Heralds to Hearts
Junior primary · 25 lessons

God's People and the Promised King

Follow God's people through the land, judges, kings, exile and return. Children discover why we need a faithful King and how God fulfils His promise in Jesus.

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Become familiar with the people, events and consequences from the land to return, recognising the need for God's promised faithful King.

Unit 1 Lessons 1–5

Entering the land and needing mercy

Joshua; Judges

  1. Rahab trusts the LORD of heaven and earth

    Joshua 2:1–21

    Rahab recognises the LORD's rule and asks for mercy as Israel approaches the land.

  2. Crossing the Jordan and remembering

    Joshua 3:7–17; 4:1–9

    The LORD brings Israel through the Jordan and gives a memorial that prompts the next generation to ask.

  3. Jericho and the LORD's promise

    Joshua 6:1–5,15–25

    The LORD gives the promised victory and preserves Rahab's household as pledged.

  4. Deborah and Barak hear God's word

    Judges 4:1–16

    The LORD delivers oppressed Israel and calls his servants to depend on his word.

  5. Gideon learns where rescue comes from

    Judges 6:11–16; 7:2–8,19–22

    The LORD weakens Israel's apparent strength so they cannot boast that they saved themselves.

Unit 2 Lessons 6–10

Ordinary lives and a coming king

Ruth; 1 Samuel

  1. Ruth stays with Naomi

    Ruth 1:1–18

    Ruth turns towards Naomi's people and God amid grief and loss.

  2. Boaz shows kindness and the family continues

    Ruth 2:1–13; 4:13–17

    God's kindness reaches a vulnerable family through Boaz and preserves a family line leading to David.

  3. Hannah brings her sorrow to the LORD

    1 Samuel 1:9–20,24–28

    Hannah brings real sorrow to the LORD and acknowledges his gift of Samuel.

  4. Israel asks for a king

    1 Samuel 8:1–22

    Israel's demand for a king like the nations exposes rejection of the LORD's rule.

  5. God chooses David

    1 Samuel 16:1–13

    The LORD chooses his king according to his own judgement rather than outward appearance.

Unit 3 Lessons 11–15

The promises and failures of kings

1 Samuel; 2 Samuel; 1 Kings

  1. David faces Goliath in the LORD's name

    1 Samuel 17:32–50

    The LORD delivers Israel through David so that people recognise whose battle it is.

  2. God promises David a lasting house

    2 Samuel 7:1–17

    The LORD promises to establish David's royal house; David cannot build God's future for him.

  3. Solomon asks for wisdom

    1 Kings 3:4–15

    Solomon acknowledges his need and asks God for wisdom to govern God's people.

  4. The kingdom divides

    1 Kings 12:1–20

    Rehoboam's proud response harms the people and the kingdom divides.

  5. Elijah and a widow receive God's provision

    1 Kings 17:1–16

    The LORD sustains Elijah and a foreign widow through drought by his faithful word.

Unit 4 Lessons 16–20

Prophets, mercy and judgement

1 Kings; 2 Kings

  1. The LORD alone is God

    1 Kings 18:20–39

    The LORD answers so that Israel may know him and turn from divided worship.

  2. Elisha and the widow's oil

    2 Kings 4:1–7

    The LORD provides for a vulnerable widow through Elisha's instruction.

  3. Naaman receives an undeserved cleansing

    2 Kings 5:1–15

    Naaman discovers the LORD's gracious power after his pride resists a simple command.

  4. Josiah hears the law and Huldah's warning

    2 Kings 22:8–20

    The found book exposes Judah's unfaithfulness, and the LORD's message calls for a humble response.

  5. Jerusalem falls and the people are exiled

    2 Kings 25:1–12

    Judah's exile is a serious judgement after persistent refusal to hear the LORD.

Unit 5 Lessons 21–25

Return and the promised faithful King

Esther; Ezra; Nehemiah; Isaiah; Luke; Revelation

  1. Esther speaks when her people are threatened

    Esther 4:1–17

    Esther accepts costly responsibility to plead for her threatened people while the outcome remains uncertain.

  2. Returning people rebuild worship

    Ezra 3:1–13

    The returned people resume worship and lay the temple foundation amid both joy and grief.

  3. Ezra helps the people understand God's word

    Nehemiah 8:1–12

    The gathered people hear and understand God's law, then respond with worship, joy and sharing.

  4. A promised King brings light

    Isaiah 9:1–7

    God promises light and a just, lasting reign to people in darkness.

  5. Mary hears about David's promised King

    Luke 1:26–38; Revelation 11:15–17

    Jesus is David’s promised King, whose good reign will never end, so we can trust Him while we wait.