In this lesson, children learn that God wants us to be fair and to help people who are in trouble, not take advantage of them. Nehemiah 5 is a story about a leader who noticed his people were hurting and did something about it. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to be kind and fair, and to help our friends instead of making their troubles worse. When someone is in need, we should help them, not take things from them.
Memory Verse
Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are carrying a heavy basket. Then lift them up high together, as if you are looking up at God. Say the verse slowly while you move your hands, and ask the children to copy you.
The Story: Nehemiah 5 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Judah were living in a hard time. There was not enough food, and many families were very hungry. Some parents had to borrow money to pay the king, and they used their fields, vineyards, and houses to pay back the loan. Everyone was worried about what would happen next.
Some families had nothing left to trade. A few parents had to sell their own children to other people so they could work as servants. This made the whole community very sad. A man named Nehemiah heard the people crying out for help, and he felt deeply upset about what was happening.
Nehemiah was angry, but he did not yell and run away. He stopped and thought carefully about what was right. Then he gathered the rich leaders and the rulers together. He told them, “You are charging your own brothers interest, and that is not good. Shouldn’t you fear God and treat each other fairly?”
The leaders were quiet for a moment. They did not know what to say. Nehemiah reminded them that some of their own people had already been rescued from slavery, and he asked, “Would you really sell your brothers now?” Nehemiah asked the leaders to give back the fields, vineyards, and houses they had taken, and to stop charging interest.
The leaders agreed and promised to do what Nehemiah asked. Nehemiah made them promise with an oath in front of the priests. He even shook out the edge of his robe as a sign of how God would shake out anyone who broke that promise. Everyone said, “Amen,” and the people praised the Lord together.
Nehemiah also showed kindness by not taking the money the governors before him had taken. He did not demand his own food or pay from the people, because he knew they were already struggling. He shared his table with many people and cared for them, and he asked God to remember all the good he had done.
Read It Together
Nehemiah 5:1
Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews.
(WEB)
Point out that the people had a big problem, and they cried out together for help. Ask the children what it feels like when they need help and nobody listens.
Nehemiah 5:12
Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
(WEB)
Show that the leaders said they would do what was right. Explain that when someone admits a mistake and changes, it makes things better for everyone.
Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
(WEB)
Point out that Nehemiah did not take the easy path of getting rich from the people. Explain that he chose to act the way he did because he respected God.
Talk About It
- What did the people in this story need help with, and who did they ask for help?
- How do you think the families felt when they had to give up their fields and houses?
- What did Nehemiah do when he saw that people were being treated unfairly?
- Can you think of a time when you helped a friend who was having a hard day?
- What is one way you can be fair to people this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Fair Table
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask the children to draw a table with plenty of food and then draw several people sitting around it, each with a plate. Talk about how everyone should have enough and be included. Let the children add their own details, like a friend or family member sitting with them.
Shake Out the Robe Game
You will need a large blanket or an old towel. Have the children stand in a circle holding the edges, then gently shake it up and down together. As you do, say a simple phrase about helping others, like “We help each other.” Repeat it a few times and talk about how working together makes the job easier.
Kindness Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper scraps, and a pen. Each day, have the children write or draw one kind thing they did for someone and put it in the jar. At the end of the week, open the jar together and read the notes aloud. Talk about how small acts of kindness add up.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that leaders and people with resources have a serious responsibility to care for those who are struggling. Nehemiah confronts injustice directly, reminds the people of their shared identity and their accountability to God, and models integrity by refusing to profit from the hardship of others. The chapter also shows the value of keeping promises and making things right.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that money or wealth is always wrong, or that rich people are bad. The lesson is about treating others fairly and helping those in need, not about judging people by their possessions. Keep the focus on kindness and honesty rather than on the financial details of the story.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for caring about everyone, even when we feel small. Help us to be fair and kind to our friends and family. When someone needs help, give us courage to do what is right and to care for them the way Nehemiah did. Amen.
