In this lesson, children learn that God is powerful and holy, and that he is far greater than anything we can imagine. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is bigger and more amazing than anything we can see. He is in charge of everything, and he is worthy of our worship.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 1:28
As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
(WEB)
Have children hold both arms up high over their heads, then slowly bow down with their faces to the floor. Say the verse together as you move, rising up on the words about glory and bowing low on the words about falling down.
The Story: Ezekiel 1 for Kids
Ezekiel was a priest who lived far away from his home in Jerusalem. He was living by a river in a land called Babylon, because the people of Judah had been taken away as captives. One day, while Ezekiel was sitting by the river, something amazing happened. The sky opened up, and Ezekiel saw visions of God.
First, a great storm cloud came rolling in from the north. Lightning flashed inside it, and there was a bright light all around. In the middle of the cloud, Ezekiel saw four living creatures. Each one had four faces and four wings. One face looked like a man, one looked like a lion, one looked like an ox, and one looked like an eagle. Their feet shone like polished brass.
Next to each creature was a wheel that looked like it was made of shining gemstone. The wheels were so tall that they were frightening to look at. The creatures moved all together, and the wheels moved with them. Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went. Their wings made a sound like rushing water, like a great crowd of people shouting all at once.
Above the creatures, Ezekiel saw a huge, shining platform that looked like crystal. Above that was a throne made of sapphire. Sitting on the throne was someone who looked like a man, shining with fire and bright light. The light around him looked like a rainbow shining after a rainstorm. Ezekiel knew he was seeing the glory of the Lord.
Ezekiel was so overwhelmed that he fell down on his face. Then he heard a voice speaking to him. God was about to call Ezekiel to be his messenger, even though Ezekiel was far from home and in a strange land.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 1:4
I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of the middle of it as it were glowing metal, out of the middle of the fire.
(WEB)
Point out how Ezekiel first saw a storm wind and a great cloud coming from the north. Ask the children what they think it would feel like to see a storm like that, and remind them that God is greater than any storm.
Ezekiel 1:26-28
26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
(WEB)
Show the children that God’s throne was above everything else Ezekiel saw. Explain that the bright, rainbow-like light showed how holy and glorious God is, and that Ezekiel bowed low because he was amazed.
Ezekiel 1:24
When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army. When they stood, they let down their wings.
(WEB)
Point out the loud sound of the wings, like rushing water and a great army. Explain that when we hear big, loud sounds, we can remember that God has power over all creation and that he is always in control.
Talk About It
- What did Ezekiel see first when the sky opened up?
- How do you think Ezekiel felt when he saw God’s glory?
- Why do you think God showed Ezekiel such amazing things?
- What is something in God’s creation that makes you feel small in a good way?
- How can we show God that we respect how powerful and holy he is?
Activity Ideas
Four Faces Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a circle in the middle of the page, then add four smaller faces around it: a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. Let them add wings to each face. Explain that these four faces show that God’s creatures are unique and powerful.
Wheels Within Wheels Game
Gather the children in a circle and give each one a paper plate. Have them stand still until you say “wheels,” then they spin their plates around while moving in a circle. Explain that Ezekiel’s wheels moved together, just as the creatures moved together under God’s direction.
Glory Rainbow Take-Home
You will need a piece of cardstock, colored markers, and a small mirror. Have each child draw a rainbow on the cardstock and write “God is glorious” underneath. Encourage them to place the mirror in a sunny window and watch the light shine like Ezekiel’s vision. Ask them to share this reminder with their family at home.
Teacher Notes
Ezekiel’s vision shows that God is far beyond human understanding, yet he chose to reveal himself to a man in exile. For adults, this passage teaches that God’s glory is majestic and holy, and that his presence can come to us even in unexpected places. It also reminds us that God calls ordinary people to serve him.
Avoid overstating the symbolism of the creatures and wheels when teaching children. The details are rich and mysterious, and the main point is simply that God is powerful and glorious. Keep the focus on God himself rather than trying to explain every image.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, we are amazed at how great and powerful you are. Thank you for showing us your glory, and help us to remember that you are always in control. Teach us to bow down and worship you with our whole hearts. Amen.
