King Josiah 3-6 Lesson

Kids' Corner 3-6 Grade Children's Church / Sunday School Lesson

Title: Young King Josiah: Leading Your Generation Today

Verse: 2 Kings 22:1-2, “Josiah was eight years old when he became king… He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”

Objective: Students will explore the story of King Josiah and analyze how he led a spiritual revival through his actions and obedience to God's Word. They will learn that leadership is not determined by age, and they can influence their peers, family, and schools to follow God today.

Spark

Influence & Obstacle

Directions: Set up a simple obstacle course using chairs, cones, or tape lines on the floor. Choose one student to be the "Leader" and one to be the "Follower" (blindfolded or eyes closed). Have the Leader verbally guide the Follower through the obstacle course while other kids shout distracting directions from the sidelines.

Transition: In that game, staying on course took focus. It’s easy to get off track when everyone around you is yelling in different directions. Did you know that when King Josiah took the throne, the entire nation of Judah had gone off course? People were worshiping idols and completely ignoring God's laws. But Josiah made a choice not to turn 'to the right or to the left.' He listened to God and completely changed the direction of his nation. Even though he was around your age—or even younger—he became one of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history.

Scripture

Read: Open Bibles together to 2 Kings 22:1-2. Have a student volunteer read the passage aloud to the class.

Explain:

Josiah became the king of Judah—a country of hundreds of thousands of people—when he was only 8 years old. (Hold up a map showing the Kingdom of Judah in contrast to surrounding nations).
Imagine being in charge of an entire country before you even finish elementary school! His father and grandfather were terrible kings who led the people away from God. Josiah didn't have a good role model in his family, but he chose a different path.
When Josiah turned 26, workers found the lost Scroll of the Law (the Bible) buried under dust in the damaged Temple. When Josiah heard God's Word read, he didn't ignore it—he tore his clothes in grief, repented, and immediately put God’s commands into action. He cleaned out the idols, restored the Temple, and led the entire nation back to God.
You don't have to wait until you are an adult, graduate high school, or get a job to make an impact for God's Kingdom. 1 Peter 2:9 calls you a "royal priesthood." God can use your character, courage, and choices to influence your friends, sports teams, and family right now.

Discuss:

Josiah did what was right even when everyone before him did what was wrong. When is it hardest for someone your age to take a stand for what's right?
- When everyone else is participating and you feel like you stick out – Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Josiah didn’t just say he loved God—he took action (cleared out idols, repaired the temple, read Scripture to the people). What are some "idols" or distractions kids your age need to clear out to put God first?
- An idol is anything that takes the first place in your attention before the Lord. It can be sports, friends, wanting a new toy or bike, watching TV, etc... These things by themselves are not bad, but when you are too busy with sports practice, or hanging out with your friends to spend time with God in prayer or read your Bible – then it’s an idol. We can’t say “I love God” but my actions don’t match. – 1 John 3:18, Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. Hebrews 12:1, ...Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
How can you be a spiritual leader at school, on a team, or with your friends?
- Lead by example – put God first. When there’s a difficult test or sports match – pray and show that you trust God to help you. King Josiah was a leader because he wanted to do what was right according to God. – 1 Timothy 4:12, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Philippians 4:6-7, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Activity

Game: Clearing the Temple (Team Relay Game)

Divide the room into two sides (or set up two large tables/hula hoops) representing "The Temple." Fill each area with a mix of items:

Idols / Distractions (crumpled paper, toys, random objects).
God's Word (Bibles, index cards with Bible verses written on them, little paper crosses).
Divide kids into two teams. On "GO!", one player from each team runs to their area.
Players must pick up one "distraction" and run it over to the trash/recycle box to throw it away.
If they find a "God's Word" item, they must carefully bring it back to their team's "Temple".
The first team to completely clear out all the distractions and collect all of the Scripture cards/Bibles/crosses wins.

For additional Bible Kids’ Crafts, Lessons, and Activities Ideas go to Kids’ Corner Pinterest

Live

Say: God is calling me to follow Him with all my heart, stand firm in His Word, and lead my generation by example.
Prayer Focus: Ask God for boldness to do what is right, even when it’s unpopular. Pray for wisdom to clear out distractions and for strength to lead friends and family closer to Him.

Materials / Supplies Needed: