For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
King Amaziah did some good things — but only part of his heart belonged to God. Let's see what happened.
Today's Story
Amaziah became the new king of Judah. He did many things that were right. But the Bible says something a little sad: he did them “not with his whole heart.” Part of him followed God, and part of him did not.
One day Amaziah got his army ready for a battle. A man of God came and told him, “Trust God, not a big army. God can give you the win.” Amaziah listened, and God helped him win!
But then Amaziah did a very strange thing. He brought home the fake gods of the people he had just beaten. Wooden statues that could not see or hear or help anyone — and he bowed down to them! God sent a helper to ask, “Why are you praying to gods that could not even save their own people?”
Amaziah had stopped listening. His heart grew proud, and trouble came. If only he had given God all his heart, the whole way through.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- When you help with a chore, is it easy to do it only halfway? What does doing it with your whole heart look like?
- Amaziah listened to God once, then stopped. Why is it important to keep listening to God, not just one time?
- What is one way you can give God your whole heart today, not just a little piece?