Weekly Lesson

Older Primary Lesson Plan

Week 30 · July 20–26 · 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30

Week 30

Premium download

Before You Teach

Teacher Quick Brief

A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.

Show / Hide

Teacher Quick Brief

What This Week Is About

This week we meet two brave kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat and Asa, who faced enormous, scary problems, armies, enemies, hard situations, that they could not solve on their own. Jehoshaphat's story teaches children the most important lesson of the week: when we don't know what to do, we can pray and trust God, and He will help us. This is a lesson about courage, prayer, and trust, not about war or fighting.

Main Points To Teach

When we face big problems we can't solve alone, we can pray to God like Jehoshaphat did, saying, "we know not what to do: but our eyes are upon thee" (2 Chronicles 20:12).
God answers our prayers and tells us not to be afraid: "Fear not, nor be dismayed" (2 Chronicles 20:17).
King Asa trusted God when an army of a million men came against Judah, and prayed, "Lord, it is nothing with thee to help… we rest on thee" (2 Chronicles 14:11).

What Is Happening In The Scripture Story

Three enemy armies marched together to attack Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he gathered everyone, even children, at the temple to fast and pray. He admitted they had no power to win this fight on their own, but said their eyes were on God. God sent an answer through a man named Jahaziel, telling them not to be afraid because "the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15). The next morning, the people went out singing instead of fighting, and God caused their enemies to be defeated without Judah's army even needing to fight.

Why It Matters For Older Primary

Ages 8-10 face their own "armies", hard tests, mean words from a classmate, fear of failing at something, or worry about a big change. This lesson helps them see that praying and trusting God isn't just for kings; it's something they can do this week when something feels too big to handle alone.

Full Lesson Flow

Teaching Outline

Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.

Opening Connection

Hold up an umbrella (or raincoat). Ask: "Why do we trust this to keep us dry when it rains?" Let a few children answer. Then say: "Today we're going to learn about a king named Jehoshaphat who faced something much scarier than rain, three armies coming to attack his kingdom! He didn't know what to do. Have you ever felt like a problem was just too big for you to fix by yourself?" Let children share briefly, then say, "Let's find out what Jehoshaphat did."

Scripture Discovery

Read together (teacher reads aloud while children follow along), 2 Chronicles 20:12:

"O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."

Ask children to listen for what Jehoshaphat says he does NOT have (might, knowledge) and what he DOES have (his eyes on God). Have a volunteer circle or point to the phrase "our eyes are upon thee."

Then read God's answer, 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17:

"Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." "Fear not, nor be dismayed... for the Lord will be with you."

Ask: "How do you think Jehoshaphat felt after hearing this answer?"

Core Gospel Principles

When problems feel too big, I can pray and tell God honestly that I need help, just like Jehoshaphat did.
God hears our prayers and tells us not to be afraid, because He fights for us and is always with us.
Trusting God means following His instructions even when it doesn't make sense, Judah didn't even fight; they marched out singing!

Interactive Learning Activities

Activity options

"Our Eyes Are Upon Thee" Beanbag Toss (Game)

Materials: A beanbag (or rolled-up sock), painter's tape or paper squares on the floor.
Instructions: Tape down 4-5 paper squares, each with one word from the phrase "our-eyes-are-upon-thee" written on it. Children take turns tossing the beanbag onto a square and reading the word aloud. Once all words are found, have the class say the full phrase together.
Connects to scripture: Reinforces the key phrase from 2 Chronicles 20:12 through repetition and movement.
Discussion questions: "What does it mean for our eyes to be 'upon' God?" "Where do you think Jehoshaphat looked when he didn't know what to do?"

"Our Eyes Are Upon Thee" Beanbag Toss (Game)

Materials: A beanbag (or rolled-up sock), painter's tape or paper squares on the floor.
Instructions: Tape down 4-5 paper squares, each with one word from the phrase "our-eyes-are-upon-thee" written on it. Children take turns tossing the beanbag onto a square and reading the word aloud. Once all words are found, have the class say the full phrase together.
Connects to scripture: Reinforces the key phrase from 2 Chronicles 20:12 through repetition and movement.
Discussion questions: "What does it mean for our eyes to be 'upon' God?" "Where do you think Jehoshaphat looked when he didn't know what to do?"

Freeze and Pray Role-Play (Role-Play & Acting)

Materials: None needed (optional: a paper crown for "Jehoshaphat").
Instructions: Choose a few children to act out the scene, villagers looking worried, "Jehoshaphat" kneeling to pray, and one child playing Jahaziel delivering God's answer ("Fear not, nor be dismayed!"). Freeze the scene at the moment of the prayer and ask the class what they think everyone is feeling. Then unfreeze and act out the people marching out singing instead of fighting.
Connects to scripture: Brings 2 Chronicles 20:1-25 to life so children experience the emotional shift from fear to peace.
Discussion questions: "Why do you think they sang instead of carrying weapons?" "How would you have felt marching out like that?"

"When I Don't Know What To Do" Commitment Cards (Creative Expression)

Materials: Index cards or paper, crayons/markers.
Instructions: Give each child a card. Have them draw or write one situation where they feel worried or unsure (a test, a new school year, a disagreement with a friend). On the back, have them write or draw "My eyes are upon Thee" with a simple picture of praying hands or an eye looking up.
Connects to scripture: Directly applies Jehoshaphat's prayer pattern to the children's real lives.
Discussion questions: "What is one thing that feels too big for you right now?" "How can praying about it help, like it helped Jehoshaphat?"

Life Application Bridge

Just like Jehoshaphat didn't have to fight the battle alone, we don't have to handle our hard days alone either. When a test feels scary, when a friend is unkind, or when we're nervous about something new, we can stop, pray, and tell Heavenly Father, "I don't know what to do, but my eyes are upon Thee." Then we can listen for His help, just like the people of Judah listened to Jahaziel.

Testimony Time

Ask: "Has anyone ever prayed about something that felt too big, and then felt peace or knew what to do?" Invite a few children to share. Bear simple testimony that Heavenly Father truly does hear our prayers and helps us, just as He helped Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.

Take-Home Challenge

This week, when you feel worried or unsure about something, stop and say a simple prayer like Jehoshaphat's: "I don't know what to do, but my eyes are upon Thee." Take your commitment card home and put it somewhere you'll see it, like on your mirror or by your bed.

Teacher Tips

For children who get wiggly during discussion, intersperse questions with movement (like having them stand if they've ever felt "surrounded" by a problem, then sit to talk about it).
If a child shares something heavy or personal during testimony time, keep your response warm and brief, and follow up with them or their parent after class if needed.

Weekly Lesson

Older Primary Lesson Plan

Week 30 · July 20–26 · 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30

Week 30

Premium download

Before You Teach

Teacher Quick Brief

A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.

Show / Hide

Teacher Quick Brief

What This Week Is About

Main Points To Teach

When we face big problems we can't solve alone, we can pray to God like Jehoshaphat did, saying, "we know not what to do: but our eyes are upon thee" (2 Chronicles 20:12).
God answers our prayers and tells us not to be afraid: "Fear not, nor be dismayed" (2 Chronicles 20:17).
King Asa trusted God when an army of a million men came against Judah, and prayed, "Lord, it is nothing with thee to help… we rest on thee" (2 Chronicles 14:11).

What Is Happening In The Scripture Story

Why It Matters For Older Primary

Full Lesson Flow

Teaching Outline

Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.

Opening Connection

Scripture Discovery

Read together (teacher reads aloud while children follow along), 2 Chronicles 20:12:

"O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."

Ask children to listen for what Jehoshaphat says he does NOT have (might, knowledge) and what he DOES have (his eyes on God). Have a volunteer circle or point to the phrase "our eyes are upon thee."

Then read God's answer, 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17:

"Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." "Fear not, nor be dismayed... for the Lord will be with you."

Ask: "How do you think Jehoshaphat felt after hearing this answer?"

Core Gospel Principles

When problems feel too big, I can pray and tell God honestly that I need help, just like Jehoshaphat did.
God hears our prayers and tells us not to be afraid, because He fights for us and is always with us.
Trusting God means following His instructions even when it doesn't make sense, Judah didn't even fight; they marched out singing!

Interactive Learning Activities

Activity options

"Our Eyes Are Upon Thee" Beanbag Toss (Game)

Materials: A beanbag (or rolled-up sock), painter's tape or paper squares on the floor.
Instructions: Tape down 4-5 paper squares, each with one word from the phrase "our-eyes-are-upon-thee" written on it. Children take turns tossing the beanbag onto a square and reading the word aloud. Once all words are found, have the class say the full phrase together.
Connects to scripture: Reinforces the key phrase from 2 Chronicles 20:12 through repetition and movement.
Discussion questions: "What does it mean for our eyes to be 'upon' God?" "Where do you think Jehoshaphat looked when he didn't know what to do?"

"Our Eyes Are Upon Thee" Beanbag Toss (Game)

Materials: A beanbag (or rolled-up sock), painter's tape or paper squares on the floor.
Instructions: Tape down 4-5 paper squares, each with one word from the phrase "our-eyes-are-upon-thee" written on it. Children take turns tossing the beanbag onto a square and reading the word aloud. Once all words are found, have the class say the full phrase together.
Connects to scripture: Reinforces the key phrase from 2 Chronicles 20:12 through repetition and movement.
Discussion questions: "What does it mean for our eyes to be 'upon' God?" "Where do you think Jehoshaphat looked when he didn't know what to do?"

Freeze and Pray Role-Play (Role-Play & Acting)

Materials: None needed (optional: a paper crown for "Jehoshaphat").
Instructions: Choose a few children to act out the scene, villagers looking worried, "Jehoshaphat" kneeling to pray, and one child playing Jahaziel delivering God's answer ("Fear not, nor be dismayed!"). Freeze the scene at the moment of the prayer and ask the class what they think everyone is feeling. Then unfreeze and act out the people marching out singing instead of fighting.
Connects to scripture: Brings 2 Chronicles 20:1-25 to life so children experience the emotional shift from fear to peace.
Discussion questions: "Why do you think they sang instead of carrying weapons?" "How would you have felt marching out like that?"

"When I Don't Know What To Do" Commitment Cards (Creative Expression)

Materials: Index cards or paper, crayons/markers.
Instructions: Give each child a card. Have them draw or write one situation where they feel worried or unsure (a test, a new school year, a disagreement with a friend). On the back, have them write or draw "My eyes are upon Thee" with a simple picture of praying hands or an eye looking up.
Connects to scripture: Directly applies Jehoshaphat's prayer pattern to the children's real lives.
Discussion questions: "What is one thing that feels too big for you right now?" "How can praying about it help, like it helped Jehoshaphat?"

Life Application Bridge

Testimony Time

Take-Home Challenge

Teacher Tips

For children who get wiggly during discussion, intersperse questions with movement (like having them stand if they've ever felt "surrounded" by a problem, then sit to talk about it).
If a child shares something heavy or personal during testimony time, keep your response warm and brief, and follow up with them or their parent after class if needed.