Ecclesiastes 1 teaches children that the things we do here on earth can feel busy and empty if we forget that God is the one who gives life meaning. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Things in this world come and go, but God stays the same forever, and He is the one who makes our lives matter.
Memory Verse
Ecclesiastes 1:4
One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and slowly sit down while saying the verse, pointing to the floor for “the earth remains forever.” Then have them stretch their arms wide as they say “forever” to show how big God’s faithfulness is.
The Story: Ecclesiastes 1 for Kids
Long ago, a wise king named Solomon lived in the city of Jerusalem. He was the son of King David, and he had more wisdom than anyone else in the city. He called himself the Preacher, because he liked to share what he had learned about life.
One day Solomon looked around at everything people did. Some people worked very hard all day long. Some people built big things and planted big gardens. But Solomon noticed something sad. Every person who worked hard eventually grew old and died, and a new family came to take their place.
He also watched nature. The sun came up in the morning and went down at night, then came up again the next day. The wind blew to the south and then turned around to the north, going around and around. Rivers flowed into the sea, yet the sea never got full. Solomon said to himself, “Everything keeps going around and around, and nothing seems to finish.”
Solomon decided to search for answers. He tried to learn all he could about the world and about being wise. But after all his studying, he said, “Gaining more and more knowledge can bring a lot of sadness too.” He realized that wisdom alone could not fill the empty places in his heart.
Solomon learned that some things in life feel crooked and cannot be fixed by our own hands. He needed to remember that God is the one who holds everything together. Solomon’s searching helped him see that the most important thing is to trust the One who made the sun, the wind, and the sea.
Read It Together
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
(WEB)
Point out the word “vanity,” which in this chapter means something that is empty or does not last, like trying to hold water in your hands. Ask children what kinds of things they have worked hard for that did not last very long.
Ecclesiastes 1:5-7
5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises. 6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
(WEB)
Show children how the sun, the wind, and the rivers keep going in circles. Explain that these things were made by God, and they remind us that He is always at work, even when things seem to repeat over and over.
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
(WEB)
Help children see that Solomon looked at everything under the sun and felt that it was not enough on its own. Explain that this verse invites us to look beyond what we can see and to remember that God gives true meaning to our lives.
Talk About It
- What is something you worked hard on that made you very happy for a while?
- Why do you think the sun and the wind keep going around and around?
- How does it make you feel to know that God never changes?
- What is one thing you can do this week to remember that God is more important than the things you own?
- Who is someone in your life who shows you what it looks like to trust God?
Activity Ideas
Sun, Wind, and Sea Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a circle for the sun, a few curvy lines for the wind, and some wavy lines for the sea. As they draw, talk about how these things keep moving in patterns, and remind them that God made each one. Let children write or draw one word that describes God’s faithfulness at the bottom of their picture.
Around and Around Movement Game
Clear some space in the room so children can move safely. Call out “sun,” “wind,” or “sea,” and have children spin, sway, or wiggle like that thing. Stop the game and ask, “Which thing lasts forever?” Then have everyone freeze and say together, “God lasts forever.”
Take-Home Reminder Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a marker. Cut paper into small strips and write one thing God gives us that lasts, such as His love or His promises, on each slip. Let children decorate the jar and take it home. Encourage them to read one slip each day with their family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ecclesiastes 1 shows that life lived only for what is seen under the sun can feel repetitive and empty. The writer is honest about the weariness of human work, but the broader message of the book points readers back to God as the one who gives meaning and who remains faithful when everything else changes.
With children, avoid overstating the sadness of the chapter. Solomon’s words are honest and sober, but the lesson is not meant to make children feel hopeless. Make sure to end each session by reminding them that God is good, that He is steady, and that He cares about their lives.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You stay the same forever while everything around us changes. Help us remember that You are the one who gives our lives meaning. When we feel tired or confused, help us trust You. Thank You for loving us always. Amen.
