In this lesson, children learn that God keeps his promises even when his people forget him, and that turning back to God always brings them home. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God always keeps his promises, even when we forget him. When we turn back to him, he is ready to help us again.
Memory Verse
Judges 2:16
The LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.
(WEB)
Teach children to cup both hands together and lift them up slowly, like a bowl being raised to God. As they say the words, have them lift their hands higher, showing that God lifts his people up when they call on him.
The Story: Judges 2 for Kids
Long ago, God led his people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. He brought them into a good land that he had promised to their parents and grandparents. Before he did, he told them, “I will never break my promise to you.” He also told them not to make friends with the people in that land who worshiped idols.
The Israelites did not listen. They made deals with the people around them and bowed down to their false gods. Their hearts drifted far away from the God who had rescued them. God was sad, and he let their enemies come and take things from them. The people were very scared and very sorry.
Then God raised up leaders called judges. These judges rescued the people from their enemies. But when a judge died, the people went back to their old ways. They worshiped idols again, and they were even worse than before. God felt sad about this too, because he loved his people.
Joshua, the leader before the judges, had been a faithful servant of God. After he died, a new group of people grew up who did not really know God. They had not seen the wonderful things God had done. So they did what was wrong in God’s eyes.
Even so, God did not stop loving his people. He wanted to see whether they would walk in his ways, and he was ready to welcome them back whenever they turned around. God is always faithful, even when his people wander.
Read It Together
Judges 2:1-3
1 The LORD’s angel came up from Gilgal to Bochim. He said, “I brought you out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to give your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You shall break down their altars.’ But you have not listened to my voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God reminded the people of his promise. Ask the children to notice that God said, “I will never break my covenant with you.” Explain that God keeps his word even when people do not keep theirs.
Judges 2:11-13
11 The children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and served the Baals. 12 They abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 They abandoned the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
(WEB)
Show the children how quickly the people forgot God and started serving other gods. Explain that forgetting God happens easily, and that the story shows why we must keep God close in our hearts every day.
Judges 2:18
When the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved the LORD because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them.
(WEB)
Point out that God was with the judges and saved his people. Explain that God felt sad about their suffering and cared deeply for them. This shows children that God’s heart is tender toward those who are hurting.
Talk About It
- What is one promise that someone has kept to you, and how did it make you feel?
- Why do you think the Israelites forgot about God so quickly after he helped them?
- What are some things that can take our attention away from God today?
- How did God show that he still loved his people, even when they went the wrong way?
- What is one way you can remember God’s kindness during your week?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Promise Keeper Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of something God has promised, such as being with us always. Let them add a small heart or a rainbow to remind them of God’s faithfulness. Give them time to share their drawings with the group.
Follow the Leader Game
You will need an open space and a few chairs. Let one child be the leader and have everyone copy their movements. Then have the leader sit down, and say that people sometimes stop following God. Explain how God always calls us back, and let everyone come back to follow the leader again.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a magnet or tape. Write “God keeps his promises” on each card and ask children to decorate it. Encourage them to put it on the fridge or by their bed so they can see it every day. Remind parents to read it together during the week.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that the people’s cycle of forgetting and returning reveals a deeper truth about God. He is faithful even when we are not, and he patiently calls us back to himself. For adults, it is a reminder that our own hearts can drift, and God’s mercy is always ready to receive us.
Avoid overstating the harsher parts of this passage to children, such as the idea that God let enemies remain in the land as a test. Focus instead on God’s love and his desire for his people to return to him, which is the heart of the story.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for keeping your promises to us, even when we forget you. Help us to remember your kindness every day, and turn our hearts back to you when we wander. Please stay close to us this week and always. Amen.
