This lesson teaches children that God wants our hearts, not just our outward actions, and that we should turn away from anything that takes God’s place. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants all of our hearts. We should not let anything, like a favorite toy or a made-up god, take the place of loving God first.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 14:6
“Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Return, and turn yourselves from your idols! Turn away your faces from all your abominations.
(WEB)
Teach children to put both hands on their chest, then slowly turn their whole body away from a pretend pile of toys, then turn back to face the teacher. Say “Turn back to God!” as they turn around together.
The Story: Ezekiel 14 for Kids
God spoke to a man named Ezekiel, who was a prophet. Some leaders of Israel came and sat down in front of him. They looked like they wanted to hear from God, but their hearts were full of idols. Idols are statues or things people bow down to instead of God.
God said to Ezekiel, “These men have put their idols in their hearts. They keep bad things right in front of their faces, and still they come to ask me for help.” God did not want to be ignored like that. He wanted the people to turn away from their idols and come back to him.
God told Ezekiel to speak to the people. He said, “Turn back to me! Turn away from your idols and all the bad things you do.” God promised that he would answer people who came to him with their whole hearts. He wanted his people to be his people, and for him to be their God.
Then God talked about some very serious things that could happen to a land that turned away from him. He mentioned hunger, wild animals, and war. God then said that three good men named Noah, Daniel, and Job could only save themselves by their own goodness. They could not save their children or others. Each person must choose to love God for themselves.
At the end, God promised that some people would be left alive. These people would come out and show what God had done. God said, “You will see their way and their doings, and you will know that I did not do these things without a reason.”
Read It Together
Ezekiel 14:3
“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I be inquired of at all by them?
(WEB)
Point out that the men had put their idols in their hearts. Ask the children what kinds of things might get in the way of loving God, such as toys, games, or wanting to be popular.
Ezekiel 14:11
That the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God,” says the Lord the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Show children that God wants his people to stop wandering away and to be his people. Explain that God loves us and wants us to stay close to him.
Ezekiel 14:22-23
22 Yet, behold, there will be left a remnant in it that will be carried out, both sons and daughters. Behold, they will come out to you, and you will see their way and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought on it. 23 They will comfort you, when you see their way and their doings; then you will know that I have not done all that I have done in it without cause,” says the Lord the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out that God left some people alive who would show what God had done. Explain that even when things are hard, God keeps his promises and does nothing without a good reason.
Talk About It
- What is something people might put in their hearts before God, and how can we tell when that happens?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to turn away from their idols and come back to him?
- How can we show God that he is first in our hearts during an ordinary day at school or at home?
- Why do you think each person has to choose to love God for themselves?
- What can we do when we notice we have turned away from God and want to come back?
Activity Ideas
Heart Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large heart and write or draw one thing they love in it. Then ask them to think about whether God has the biggest place in their heart. Let them keep the heart on their desk or bedroom wall as a reminder.
Turn Around Game
You will need a few toys or small objects and a open space in the room. Set the objects in a pile at one end. Have children stand facing the pile, then call out “Turn to God!” so they turn around and walk to the opposite wall. Repeat a few times, adding a fun twist like hopping or walking backward.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card and a pencil for each child. Ask them to write “I will turn to God” on the card and draw a small heart beside it. Encourage them to place the card on their bedside table or by the front door so they see it each day. Ask them to tell a family member what the card means.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God looks at the heart, not just the outward appearance of worship. Adults can see that every person is responsible before God for their own choices and devotion. The chapter also shows that God’s judgment is serious, but that he always keeps his promises and his purposes stay good even in hard times.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will punish them whenever they do something wrong. Keep the focus on God’s love and his desire for a close relationship with his people, rather than on fear of frightening events from the chapter.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for loving us and wanting our whole hearts. Help us to keep you first in our lives and to turn away from anything that takes your place. Thank you that you always keep your promises. Help us to come back to you whenever we wander. Amen.
