Daniel 7 teaches children that God is in charge of every kingdom and every ruler, even when scary animals and powerful kings seem to be running the show. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is the King who is always in charge, and he will one day make everything right. Even when things look scary, God is still on his throne.
Memory Verse
Daniel 7:14
Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom that which will not be destroyed.
(WEB)
Ask the children to raise both arms high over their heads, then slowly lower them like a king settling onto a throne. Each time you say the verse together, repeat the motion so the words and the picture stay connected.
The Story: Daniel 7 for Kids
One night, Daniel had a strange dream. He was living in Babylon, a land ruled by a king named Belshazzar. In his dream, the wind blew hard across a great, wild sea, and four huge animals rose up out of the water, each one different from the others.
The first animal looked like a lion with eagle’s wings. Then its wings were pulled off, and it stood up on two feet like a person, and it was given a human heart. The second animal looked like a bear, and it was told, “Get up and eat a lot of meat!” The third animal was like a leopard with four bird wings and four heads.
The fourth animal was the scariest of all. It had huge iron teeth and ten horns. Then a small horn grew up among the others, and it had eyes like a man and a mouth that said proud and terrible things. Daniel was very troubled by what he saw.
Then Daniel saw a throne set up in heaven, and God sat on it. His clothes were as white as snow, and fire flowed out from in front of him. Thousands and thousands of angels stood around him. The books were opened, and God began to judge. Daniel also saw someone like a son of man coming on the clouds of heaven, and he was given a kingdom that would last forever.
Daniel asked one of the angels what the dream meant. The angel told him that the four animals were four kingdoms, but that God’s holy people would one day receive the kingdom and keep it forever. Daniel felt worried and confused, but he kept these things in his heart.
Read It Together
Daniel 7:9
“I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
(WEB)
Point out that God is described as sitting on a throne, which means he is the ruler. Ask the children what it tells them about God that he is in charge even when the world looks messy.
Daniel 7:13-14
13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom that which will not be destroyed.
(WEB)
Show the children how the son of man comes to God, and that God gives him authority and a kingdom. Explain that this kingdom is a kingdom that will never end.
Daniel 7:27
The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’
(WEB)
Help the children see that God’s kingdom belongs to his people, and that all powers will one day serve and obey him. Remind them that God keeps his promises to the people who trust him.
Talk About It
- What was the strangest animal Daniel saw in his dream, and why do you think it was so scary?
- How did Daniel feel when he saw his dream, and what do you think he did next?
- What does it tell us about God that he sits on a throne in heaven?
- Why is it good to know that God is still in charge even when bad kings seem powerful?
- How can you show that you trust God to be the King of your life this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw Daniel’s Four Animals
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw one of the four animals from Daniel’s dream: the lion with eagle’s wings, the bear, the leopard with four wings, and the fearsome beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Hang the drawings on the wall in order, and talk about how God is still in charge of all of them.
King on the Throne Game
You will need a chair and a small object like a toy crown or a folded paper crown. Pick one child to sit on the chair as the King. The other children take turns acting out one of the animals in a slow, silly way while the King holds up a hand and says, “God is still in charge!” Switch roles so everyone gets a turn to be the King.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and tape or a magnet. Help each child write or draw a simple picture of God on his throne on one side of the card, and write the words “God is in charge” on the other side. Encourage them to tape it to their bedroom door or refrigerator so they can see it each day and remember that God is King.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Daniel 7 is a vision of God’s rule over all the nations of the earth, even when powerful empires seem to dominate the world. The chapter looks forward to the coming of one like a son of man who receives an everlasting kingdom, and it encourages God’s people to stand firm in faith while the kingdoms of this world rise and fall.
When teaching children, avoid trying to explain every detail of the animals and horns, since these images are symbolic and can confuse young learners. Focus instead on the simple truth that God sits on the throne and is in control of everything.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are the King who sits on your throne and rules over everything. When we feel scared or see things that look wrong, help us remember that you are still in charge. Help us trust you every day and live as your people. Amen.
