Jeremiah, the Young Prophet Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jeremiah was young, but God was with him.”
Jeremiah lived in a little town called Anathoth. It was not far from Jerusalem. His father Hilkiah was a priest – a man who served God. Jeremiah was still young.
At that time, good King Josiah ruled the land. And one day the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah.
God said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you.” The womb is the place inside a mommy where a baby grows. Sanctified means chosen for God. Even before Jeremiah was born, God knew him!
“I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” A prophet tells people God’s words. God wanted Jeremiah to speak for him.
But Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” Jeremiah was young, but God was with him.
The LORD said, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child.’ You must go to whomever I send you. You must say whatever I command you.”
And he said, “Don’t be afraid because of them. For I am with you to rescue you.” To rescue means to save. Jeremiah was young, but God was with him.
Then the LORD stretched out his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth. “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” Behold means look! Now Jeremiah had God’s words to say. Can you touch your mouth with your finger, like this?
God said Jeremiah would help “to build and to plant.” He would be like a builder and a gardener. He would bring God’s words to the people.
Then God asked, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” Jeremiah looked. “I see a branch of an almond tree,” he said. What do you think God said?
An almond tree has pretty white and pink flowers. It is one of the first trees to bloom after winter. Its nuts are good to eat.
God said, “You have seen well. For I watch over my word to perform it.” In Jeremiah’s language, the word for almond sounds like the word for watching! God was watching. He always does what he says. Jeremiah was young, but God was with him.
God said, “Put your belt on your waist. Arise, and say to them all that I command you.” That means: get ready and go! Can you pretend to put on your belt and stand up?
God said Jeremiah would be strong, like an iron pillar. A pillar is a big, strong post that holds up a roof. Iron is very hard. He would be like a city with strong walls. Can you stand still and strong, like an iron pillar?
“They will fight against you. But they will not prevail against you. For I am with you.” Prevail means win. No one would win against Jeremiah, because God was with him.
Jeremiah told God’s words for many, many years. God knew Jeremiah before he was born, and God went with him. Jeremiah was young, but God was with him.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Jeremiah felt when God asked him to be a prophet?
- What does it feel like to know that God is with you?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you” — Jeremiah 1:8 (Don’t be afraid → shake your head no; I am with you → hug yourself)
Dear God, thank you that you knew me before I was born. Thank you that you are with me. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God chose you on purpose
Memory verse: “"Don't be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you," says the LORD.” — Jeremiah 1:8 · WEB
The Bible story
When God calls a shy young boy to be His special messenger, Jeremiah learns that being little is never too little for the God who made him.
Talk about it
- What was the name of the boy in this story? — Jeremiah
- What little town did Jeremiah live in? — Anathoth
- What amazing thing happened to Jeremiah one day? — God spoke to him
- When did God say He first knew Jeremiah? — Before he was born
- What special job did God give Jeremiah? — To be a prophet
- Why did Jeremiah feel worried at first? — He felt too young
Where is Jesus in this story?
God touched Jeremiah's mouth and put his words there so he could speak for him (Jeremiah 1:9). Jesus is even greater. He said, “The words I say to you I do not speak on my own,” because he and the Father are one (John 14:10). Jeremiah carried God's message, but Jesus is God's message, the Word who became a person and lived among us (John 1:14).
What God wants to tell us
Jeremiah thought he was too young and too small to do anything important, but God knew him and loved him before he was even born. God does not need us to be big or clever or grown-up. He simply asks us to trust Him and to go where He sends us, promising all the while, "I am with you." Just like Jeremiah, you were made on purpose and loved before you took your very first breath. Whatever God asks of you, He will always give you exactly what you need.
Prayer
Loving God, thank You for knowing me and loving me even before I was born. When I feel too little or too afraid, help me remember that You are always with me. Please put Your good words in my heart, and help me to be brave for You. Amen.
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