In this lesson, children learn that God’s people made a promise to love and follow Him, and that they kept that promise together. This lesson is for children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God’s people can choose to promise to follow Him, and they can help each other keep that promise. When we keep God’s rules with our friends and family, we grow closer to Him together.
Memory Verse
Nehemiah 10:29
They joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes…
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand on their heart and then lift it up high, as if they are making a promise to God. Say the first few words together, then have them repeat the verse back to you while they make the motion.
The Story: Nehemiah 10 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people had come back home to Jerusalem after being away for many years. The walls of their city had been rebuilt, and now they wanted to make things right with God. Their leader was a man named Nehemiah, and he gathered everyone together to hear God’s law read out loud.
Many people wrote their names on a list to show they were serious about the promise. There were priests, helpers who served in the temple, leaders of the families, and many other people from all over the land. Each person who signed said, in their own way, that they wanted to walk with God and keep His commands.
The people also promised to do some special things. They said they would not marry people who did not love God, and they would not buy or sell things on the Sabbath, which was God’s special day of rest. They even agreed to give a little money each year to help take care of the house of God.
The people also promised to bring their best gifts to God. They brought the first part of their harvest, the first of their animals, and the first of their children to the temple. Everyone helped by bringing gifts to the priests so the work of God’s house could keep going.
Imagine how the families felt as they made these promises together. They were not doing it alone. Everyone was helping one another to keep their word, and they were saying, “We will not forsake the house of our God.”
Read It Together
Nehemiah 10:1
Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah…
(WEB)
Point out that the people wrote their names down, which showed that they were serious about keeping their promise. Ask the children what it means to sign your name to something important.
Nehemiah 10:30
And that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons…
(WEB)
Explain that the people promised to keep their families strong by following God’s ways. Help children see that choosing good friends and following God’s rules is part of loving Him.
Nehemiah 10:39
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the wave offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, to the rooms, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the priests who minister, with the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not forsake the house of our God.
(WEB)
Show the children that the people ended by saying they would not forget the house of God. Point out that caring for God’s house means helping the people who serve there and bringing our best to Him.
Talk About It
- What is something you have promised to do, and how did you keep that promise?
- Why do you think the people wrote their names on the list?
- How can your family help one another keep God’s rules?
- What is one good gift you can bring to God, even if you are young?
- How does it feel to know God helps us keep our promises?
Activity Ideas
Promise Card Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child draw a picture of something they want to promise God, such as being kind or helping at home. Let them sign their name at the bottom, just as the people in the story did, and display the cards together on a wall.
Hand-in-Hand Promise Game
Gather the children in a circle and have them stand close together. Ask them to take turns saying one promise to God, such as “I will be thankful,” and then all do a special motion like lifting their hands high. Repeat the game a few times so the children remember that promises are kept together.
Take-Home Promise Jar
Give each child a small jar or cup and some slips of paper. Ask them to write one way they will follow God this week and place it in the jar. At home, the family can read the slips together at dinner and talk about how they kept their promises.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s people are called to commit themselves fully to Him, both personally and as a community. The promises in this chapter reveal that faithfulness to God shapes our relationships, our use of time, and how we care for the worship of God. Adults can see that such commitment is both personal and shared within the body of believers.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that keeping promises earns God’s love or that they must perfectly follow every rule to be accepted. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His grace, and help children understand that He helps them keep their word.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for helping us make promises to You and for keeping us strong when we try. Help us to follow You with our families and friends, and to bring our best gifts to You each day. Teach us to be faithful, and help us to remember that we belong to You. Amen.
