This lesson teaches children that God sees when leaders make bad choices and that He keeps His promises even when life feels broken. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with time for a story, a memory verse, a few Bible readings, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God is always watching over His people, even when their leaders make sad and hurtful choices. He never forgets what He has promised.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 19:1
“Moreover, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel…
(WEB)
Put both hands on your heart, then slowly lift them up like a lion’s paws. Say the words together while you move, so children connect the sad sound of this lament with a picture they can see.
The Story: Ezekiel 19 for Kids
God gave the prophet Ezekiel a sad song to sing about the leaders of Israel. Israel’s kings were like young lions, strong and powerful. But the story of these lions does not end happily. Ezekiel sang about a mother lioness who raised her cubs in a den full of lions.
One of her cubs grew up strong. He learned to hunt, and he hurt people. Other nations heard about him, and they caught him in a pit. They took him far away to Egypt, where he could not roam free anymore.
The mother lioness waited and hoped. Then she raised another cub, and he also grew strong and fierce. He roared through the land and destroyed cities, and the people were afraid. Other nations surrounded him, trapped him in a net, and carried him off to the king of Babylon.
Then Ezekiel sang about a vine, not a lion. The vine was planted by water, and it grew full of branches and fruit. But God was angry, and the vine was torn up and dried out by a hot wind. Now it sits in a dry, thirsty land, and fire has burned its branches.
Ezekiel’s song was a lament, a sad song that mourns what went wrong. God was showing the people that their leaders had made terrible choices, and the nation was suffering because of it. Yet God was still the One who was telling the story.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 19:2
And say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness. She couched among lions, in the middle of the young lions she nourished her cubs.
(WEB)
Point out that the prophet asks the people what their mother was. Let the children guess the answer, then remind them that God used pictures of animals and plants to help people understand hard truths about their nation.
Ezekiel 19:10-11
10 “‘Your mother was like a vine in your blood, planted by the waters. It was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters. 11 It had strong branches for the scepters of those who ruled. Their stature was exalted among the thick boughs. They were seen in their height with the multitude of their branches.
(WEB)
Show the children how the vine was planted by many waters and grew full of branches. Explain that God planned to bless His people, and He gave them everything they needed to grow strong and fruitful.
Ezekiel 19:12-13
12 But it was plucked up in fury. It was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were broken off and withered. The fire consumed them. 13 Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.
(WEB)
Read these verses slowly and talk about how sad it is when something good is broken. Remind children that even in the middle of sadness, God never stops being faithful to His people.
Talk About It
- What kind of animal did Ezekiel use to describe the leaders of Israel, and why do you think he picked it?
- How did the people of Israel feel when they heard this sad song, and how do you think you would feel?
- What can happen when a leader chooses to do wrong things instead of good things?
- Why is it important to remember that God is still in control even when bad things happen?
- What is one way you can choose to do what is right when someone around you is making poor choices?
Activity Ideas
Lion Cub Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a lion cub, then add a mane and a strong, proud face. Talk together about how the cub grew up and what choices he made. Encourage children to draw a second picture showing a good choice the cub could have made instead.
Lion and Vine Movement Game
Clear a space in the room and ask the children to pretend to be lions, prowling around on their hands and knees. Call out “vine!” and have them stand tall and wave their arms like branches. Then call out “wind!” and have them slowly crouch down and sway like a plant in a dry, hot wind. Repeat the game a few times so children remember the pictures in the story.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card or a piece of paper, scissors, and a pen. Write “God keeps His promises” on the card and let the child decorate it with a simple drawing of a vine or a lion. Encourage the child to keep the card in a pocket or on a bedroom shelf, and to read it aloud whenever they feel worried about something they cannot control.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ezekiel 19 is a lament over the collapse of Judah’s royal house. The lioness and the vine are images for the kings and the nation, showing how leadership failure brings real suffering to the people. The chapter also reminds readers that God takes sin seriously and that His judgment is real, while the broader book of Ezekiel goes on to speak of restoration.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that every hard thing is a direct punishment for specific sins. Focus instead on the truth that God is faithful, that He sees what happens, and that He keeps His word even when His people struggle.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for always watching over us and keeping Your promises. When we see people make hard choices, help us remember that You are still good and still in control. Help us choose what is right, and help us trust You every day. Amen.
