Opening song and prayer
2 minSing Kindness Begins with Me (Children's Songbook 145), then invite a child to offer the opening prayer.
The Three-Legged Stool
4 minSet up a small stool or stack three books so it stands like a stool with three legs. Label three cups or cards: Justice, Mercy, and Humility.
Explain that Micah said the Lord requires all three. Ask a child to sit carefully on the stool while you hold all three labels up.
Remove the 'Humility' card and tilt the stool slightly. Remove 'Mercy' and show how unstable it gets. Put all three back and let the child sit safely again.
- What happened when we took away one of the three?The stool became unstable. All three were needed to hold it up.
- Can you be fair without being kind?Not really. Justice without mercy can feel harsh and cold.
- Can you be kind but unfair?That does not work either. Real kindness includes being fair to everyone.
The Lord requires justice, mercy, and humility
6 minMicah was a prophet who lived about the same time as Isaiah. While other prophets in this week's reading also called people to repent, Micah's words are the ones we will focus on today.
He asked a beautiful question: what does the Lord require of you? The answer is to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. That is the whole lesson in one sentence.
- What are the three things Micah 6:8 says the Lord requires?Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.
- What does 'do justly' mean for a kid at school?Be fair. Do not cheat, do not leave someone out on purpose, and tell the truth.
- What does 'love mercy' mean?Be kind and forgiving, even when someone does not deserve it.
- What does 'walk humbly' mean?Remember that God is in charge, not you. Stay teachable and grateful instead of proud.
Humility and mercy go together
6 minPride makes us think we are better than others. Humility helps us see that everyone needs the Savior.
Remember Jonah and Nineveh from last week? The people there repented when Jonah preached. Later they forgot the Lord again, but that is a story for another time. Micah's message is about the kind of heart that keeps seeking God.
- What did the proud character in the video get wrong?He thought he was better than others and did not need to be kind or humble.
- What did the humble character do right?He served, worked hard, and treated others with kindness.
- Which of Micah's three requirements does humility help the most?Walk humbly with thy God. It also helps us show mercy to others.
- When were you humble this week instead of showing off?Let children answer. Letting someone else go first, accepting correction, or helping without needing praise.
Micah prophesied where the Savior would be born (optional)
optionalMicah also prophesied that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem, a small town that did not seem very important.
Christmas is coming. The prophets we have studied all year were waiting and testifying of Jesus Christ. Micah told us where He would come.
- What city did Micah say the Ruler of Israel would come from?Bethlehem.
- Why is it amazing that such an important prophecy came from a 'little' town?It shows that God chooses humble places and humble people for His greatest work.
- How can you show mercy and humility as you prepare for Christmas?Let children answer. Give without showing off, include someone lonely, or serve family quietly.
In the scriptures
5 minRead these together and talk about them.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
- Does this verse give a huge list of rules or three simple things?Three simple things that work together.
- Which of the three is hardest for you right now?Let children answer honestly. Being fair, forgiving, or staying humble.
- How does Jesus Christ show all three?He was perfectly fair, full of mercy, and completely humble before His Father.
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
- What does 'little among the thousands' tell us about Bethlehem?It was a small, ordinary town, not a famous capital city.
- Who is the Ruler Micah said would come from Bethlehem?Jesus Christ, the Savior.
- Why does it matter that prophets like Micah told us about Jesus before He was born?It shows God's plan was real and that Jesus is the One the whole Old Testament was pointing to.
Three-card challenge
optionalGive each child three small cards or paper strips.
On one card write 'Justice' and one fair action they will do this week. On another write 'Mercy' and one kind thing they will do. On the third write 'Humility' and one way they will put God first.
Let children share one card if they want to. Remind them that Micah said all three belong together.
Latter-day Kids lesson bundle and coloring pages for this week