This lesson teaches children that money, beautiful things and busy trade can never make us safe, but God is always faithful. It is made for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses and the activity.
Big Idea
Things that look strong and shiny can still fall apart, but God never does. Our hope belongs to him, not to what we have or what we can buy.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 27:3
And tell Tyre, ‘You who dwell at the entry of the sea, who are the merchant of the peoples to many islands, thus says the Lord the LORD: “You, Tyre, have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
(WEB)
Stand tall with your arms stretched up like a proud ship, then slowly sink your hands down low to show how a great thing can fall. Say the verse as you move, so children remember that proud things can crash.
The Story: Ezekiel 27 for Kids
Long ago, there was a rich and famous city called Tyre. It sat on the edge of the sea, and its harbor was full of ships. Tyre was like a busy market where people from many lands came to buy and sell.
God sent his prophet Ezekiel with a sad song to sing about Tyre. The song was called a lament, and it was sung for something that had been lost. The people of Tyre thought their city was perfect and beautiful. They were proud of their wealth.
Tyre’s ships were built with the best wood from faraway forests. Their sails were made of fine linen and bright colored cloth. Sailors, workers and traders from many nations were part of Tyre’s great fleet. Tyre had gold, silver, horses, spices and precious stones.
But God knew that pride would bring trouble. The strong ships would be tossed by a great storm in the middle of the sea. The sailors would climb down from their ships, cry and throw dust on their heads. Everyone who had traded with Tyre would be sad, and they would say, “Who is like Tyre? Who can be like her now?”
The chapter ends with a warning. Tyre trusted in its riches and its beauty, but none of those things could keep it safe. God is the one who lasts forever, and he is the only one we can truly trust.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 27:4
Your borders are in the heart of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty.
(WEB)
Point out that Tyre was proud of how beautiful it looked. Ask children what kinds of things make people feel proud today, such as toys, clothes, or being the best at something.
Ezekiel 27:26-27
26 Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas. 27 Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners, your pilots, your repairers of ship seams, the dealers in your merchandise, and all your men of war, who are in you, with all your company which is among you, will fall into the heart of the seas in the day of your ruin.
(WEB)
Show children how the great ships were broken by the wind in the sea. Explain that strong-looking things can still be destroyed when trouble comes, but God is never broken by trouble.
Ezekiel 27:36
The merchants among the peoples hiss at you. You have become a terror, and you will be no more.”’”
(WEB)
Tell children that the people who once admired Tyre were now shocked by its fall. Point out that God’s words always come true, and that what he says is trustworthy.
Talk About It
- What did the city of Tyre think made it strong and beautiful?
- Why do you think it is easy to feel proud of the things we have?
- How did the sailors and traders feel when Tyre fell into trouble?
- What is one thing that can never be broken, even in a storm?
- How can we show that we trust God more than we trust our toys or our stuff?
Activity Ideas
Paper Ship Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Let each child fold a simple paper boat and decorate its sail with bright colors, like the cloth of Tyre’s ships. While they work, talk about what they would want their ship to carry, and remind them that God is the one who keeps us afloat.
Storm and Anchor Game
Clear a space in the room and have children walk around like sailors on a sea. Call out “Storm!” and let them shake and wobble. Then call out “Anchor!” and have them all freeze and grip an imaginary rope with both hands. Explain that God is our anchor when everything around us feels like it is shaking.
Take-Home Treasure Box
Give each child an empty shoebox or small cardboard box, along with stickers or crayons. Ask them to decorate it and write or draw one thing they want to trust God with this week. Encourage them to show their box to a parent at home and tell them about it.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a warning against placing trust in wealth, status and impressive achievements. Tyre was a powerful trading center, and it believed its success belonged to its own strength. Ezekiel reminds us that every earthly thing can fail, and that God alone is the true foundation of our lives.
With children, avoid suggesting that money or nice things are always bad, or that God punishes every rich person. Focus on the simple truth that pride and trust in possessions are dangerous, and that God is faithful and steady when everything else changes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank you that you are strong and faithful. Help us not to be proud of the things we have, but to trust you above everything. When the storms come, be our anchor and keep us safe in your hands. Amen.
