For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
God cares deeply about how leaders treat people — especially people who can't stand up for themselves.
Today's Story
God gave Jeremiah a message for the kings of the land. And the message was about what really makes a king good.
God said, “Be fair. Help the people who are treated unkindly. Take care of children who have no parents. Be a friend to people who are far from home and people who are poor.” That is what a good leader does.
There had once been a king named Josiah who did those things. He cared about people who needed help, and he tried to do what was right. And you know what? Things went well for him. God said, “That is what it means to truly know Me.”
But the kings who came after Josiah were different. They only thought about themselves. They wanted big fancy palaces and beautiful rooms painted bright colors. They did not stop to help the people who were hurting.
God was sad about that. A shiny palace does not make a king good. Caring for people does.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- God said a good leader takes care of people who need help. Who is someone you could help this week who can't easily help themselves?
- The later kings only cared about fancy palaces. Why do you think God cares more about kindness than about fancy stuff?
- You don't have to be a king to be a leader. How can you be a kind and fair leader at home or at school?