jealousy, and quick anger can split a community apart and cause real loss. It also shows that God does not stop working through his people even when they fail each other. Leaders and friends alike are reminded to speak carefully, listen well, and guard against bitterness.
Avoid suggesting that the events of Judges 12 are a model for how children should handle conflict. The chapter records a violent and sad episode, so keep the focus on the importance of peace and on God’s faithfulness rather than on the details of the battle.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us to be peaceful and kind to our friends and family. When we feel angry or left out, remind us to listen first and to speak gently. Thank you that you are always with us and always faithful to your people. Amen.
