This lesson teaches children that God wants us to act fairly, show mercy, and walk humbly with him. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God does not want big gifts from us as much as he wants us to be fair, kind, and humble in how we live with him every day.
Memory Verse
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
(WEB)
Teach the children to make three motions as you say the verse. Hold one hand flat and move it side to side for “act justly,” place a hand over the heart for “love mercy,” and bow your head slightly for “walk humbly.”
The Story: Micah 6 for Kids
God had a special people called Israel, and he loved them very much. He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt and given them leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to guide them. But the people had forgotten how good God had been to them. So God called them to stand up and listen, as if they were in a courtroom with the mountains as the judges.
God asked his people a question: “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!” He wanted them to think about how faithful he had been. He reminded them of the long journey from Egypt and of the way he had kept his promises.
Then a worried voice asked a question. “How shall I come before the LORD?” the person wondered. “Should I bring burnt offerings? Should I bring calves, rams, or even rivers of oil?” The person was trying hard to please God with gifts. But God had a surprising answer for them.
God said that he had already shown everyone what was good. He did not want piles of gifts. He wanted people to act justly, which means being fair to others, to love mercy, which means being kind and forgiving, and to walk humbly with him, which means remembering that we need him every day.
The story ends with a sad warning. God’s people had been cheating each other with dishonest scales and telling lies. They had been unfair in the marketplace. Because of these wrong choices, God said that trouble would come to them. Their hard work would not bring the good results they hoped for.
Read It Together
Micah 6:1-2
1 Listen now to what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say. 2 Hear, you mountains, the LORD’s controversy, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
(WEB)
Point out that God invited the mountains and hills to listen. Explain that God wanted his people to know he was speaking to them personally, and that he cared enough to call them into a conversation.
Micah 6:3-4
3 My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me! 4 For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
(WEB)
Show the children how God asked his people a loving question about what he had done for them. Point out the words “I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,” and talk about how God remembers his people when they forget him.
Micah 6:11-12
11 Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights? 12 Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.
(WEB)
Explain that God noticed the dishonest scales and deceitful speech. Help children see that God cares about honesty in small things, like how we treat people when we buy, sell, speak, and share.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can be fair to someone in your home or at school this week?
- Can you think of a time when someone showed you mercy, and how did that feel?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to listen to him instead of just bringing gifts?
- What does it look like to walk humbly with God when you are feeling proud?
- How can you remember that God is always with you during your day?
Activity Ideas
Scale of Fairness Craft
Give each child a paper plate, two paper cups, and some string. Help them tape the cups to opposite sides of the plate and hang it from a stick or yardstick. Let them draw a happy face inside one cup and a kind action inside the other. Talk about how God wants our choices to balance with fairness and love.
Mercy and Humility Game
Play a simple game of “Follow the Leader” where the leader calls out one of the three actions from the memory verse. Children move in a way that matches the action: a fair stride for “act justly,” a gentle reach for “love mercy,” and a humble bow for “walk humbly.” Keep the game lively and let every child take a turn leading.
Take-Home Verse Card
Give each child an index card and crayons or markers. Ask them to write or draw the three parts of Micah 6:8 on the card. Encourage them to bring it home and show a family member the three motions. Ask the children to share one way they plan to act justly, love mercy, or walk humbly at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage reminds us that God is not impressed by religious activity that is cold or dishonest. He asks his people to live in a way that reflects his own character, with justice, faithful love, and a humble heart before him. The prophet Micah spoke to people who were trying to buy God’s favor while treating others badly.
With children, avoid overstating the story’s harsh warnings. Keep the focus on God’s loving invitation and the simple way children can practice fairness, kindness, and humility in their daily lives. Make sure they understand that God’s love comes first and that he helps us do what is right.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for loving us and for showing us what is good. Help us act fairly, show mercy to others, and walk humbly with you every day. Remind us that you are always near, and help us listen to your voice. Amen.
