This lesson teaches children that Daniel kept praying to God even when it was dangerous, and God kept him safe. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God takes care of the people who trust Him, even when it is scary. Daniel kept talking to God every day, and God kept Daniel safe.
Memory Verse
Daniel 6:23
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
(WEB)
Have the children sit tall, fold their hands, and then open them wide like a lion’s mouth while saying the last words together. Then they can close their hands gently as a sign that God shuts the lions’ mouths. Repeat it three times, and each time, make the motions a little bigger.
The Story: Daniel 6 for Kids
Long ago, a king named Darius ruled a big land called Persia. He chose 120 leaders to help him run the kingdom. Over them, he put three main leaders, and one of them was a man named Daniel. Daniel was very good at his job, and the king trusted him more than anyone else.
The other leaders got jealous. They wanted to get Daniel in trouble, but they could not find anything wrong he had done. So they made a plan. They told the king to sign a new rule that no one could pray to anyone except the king for thirty days. The king signed it, not knowing it was a trap.
Daniel heard about the new rule, but he did not stop praying. He went into his room, opened his window toward Jerusalem, and knelt down to pray to God three times a day, just like he always did. The jealous leaders saw him praying and ran to tell the king. They said, “Daniel does not respect you, O king!”
The king felt very sad, because he liked Daniel. He tried all day to find a way to save him, but the rule could not be changed. So the soldiers took Daniel and threw him into a den full of hungry lions. The king said to him, “Your God will save you.”
That night the king could not eat or sleep. Early the next morning, he rushed to the lions’ den and called out with a worried voice, “Daniel, can your God save you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and they did not hurt me.”
The king was overjoyed. He pulled Daniel out, and not a single scratch was on him, because Daniel had trusted God. Then the king wrote a letter to everyone in his kingdom, telling them to honor the God of Daniel, who saves and rescues His people.
Read It Together
Daniel 6:10
When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
(WEB)
Point out that Daniel prayed the same way he always had, even when a new rule tried to stop him. Ask the children what it looks like to keep doing the right thing when others want us to stop.
Daniel 6:16
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
(WEB)
Show how the king spoke hopefully to Daniel even while he was sad. Explain that trusting God means we can hope in Him even when we don’t know how things will turn out.
Daniel 6:26-27
26 “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; “for he is the living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
(WEB)
Notice how the king told everyone that the God of Daniel is living and able to rescue. Help the children see that God’s power is bigger than any lion, and that He is faithful forever.
Talk About It
- What did Daniel do when he found out about the new rule, and why do you think he kept praying?
- How do you think Daniel felt when he was thrown into the lions’ den?
- What is something that feels scary to you, and how can God help you with it?
- Why do you think the king was so happy to see Daniel alive in the morning?
- How can you talk to God every day, just like Daniel did?
Activity Ideas
Lion’s Den Paper Plate Craft
Give each child a paper plate, crayons, and cotton balls. Have them draw a simple lion face in the middle of the plate and glue cotton balls around the edge for a mane. Then they can draw a small Daniel standing in front of the lion. Talk together about how God was with Daniel the whole time.
Lion Freeze Game
Ask the children to pretend to be lions and roar and prowl around the room. When you call out “Daniel prays!”, they freeze, fold their hands, and whisper a short prayer. When you call “God shuts the lions’ mouths!”, they quietly close their mouths and sit down. Keep it playful and short.
Daily Prayer Window Card
Give each child a sheet of paper and a pencil. Have them draw a window at the top and write or draw one person or thing they want to pray for each day. Help them tape it somewhere they will see it every morning, like a bedroom door or a bathroom mirror. Encourage them to pray over it just as Daniel did.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that faithfulness to God can cost us something, yet God remains faithful to those who trust Him. Daniel did not hide his prayer life to protect himself, and God vindicated him publicly. The chapter also reminds us that God’s kingdom is lasting, even when earthly rulers make foolish decisions.
With children, avoid suggesting that God will always rescue us from every danger in the same way He saved Daniel. Instead, emphasize that God is with us and that He is good, even when He allows hard things. Be honest that not every faithful person is delivered from danger in this life.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are with us every day, just like You were with Daniel. Help us to pray to You every day and to trust You when things feel scary. Thank You that You are strong and faithful forever. Amen.
