For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
God gave His people a year of rest and a year of fresh starts — because He loves rest and brand-new beginnings.
Today's Story
God had a wonderful idea for His people. “Work the fields for six years,” He said. “But every seventh year, let the land rest. Don't plant or harvest. Let the ground take a long, happy nap.”
God promised to give them plenty of food during that resting year. They could trust Him to take care of them.
And then God gave them something even more special. After seven sets of seven years came a year He called Jubilee — a year of fresh starts. Trumpets blew all across the land!
In that year, anyone who owed money didn't have to worry anymore — their debts were let go. Anyone who had to sell their family land got it back. Everyone who had been working hard to pay off what they owed got to go home free.
It was like the whole land got a giant do-over. God wanted no one stuck forever. He loves rest. He loves freedom. And He loves giving His people a brand-new beginning.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- When do you feel most rested and happy? What helps your body and heart feel rested?
- God let the land rest and trusted Him to provide food. Why do you think rest is a gift from God?
- In the Jubilee year, everyone got a fresh start. Is there something you wish you could start over and do again? How does it feel that God loves fresh starts?