In this lesson, children learn that God gives the victory, and that we should never take credit that belongs to Him. The lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wins the battle, so we give Him the glory and not ourselves. When we are proud, we can forget Him. God is the one who helps us stay faithful.
Memory Verse
Judges 6:12
The LORD’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
(WEB)
Hold both hands up like a strong tower, then slowly lower them as you say “the Lord is with you.” Ask the children to copy the motion together so the words stick. Repeat it three times before you move on.
The Story: Judges 8 for Kids
After Gideon won a big battle against the Midianites, some men from the tribe of Ephraim were upset. They had not been called to join the fight. They came to Gideon and complained loudly, and they were angry with him.
Gideon answered them kindly. He reminded them that God had handed the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, over to them. Gideon said that the men of Ephraim had done better than he had. Their anger calmed down after he spoke.
Gideon and his three hundred men kept chasing the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. They were very tired and hungry. Gideon asked the people of Succoth and Penuel for bread, but they refused to help his army. Gideon told them that he would come back and deal with them.
Gideon chased the kings all the way to a camp called Karkor. He surprised their army and captured both kings. Then he returned home and taught the people of Succoth a hard lesson about how they had treated his tired soldiers. He also broke down the tower at Penuel.
Later, Gideon asked his son Jether to kill the two kings, but the boy was too scared to do it. Gideon finished the job himself. The people of Israel then asked him to be their ruler, but Gideon said that God alone should rule over them. Gideon died, and the people forgot the Lord and went back to worshiping idols.
Read It Together
Judges 8:2-3
2 He said to them, “What have I now done in comparison with you? Isn’t the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God has delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb! What was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
(WEB)
Point out how Gideon answers the angry men with humility. He does not brag about himself. He points to what God did through them and gives them the credit.
Judges 8:22-23
22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you, and your son, and your son’s son also; for you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.” 23 Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. The LORD shall rule over you.”
(WEB)
Show the children that the people wanted Gideon to be their king. Gideon refused, saying that the Lord should rule over them. Ask why he might have said no to the honor.
Judges 8:33-34
33 As soon as Gideon was dead, the children of Israel turned again, and played the prostitute following the Baals, and made Baal Berith their god. 34 The children of Israel didn’t remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies on every side…
(WEB)
Explain that after Gideon died, the people forgot God who had saved them. Help children see how quickly we can forget God’s kindness when we stop remembering Him.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the men of Ephraim were angry at Gideon?
- How did Gideon respond to them, and what can we learn from his answer?
- What did the people want to give Gideon, and why did he say no?
- What can you do this week to remember God’s help in your life?
- What happened to the people when they forgot the Lord?
Activity Ideas
Crown of Thanks Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and tape. Have each child cut a strip of paper long enough to wrap around their head. Let them decorate it with words or pictures of things God has given them. Tape the ends together and let them wear their crown while they tell the class one thing they are thankful for.
Tower Tumble Game
Stack paper cups or blocks into a tall tower. Explain that God is the strong tower who protects His people. Let the children take turns knocking the tower down with a soft ball, then rebuild it together. Remind them that only God can truly make us secure, and that we give Him the glory for every win.
Thank You Jar at Home
You will need a jar, slips of paper, and a pen. Ask your family to write one thing God has done for them each day and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes aloud together during dinner. This helps children practice giving God credit for His kindness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how easily pride and forgetfulness creep into the lives of people God has rescued. Gideon was a humble man who gave God the credit, but his people later turned away from the Lord. The passage calls us to remember God’s faithfulness and to resist the urge to make heroes of ourselves.
Be careful not to suggest that children should fear being punished for mistakes in the same way the people of Succoth were. Focus instead on the simple truth that God is faithful and we should thank Him often.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for helping us win every battle we face. Help us give You the credit and never forget Your kindness. Keep our hearts humble and remind us to trust You every day. Amen.
