Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls 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: “God’s good hand was on Nehemiah.”
Nehemiah lived far away from Jerusalem, in the king’s palace. He worked for a great king. He was the king’s cupbearer. That means he brought the king his drinks.
One day Nehemiah’s brother came to visit. He brought sad news. “The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” A city wall keeps the people safe. Without a wall, anyone could come in.
Nehemiah sat down and cried. For many days he was sad. He did not eat. He prayed to the God of heaven. “Let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant,” he prayed. That means: please listen to me, God.
One day Nehemiah brought the king his drink. The king saw Nehemiah’s face. “Why is your face sad?” he asked. Nehemiah was very afraid. “Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city lies waste?” he said. That means: when the city is broken down.
“What is your request?” the king asked. So Nehemiah prayed to God, very quickly, right there. Then he said, “Send me to Judah, that I may build it.” And the king said yes!
The king gave him letters, so he could travel safely. He even gave Nehemiah wood for the gates. Soldiers on horses went with him. God’s good hand was on Nehemiah.
So Nehemiah went to Jerusalem. One night he rode around and looked at the broken walls. Only a few men went with him. Shhh! Nobody else knew. Can you tiptoe quietly, like Nehemiah at night?
Then he said to the people, “Come, let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem.” He told them that God’s good hand was on him. The people said, “Let’s rise up and build.” Can you say it with them? “Let’s rise up and build!” God’s good hand was on Nehemiah.
Everyone helped. The priests built the Sheep Gate. Another family built the Fish Gate. People from other towns came to help. Each group built a piece of the wall, right next to the next group. Stone on stone. Can you stack your fists like stones?
But some enemies made fun of them. One said, “If a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall!” Ha! A little fox!
Nehemiah prayed to God. The people kept on working. Soon the wall was half as high as it should be. The people wanted to work!
Then the enemies got angry. They wanted to fight. So some people built, and some kept watch, day and night. Nehemiah said, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.”
Nehemiah kept a man with a trumpet next to him. He said, “Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally there to us. Our God will fight for us.” Rally means come together. God’s good hand was on Nehemiah.
They worked from early in the morning until the stars came out. Day after day after day.
And then the wall was finished! It took only fifty-two days. The enemies were afraid. They saw that this work was done by God.
God helped his people build the wall, stone by stone. God’s good hand was on Nehemiah.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Nehemiah cried when he heard about the broken wall?
- What would you like to build together with your family?
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)
“Let’s rise up and build” — Nehemiah 2:18 (Let’s rise up → stand up tall; and build → stack your fists one on top of the other)
Dear God, thank you for your good hand on us. Thank you that we can work together. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God helps us do big things
Memory verse: “They said, "Let's rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” — Nehemiah 2:18 · WEB
The Bible story
The city of God lay broken and its walls were fallen down, but one brave man named Nehemiah trusted God to help everyone rebuild together.
Talk about it
- What sad news did Nehemiah hear about the city of Jerusalem? — Its walls had fallen down
- What did Nehemiah do first when he felt so sad? — He prayed to God
- Who did Nehemiah work for in the great palace? — The king
- What did Nehemiah ask the king if he could do? — Go and rebuild his city
- How did the king respond to Nehemiah's request? — He said yes
- What did Nehemiah do at night when he first reached Jerusalem? — Looked at the broken walls
Where is Jesus in this story?
Nehemiah's enemies tried to pull him away from the wall, but he answered, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3). On the cross, people mocked Jesus, shouting, “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:40). Jesus stayed, because saving us was His great work, and He finished it.
What God wants to tell us
When Nehemiah saw a job that felt far too big, he did not give up and he did not try to do it all alone. He prayed and trusted God, then he worked hard with his friends. God shows us that no problem is too big for Him. When we bring our worries to God and do our part with a hopeful heart, He gives us the strength and the helpers we need, one small step at a time.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being with me when things feel too big or too broken. Please help me to pray like Nehemiah and to be brave and kind when I work. Thank you that no problem is too hard for you. Amen.
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