In this lesson, children learn that everything in this world changes and passes away, but God stays the same forever. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Things in this world come and go, but God never changes. When we feel like nothing we do matters, we can remember that God is always with us and always faithful.
Memory Verse
Ecclesiastes 1:4
One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
(WEB)
Teach children to stand up, then slowly sit down while saying “Ecclesiastes 1:4” together. Then have them stomp their feet once for “earth” and point up for “forever.” Repeat the motions until the children can say it with you.
The Story: Ecclesiastes 1 for Kids
A wise man named Solomon wrote this book. He was the son of King David, and he ruled as king over the people of Israel in the city of Jerusalem. Solomon had everything a person could want, so he tried many things to find out what makes life truly meaningful.
Solomon watched the world around him very carefully. He saw people work hard all their lives, and then new people came along to do the same work. He saw the sun rise in the morning and set at night, and then it rose again the next day. He saw the wind blow in circles and the rivers flow into the sea, but the sea never got full.
Solomon also looked for wisdom to understand everything happening under the sky. He studied hard and learned a great deal. But then he said to himself, “Even with all this wisdom, I still feel tired and sad about it all.” He realized that trying to find meaning only in things he could see was like chasing the wind. It never quite caught up to him.
Solomon wrote down what he learned so that others could learn too. He told them that the world changes all the time, and nothing lasts forever in the way we hope it will. Even our hard work does not last forever. That is why Solomon felt so empty when he looked only at the things of this world.
The lesson Solomon was learning is one that points us toward God. Solomon was discovering that the things we build and do cannot give us the lasting happiness our hearts are looking for. Only God is the one who stays the same forever, and His love is the thing that really matters.
Read It Together
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
(WEB)
Point out to the children that Solomon says “vanity” several times. Explain that vanity means something that is empty or does not last. Ask the children what kinds of things they think might feel empty if we only focus on them.
Ecclesiastes 1:5-6
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.
(WEB)
Show the children how the sun and the wind keep going around in circles. Ask them to notice how nature repeats itself every day. Remind them that God made the sun and the wind, and He is the one who keeps them going.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
(WEB)
Explain that Solomon is saying the world often seems to repeat itself. Ask the children to think of one thing that happens over and over, like breakfast or bedtime. Then remind them that God’s love never repeats or runs out, because it is always new and always true.
Talk About It
- What is something you have today that you know will not last forever?
- Why do you think Solomon felt tired even though he had so much wisdom?
- What is something that repeats every day, like the sun rising, and how does it remind you of God?
- How can we spend our time on things that really matter instead of things that pass away?
- When you feel like things are not going well, what can you remember about God that never changes?
Activity Ideas
Sun and Sea Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a sun at the top, a sea at the bottom, and a big circle in the middle with arrows showing the wind going around. Talk together about how these things keep moving but God is still in control. Let them color their pictures and take them home to share with family.
Wind Chase Game
Gather a few paper streamers or light scarves from around the house. Have the children run in a circle while waving the streamers high in the air. Each time they circle back to where they started, have them say, “Everything comes around again, but God always stays.” Play for five minutes and then sit down to talk about the game.
Forever Jar Take-Home
Ask each child to bring home a small jar or cup from the classroom and some dried beans or small stones. Explain that the beans represent things that come and go. Encourage the child to fill the jar with a few beans each day and whenever they put one in, say one thing God never changes. This helps them remember God’s faithfulness throughout the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ecclesiastes 1 presents a sober look at life under the sun, where work, time, and human wisdom can feel repetitive and unsatisfying when viewed apart from God. The chapter invites readers to see the limits of earthly achievement and to look to the Creator for meaning. Read the whole book with the rest of Scripture in view, since the rest of the Bible shows where lasting hope is found.
Avoid suggesting to children that everything in life is sad or meaningless. Solomon’s words are honest about the limits of this world, but children should be encouraged that God gives good gifts and that their work and play matter to Him. Keep the focus on God’s unchanging love rather than on feelings of emptiness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Help us remember that things in this world come and go, but Your love always stays with us. Teach us to put our trust in You and to enjoy the good gifts You give us each day. Amen.
