Othniel, the First Judge 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: “The people cried, and the LORD heard.”
God’s people lived in their new land. Joshua, their good leader, had died. And the people forgot the LORD their God.
They bowed down to pretend gods called Baals. Baals were statues made by people. They could not see or hear or help anyone. That was very wrong, and it made the LORD angry.
So the LORD gave his people over to a king from far away. The king came from Mesopotamia. That name means “the land between the rivers.” It was far away, across the desert. His name was Cushan Rishathaim. What a long name! Can you say it with me? Cu-shan Ri-sha-tha-im!
Cushan Rishathaim ruled over God’s people. They had to serve him and work for him. For eight long years! Let’s count them on our fingers. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Eight years is a very long time. God’s people were in big trouble. At last they remembered the LORD. They cried out to him for help. The people cried, and the LORD heard.
The LORD raised up a savior – someone to save them. His name was Othniel. The Bible calls him Caleb’s younger brother. Caleb was the strong old man who loved God. Othniel was the very first of the judges God sent.
Othniel was brave. Long before, he had won the town of Debir. And he had married Caleb’s daughter, Achsah. Now God had a new job for him.
Then the LORD’s Spirit came on Othniel. God’s Spirit is God himself, coming close to help. God’s Spirit made Othniel ready for his big job. The LORD was with Othniel. It grieved the LORD to hear his people groan. Grieved means it made him sad. Now God would surely help them.
Othniel became the judge of Israel. A judge was a leader sent by God to help his people. Can you stand up tall, like a leader?
Othniel led God’s people out against the king and his army. And the LORD helped Othniel win. The king could not rule over God’s people anymore. The people cried, and the LORD heard.
Now God’s people were free. There was peace in the land. No more serving the king. No more fighting! The people could work in their own fields again. They could sleep safe in their own homes.
For forty years the land had rest. Forty years! In forty years, a little baby can grow all the way up. It can become a mom or a dad! Can you lie down and rest, nice and quiet? The people cried, and the LORD heard.
After those forty years, Othniel died. He had done the job God gave him.
God’s people had forgotten God. But when they cried to him, he did not forget them. The LORD sent a savior to save his people.
God hears when we cry to him too. Big cries and little cries, day or night. Even tonight, as you go to sleep, he hears you. The people cried, and the LORD heard.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the people felt during those eight long years?
- When can we cry out to God for help?
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)
Color the 8 hard years. Then color one big sun for the peace that came.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“The LORD raised up a savior to the children of Israel” — Judges 3:9 (the LORD → point up; raised up → lift your hands slowly up; a savior → open your arms wide)
Dear God, thank you that you hear us when we cry for help. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God hears when we call
Memory verse: “When the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them.” — Judges 3:9 · WEB
The Bible story
When Israel forgot God and a mighty king took over, the people cried for help — and God chose a brave hero named Othniel to set them free again.
Talk about it
- After Joshua and the leaders were gone, what did the people of Israel do? — They began to forget God
- Instead of praying to God, what did the people start to worship? — Baal and other idols
- What happened to Israel after they turned away from God? — A powerful king ruled over them
- How many years did the people live under the harsh king's rule? — Eight years
- When life grew hard, what did the people finally do? — They cried out to God for help
- How did God answer the people's cry for help? — He raised up a rescuer
Where is Jesus in this story?
The secret of Othniel's victory was that “the Spirit of the Lord came on him” (Judges 3:10). When Jesus began His work, the Holy Spirit came down on Him at His baptism (Matthew 3:16), and He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me” (Luke 4:18). Othniel brought forty years of peace, but Jesus brings peace with God that lasts forever (Romans 5:1).
What God wants to tell us
Othniel's story shows us that God never forgets His children. Even when the people had wandered far away, the moment they turned back and cried out, God was listening. He gently sent a helper to rescue them. God still hears you today — whenever you are worried or sorry or afraid, you can talk to Him, and He will always answer with love.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for always hearing me when I call. When I feel afraid or make mistakes, help me to turn back to You. Thank You for sending brave helpers, and most of all for Jesus, my Rescuer. Please fill me with courage and peace today. Amen.
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