In this lesson, children learn that Daniel kept praying to God even when it was dangerous, and God kept him safe. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of the people who trust Him, even when they feel scared. We can always talk to God, no matter what is happening around us.
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, put both hands on their hearts, and then lift their hands up high like a lion’s paws while they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, lowering your voice a little each time so the children learn to whisper with God too.
The Story: Daniel 6 for Kids
A long time ago, a king named Darius ruled a huge kingdom. He chose a man named Daniel to be one of his most important helpers, because Daniel was honest and wise. The other helpers were jealous and wanted Daniel to get in trouble.
They tried to find something wrong with Daniel’s work, but they could not find anything. So they made a plan. They tricked the king into signing a new law that said no one could pray to anyone except the king for thirty days. Anyone who broke the law would be thrown into a den of lions.
Daniel heard about the law, but he did not stop praying. He went to his room, opened the windows toward Jerusalem, knelt down, and prayed to God three times a day, just as he always had. The jealous helpers saw him and ran to tell the king. The king was sad, because he liked Daniel, but he could not change his own law.
So the soldiers threw Daniel into the den of lions. The king said, “Your God, whom you serve so faithfully, will save you.” Then a big stone was rolled over the opening, and the king sealed it so no one could move it.
The king could not sleep that night. He got up early in the morning and ran to the lions’ den. He called out with a worried voice, “Daniel, can your God save you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Yes! God sent His angel, and the lions did not hurt me, because I have done nothing wrong.”
The king was so happy that he pulled Daniel out of the den, and Daniel had not one scratch on him. The king then sent away the jealous helpers, and they got the punishment they had planned for Daniel. King Darius told everyone in his kingdom that the God of Daniel is the living God who 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 did, even when a new law tried to stop him. Ask the children how they feel when they pray at home, and encourage them to keep praying even when others do not understand.
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 the children that the king said a hopeful thing to Daniel even though he was worried. Explain that God’s people can trust Him even when grown-ups make hard choices.
Daniel 6:22
My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
(WEB)
Point out that Daniel told the king God had sent an angel to protect him. Help the children see that God can keep us safe in every situation, and that our honesty matters to Him.
Talk About It
- What did Daniel do when he found out about the new law, and why do you think he kept praying?
- How do you think Daniel felt when he was in the den with the lions?
- Why do you think the king was so happy to see Daniel alive in the morning?
- What is one thing you could pray about this week when you feel scared or worried?
- How can you show God that you trust Him, just like Daniel did?
Activity Ideas
Lion Den Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple den with a rock across the front, then draw Daniel kneeling inside with his windows open toward the sky. Let the children color their pictures and write one word on the back that describes how Daniel felt.
Kneel and Pray Game
Clear a space in the room and place a few soft pillows around as lions. Call out “Daniel prays!” and have the children kneel down quietly, then stand up and say a short prayer. Call out “Lions!” and have them freeze like statues, then start again. This helps children learn that they can pray anywhere.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a hole punch with string. Write “Daniel prayed three times a day” on one side of the card and a short prayer on the other. Help each child decorate the card, punch a hole in the corner, and tie on the string so they can hang it by their bed to remind them to pray each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that faithfulness to God can come at a real cost, yet God remains faithful to those who trust Him. Daniel’s steady prayer life was a daily habit, not a one-time act of bravery, and that is worth encouraging in the grown-ups who listen to this lesson too.
When teaching children, avoid promising that God will always rescue us from every danger in the same way He rescued Daniel. Instead, focus on the truth that God is with us and that we can always trust Him, whatever happens.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being with us every day. Help us to pray to You like Daniel did, even when we feel scared or when others do not understand. Keep us safe and help us trust You with everything. Amen.
