In this lesson, children learn that God wants each person to turn back to him and live, and that no one has to carry the sins of their parents. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is fair, and he always invites every person to turn away from wrong and come back to him. We are each responsible for our own choices, and God loves us enough to help us change.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord the LORD. “Therefore turn yourselves, and live!
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, then slowly turn them around and bring them close to their chest, like turning around to walk back home. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and let them turn with you each time you repeat it.
The Story: Ezekiel 18 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Israel had a saying. It went like this: the parents ate sour grapes, and the children’s teeth felt the sting. They said it to explain why bad things happened to them. They thought they were suffering for what their parents had done.
God sent his prophet Ezekiel to tell them that this was not true. God said that every person belongs to him, both parents and children. Each one is responsible for his or her own choices. A son does not have to carry the wrong that his father did, and a father does not have to carry the wrong that his son does.
God described a good person. This person was fair to others, shared bread with the hungry, gave clothes to those who had none, and kept God’s ways. God said that person would live. God also described someone who did bad things, like cheating and hurting others. That person would face the results of his own choices.
Then God said something kind. If a bad person stopped doing wrong and started doing what is right, God would not remember his old sins against him. God said, “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Would I not rather that he turn from his way and live?”
God told the people to turn away from their wrong and make themselves a new heart and a new spirit. He wanted them to come back to him. God’s way is fair, and he always gives people a chance to change.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul who sins, he shall die.
(WEB)
Point out that God says every person belongs to him. Tell the children that God made each of us and cares about each one of us, just as a parent cares about a child.
Ezekiel 18:20
The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.
(WEB)
Explain that each person is responsible for his or her own choices. Children do not have to pay for the mistakes of their parents, and parents do not carry the blame for what their children choose.
Ezekiel 18:23
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord the LORD; “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
(WEB)
Show the children that God does not enjoy punishing people. He wants them to turn back to him and live. Talk about how God is patient and kind when we make mistakes.
Talk About It
- What is something good you can do this week to help someone who needs help?
- Why do you think God wanted each person to take responsibility for his own choices?
- How does it feel to know that God gives us a chance to change when we do something wrong?
- What is one thing you could do differently when you make a mistake, so you can turn back to God?
- How can you show the children around you that God’s way is fair and kind?
Activity Ideas
Turn-Around Heart Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large heart and cut it out. On one side, they can write or draw something they want to turn away from, like being unkind. On the other side, they draw something they want to turn toward, like helping others. Talk about how we can turn our hearts back to God.
Walk Back Home Game
Set up a path with chairs or pillows in a room. Have children start at one end, walk toward a “wrong” pile on one side, then turn around and walk back to the “home” base. Each time they turn around, have them say Ezekiel 18:32 together. This helps them practice the verse while they move.
Family Turn-Around Chart
Take a sheet of paper and divide it into two columns. Label one column “Turning Away” and the other “Turning Back.” Over the week, invite your child to add examples from their day. Review the chart at dinner and thank God together for helping us turn back to him when we make mistakes.
Teacher Notes
Ezekiel 18 teaches that God judges each person by his own choices, not by the choices of parents or ancestors. It also shows that God delights in people turning back to him and receiving life. Adults can take comfort that God’s character is patient, fair, and eager to restore those who return to him.
Avoid telling children that they will never face consequences for wrong choices, or that God’s forgiveness depends on how good they are. Keep the focus on God’s invitation to turn back to him and his faithful love, rather than on earning anything.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you made each of us and you care for every one of us. Help us turn away from the wrong we have done and come back to you with our whole hearts. Thank you that you are fair and kind and always ready to welcome us home. Amen.
