King Joash Sunday School Lesson for Kids

This free King Joash Sunday school lesson teaches kids that God kept Joash safe and that Joash did what was right while a godly teacher taught him. A wicked queen tried to destroy the royal family, but little Joash was hidden in the house of the LORD for six years (2 Kings 11:2–3). Then Jehoiada the priest "put the crown upon him," and the people "clapped their hands, and said, God save the king" (11:12). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

• Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a Peekaboo King game, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD") with motions, and a crown to draw and color.
• Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: a Find the Hidden Crown game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Crown the Speaker memory verse game, and God Save the King.
• 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a Who Taught You? game, kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (Jehosheba hides Joash, King David's spears and shields, the crown and the testimony), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
• Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read 2 Kings 11 and 12:1–2 out loud themselves, then discuss God's promise to David, being faithful while you wait, God's Word alongside the crown, and the voices we listen to. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (2 Kings 12:2 and Proverbs 20:11).

Lesson at a glance

• Bible passage: 2 Kings 11:1–12:2
• Main point: God kept Joash safe, and Joash did what was right when he listened to a godly teacher.
• Memory verse: 2 Kings 12:2 (KJV), with Proverbs 20:11 added for preteens
• Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

1. Opening game: a short game about hiding, crowning a king, or the people who teach us.
2. Bible story: Athaliah tries to destroy the royal family (2 Kings 11:1), Jehosheba hides Joash and his nurse (11:2), Joash is hidden in the house of the LORD six years (11:3), Jehoiada puts the crown upon him and the people say "God save the king" (11:12), and Joash, seven years old, does what is right while Jehoiada teaches him (11:21, 12:2). Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
3. Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
4. Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn 2 Kings 12:2.
5. What this means for us: listen to godly teachers and do right, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
6. Activity: the word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the King Joash craft, God Save the King, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching King Joash

• Bring a paper crown. Crowning each child in the games helps kids remember 2 Kings 11:12.
• The Bible calls him both Joash (2 Kings 11:2) and Jehoash (11:21, 12:2). Tell kids they are the same name.
• Athaliah's wicked plan and her end (11:1, 11:16) are told gently, and only in the older lessons. The younger lessons give you a short answer if a child asks.
• Keep the challenge practical: thank someone who teaches you about God, and do what is right even when no one is watching.
• Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.