Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Judges 2–4;6–8;13–16

Happy Opening (2 minutes): “Rescue Blanket!”

Main idea smile-starter: Hold up a small blanket (or towel) and say, “This is my rescue blanket! If you feel stuck or sad, you can call for help.”

Do: Let the children take turns wrapping the blanket around their shoulders for one second and saying: “Help, please!” Say: “Heavenly Father sent Jesus to help us. Jesus is our Deliverer!”

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Simple Scripture Story (5 minutes): “The Lord Raised Up a Deliverer”

Props: 3 simple paper signs: “did evil,” “cried unto the Lord,” “raised up a deliverer.”

Tell (simple and interactive):

1. Put the “did evil” sign down. “Sometimes God’s people made wrong choices.”
2. Put the “cried unto the Lord” sign down. “Then they felt sorry and asked the Lord for help.”
3. Put the “raised up a deliverer” sign down. “And the Lord helped them!”

Read Judges 3:9:

“And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.” (Judges 3:9)

Ask: “When we need help, who can we pray to?” “Who helps us come back to Heavenly Father?”

Connect to opening: “Just like our rescue blanket, Jesus helps us when we call for help.”

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Big Idea (repeat often)

Jesus Christ is my Deliverer.

(Children repeat with you, softly/loudly/whisper.)

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Wiggle and Learn Activities (12–15 minutes total)

1) Game: “Flip the Helper!” (Game)

Materials: Several pictures of people + a picture of Jesus, all face down (as suggested in the bundle).

Do:

1. Children take turns flipping one picture.
2. If it’s not Jesus, everyone says: “Jesus is my Deliverer!”
3. When they find Jesus, everyone gently claps and sits down.

Say: “We love good helpers, but Jesus is the Deliverer Heavenly Father sent.”

Connect: “Now that we found Jesus, let’s practice calling for His help.”

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2) Movement: “Cry Unto the Lord” Prayer Stretch (Music & Movement)

Materials: None.

Do:

1. Hands on cheeks: “Oh no!” (1 second)
2. Hands together like praying: “Heavenly Father, help me.” (1 second)
3. Hands on heart: “Thank You for Jesus.” (1 second)

Repeat 3 times, a little faster each time.

Say: “The people ‘cried unto the Lord,’ and the Lord helped.” (Judges 3:9)

Connect: “Now let’s learn about a faithful woman who helped others have faith.”

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3) Role-Play: “Deborah Helps Barak Be Brave” (Role-Play & Acting)

Materials: A simple scarf (Deborah), a paper “shield” (Barak).

Do:

1. Choose one child to be Deborah (scarf), one to be Barak (shield).
2. Teacher says: “Deborah had faith in the Lord.”
3. “Deborah” gently taps “Barak” on the shoulder and both take 3 brave steps forward together.

Say: “Deborah helped others have faith in the Lord.” (Judges 4:1–15, bundle theme: “I can inspire others to have faith in the Lord.”)

Connect: “Next, we’ll see how the Lord can do great work with small things!”

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4) Object Lesson: “Small Army, Great Help” (Object Lesson)

Materials: 10 small blocks/cups (or paper dots). Remove until only 3 remain.

Do:

1. Line up 10 blocks: “Big army!”
2. Slowly remove blocks until 3 remain: “Small army!”
3. Point to the 3: “The Lord can still help!”

Read Judges 7:2 (short and clear):

“And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.” (Judges 7:2)

Say: “The Lord wanted them to remember: The Lord saves!”

Connect: “Let’s look at a picture that helps us remember our Big Idea.”

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Picture Time (3 minutes): Gospel Art Book

Picture: “Gideon’s Army” (listed in the bundle: Gideon’s Army, by Daniel A. Lewis)

Ask (choose 2–3):

• “What do you see the people holding?”
• “Do they look like they are trusting the Lord?”
• “Who helps us when we feel small or scared?”

Repeat Big Idea: “Jesus Christ is my Deliverer.”

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Song and Actions (3 minutes)

Song: “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35) (named in the bundle)

Simple actions:

• “How could the Father tell the world…” → point up
• “He sent His Son” → hug arms around self
• “To walk with men on earth” → walk in place
• “And die for them” → fold arms reverently

Say: “Heavenly Father sent Jesus. Jesus is our Deliverer.”

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Jesus Loves Me Moment (2 minutes)

Hold the rescue blanket again.

Say: “In Judges, the people made wrong choices, then they cried to the Lord, and the Lord raised up a deliverer.” (Judges 3:9) “Jesus Christ is my Deliverer.”

Invite sharing (very short): “Finish this sentence: ‘I can be like Jesus when I ______.’” (Help, share, say sorry, pray.)

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Take-Home Hug (this week)

Invite: “When you make a mistake, tell Heavenly Father in prayer, and try again. Then give someone at home a hug and say, ‘Jesus helps us!’”

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Teacher Survival Tips

1. Keep turns tiny: For games, give each child one fast turn, then switch activities quickly.
2. Use repeat phrases: When attention wanders, whisper: “Jesus Christ is my Deliverer,” and have them whisper back.
3. If kids get wiggly: Turn any part into a “stand up / sit down” repeat of the Big Idea (stand for “Jesus,” sit for “Deliverer”).