Malachi 2 teaches children that God wants people to keep their promises and to honor him with their whole hearts, especially the people he has called to lead. This lesson is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps his promises, so we should keep ours, and we should always give him our best. When we are faithful and kind, we help others love God too.
Memory Verse
Malachi 2:6
The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall with both hands on their hearts, then slowly open their hands outward like a book being shared. Say the verse together while they make the motion, and repeat it three times.
The Story: Malachi 2 for Kids
Long ago, God sent a messenger named Malachi to speak to the priests in Israel. The priests were supposed to lead the people in worshiping God and teach them his ways. But these priests had stopped taking God seriously, and they were not giving him their best.
God was very sad about this. He reminded the priests of a promise he had made with a man named Levi. Long before, Levi had honored God, and he had taught the people the truth with his lips. He walked with God in peace and helped many people turn away from doing wrong.
But now the priests had turned away from that good path. They were not teaching the truth, and they were leading others into trouble. God told them, “You have turned away from the path.” He wanted them to come back to him with their whole hearts.
The people of Israel were also breaking faith with one another. Some were treating their own family members unfairly, and some were breaking their marriage promises. God said that he hates it when people are unfaithful to those they promised to love. He asked them to take care with their hearts and to be faithful.
The people even said that God did not seem to care about justice anymore. But God had not forgotten his promises. He wanted his people to remember that he is faithful, and to be faithful too.
Read It Together
Malachi 2:4-5
4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant may be with Levi,” says the LORD of Armies. 5 “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in awe of my name.
(WEB)
Point out that God made a covenant, which is a special promise, with Levi. God kept his side of that promise by giving Levi life and peace, and Levi was reverent toward God. Ask the children what it looks like to keep a promise.
Malachi 2:10
Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
(WEB)
Show the children that all people share one Father, who is God. Explain that because we belong to the same family, we should treat each other kindly and fairly, not unfairly.
Malachi 2:16
For I hate divorce”, says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with violence!” says the LORD of Armies. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don’t deal treacherously.
(WEB)
Explain that God hates divorce and violence because they break the trust people are supposed to have. Help the children understand that God wants us to be gentle and faithful with the people we love.
Talk About It
- What is a promise you have made to someone, and how did you keep it?
- Why do you think God wanted the priests to teach the truth carefully?
- How can you show respect to the people in your family every day?
- What does it mean to be faithful to someone?
- When someone is unkind to you, what is one way you can respond God’s way?
Activity Ideas
Promise Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a heart on the paper and cut it out. Ask them to write or draw one promise they will keep this week, such as helping a sibling or saying kind words, and tape it somewhere they will see it each day.
Faithful Path Game
You will need painter’s tape or chalk and a few cones or small objects. Lay out a winding path across the floor and have the children walk it carefully while balancing a small object on their heads, like a book on the head. Explain that staying on the right path takes care, just as Malachi taught the people to stay faithful to God’s ways.
Take-Home Kindness Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a stapler or ribbon. Ask each child to write one kind promise on the card, such as “I will say thank you to my mom this week.” Have them give the card to someone at home and ask that person to help remind them to keep their promise.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Malachi 2 is a strong reminder that God takes faithfulness seriously. Leaders are called to teach truth carefully, and every believer is called to keep covenant promises in marriage, family, and community. The chapter also shows that God is patient but not indifferent, and that he calls people back to himself.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the harsh language about curses and dung. Focus on God’s love and his desire for faithfulness, rather than frightening the children with the judgment parts of the chapter.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for being faithful to all your promises. Help us to keep our promises too, and to honor you with our whole hearts. Help us to be kind and fair to our families and friends. Thank you for loving us always. Amen.
