For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
After remembering how good God is, the people want to do something about it. So they make a big promise — and they sign their names to it.
Today's Story
The people loved God so much that they wanted to make Him a promise. Not a tiny “maybe” promise — a big, real one they would actually keep.
So they wrote it down on paper. And then, one by one, the leaders came and signed their names. Nehemiah signed first. Then the helpers in the temple. Then more and more people, until the paper was full of names. They were all saying, “Count me in! I promise too!”
What did they promise? They promised to follow God's good ways and not copy the wrong things they saw other people doing.
They promised to take good care of God's house, the temple, so the helpers would have what they needed. Everyone would bring a little something — some grain, some oil, some money — so the work could keep going.
And they promised to rest on the special day God gave them, and not skip it.
It was a happy promise. The whole city said together, “We will not forget about God's house.”
A Big Word
Talk About It
- Has anyone ever made you a promise and kept it? How did that feel?
- The people signed their names to show they really meant it. What is one good thing you could promise God you will try to do?
- Everyone brought a little something to help take care of God's house. What is something you could share to help others?