This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises even when his people forget him, and that they can remember what he has done and come back to him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a short story, a few Bible readings, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God never forgets his promises to us, even when we forget him. When we remember who he is, we can turn back to him and trust him again.
Memory Verse
Judges 2:1
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.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are receiving a gift. Then slowly bring them to your heart. Say the words together as you do the motion, so children connect God’s promises with a gift they can hold close.
The Story: Judges 2 for Kids
God had brought the people of Israel out of Egypt and led them into the land he had promised their fathers. He had told them, “I will never break my covenant with you.” God kept his word, and the people lived in the land for many years while Joshua and the older leaders were still alive. They had seen God do great things for them, and they remembered.
Then Joshua died, and so did the leaders who had seen everything God had done. A new group of people grew up who did not know the Lord or remember what he had done for Israel. They began to worship Baal and other false gods, the gods of the people living around them. The people turned away from God, and God was not pleased with them.
When the people were in trouble, they cried out, and God raised up judges to rescue them from their enemies. But the people did not listen to the judges, and when each judge died, they went back to their old ways. They stopped listening to God and kept doing what they wanted. It made God sad to see them suffer, and his anger burned against their sin.
God spoke to the people through his messenger and reminded them of his covenant. He told them that because they had broken it, he would not drive out every enemy from the land. He wanted to see whether his people would walk in his ways, as their fathers had done. The people wept when they heard this, and they called that place Bochim, which means “weepers.”
This story shows that God is faithful even when his people are not. The people forgot him, but God did not forget them. He kept his promise and gave them chances to come back to him.
Read It Together
Judges 2:1-2
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?
(WEB)
Point out that God reminds the people of everything he did for them. Ask the children what they think the people should have remembered. Help them see that God’s kindness comes first, before any of the people’s choices.
Judges 2:10-12
10 After all that generation were gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them, who didn’t know the LORD, nor the work which he had done for Israel. 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.
(WEB)
Show how a new generation grew up without knowing God’s works. Explain that each person needs to learn about God for themselves, and that families and teachers help children learn who God is.
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 the people, and that God’s heart grieved when they were suffering. Tell the children that God cares deeply when his people are hurting.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God has done for you that you want to remember?
- How can we remind ourselves of who God is when we are busy or tempted to forget him?
- Why do you think the new generation did not know about God’s works?
- How did God show he still loved his people even when they turned away?
- What is one way you can help a younger friend learn about God’s faithfulness?
Activity Ideas
Remembrance Stones Craft
You will need small smooth stones or paper circles, markers, and a small bowl. Have each child write or draw one thing God has done for them on a stone. Explain that Israel’s people sometimes set up stones as reminders of God’s works. Put the stones in the bowl and keep them where the family or class can see them each week.
Forget and Remember Game
You will need a few small objects and a blanket or towel. Place the objects on a table and let the children look at them for thirty seconds. Then cover them and ask the children to name as many as they can remember. Talk about how easy it is to forget things, and how important it is to keep reminding ourselves of God’s goodness.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need index cards or paper, crayons, and tape. Have each child draw a picture of something God has done and write the memory verse at the bottom. Encourage them to tape the card somewhere they will see it each morning, such as the bathroom mirror or the fridge. Ask them to share what they remembered during the week.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God’s people can drift away from him when they forget his works and stop passing on what they know. It also shows God’s patience, since he keeps his promises and gives his people chances to return. Adults can see in this chapter a call to remember God’s faithfulness and to teach the next generation about him.
Avoid suggesting that children are responsible for every struggle they face, or that God’s blessings always follow obedience in a simple, predictable way. Children may take that too literally. Instead, focus on God’s faithfulness and his desire for his people to return to him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for keeping your promises to us, even when we forget you. Help us remember all the good things you have done, and help us listen to your voice every day. Teach us to tell others about you so that they can know you too. Amen.
