This Ezekiel 3 Sunday school lesson teaches children that God gives us his words to share, even when people don’t want to listen. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God asks us to share his words with others, and we can trust him to help us do it even when it is hard.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 3:10
Moreover he said to me, “Son of man, receive in your heart and hear with your ears all my words that I speak to you.
(WEB)
Have children cup both hands over their ears, then slowly open their hands as they say the verse together. Then have them place one hand on their heart and tap it twice, reminding them that God’s words go into our hearts and our ears.
The Story: Ezekiel 3 for Kids
God spoke to a man named Ezekiel and called him “son of man.” God told Ezekiel to eat a scroll with writing on it. Ezekiel obeyed, and the scroll tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth.
Then God sent Ezekiel to his own people, the house of Israel. God said, “Go and speak my words to them.” Many of the people were stubborn and did not want to listen to God. Ezekiel might have been scared to speak to people like that.
But God told Ezekiel not to be afraid. God made Ezekiel’s face and forehead strong, like a rock that cannot be moved. God said, “Do not be afraid of them, and do not be dismayed at their looks.”
The Spirit of God lifted Ezekiel up and carried him to the people who lived by the river Chebar. Ezekiel sat among them for seven days, feeling very overwhelmed. At the end of those seven days, God spoke to him again.
God said Ezekiel was like a watchman standing on a wall. A watchman must warn people when danger comes. God told Ezekiel to warn people about their wrong choices so they could turn back to God and live.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 3:1-3
1 He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat the scroll. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, cause your belly to eat, and fill your bowels with this scroll that I give you.” Then I ate it; and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
(WEB)
Point out that God gave Ezekiel his message before he spoke a single word to the people. Explain that children learn God’s words by taking them in first, the way Ezekiel took in the scroll.
Ezekiel 3:8-9
8 Behold, I have made your face hard against their faces, and your forehead hard against their foreheads. 9 I have made your forehead as a diamond, harder than flint. Don’t be afraid of them, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.”
(WEB)
Show children that God made Ezekiel strong enough to face hard people. Explain that God gives us courage when we feel nervous about telling others about him.
Ezekiel 3:17-19
17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me. 18 When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die;’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man will die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand. 19 Yet if you warn the wicked, and he doesn’t turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”
(WEB)
Help children see that God made Ezekiel a watchman who cared about people. Explain that sharing God’s words is a way of loving people enough to tell them the truth.
Talk About It
- What did Ezekiel’s scroll taste like, and what do you think God wanted him to learn from that?
- How do you think Ezekiel felt when God told him the people might not listen?
- What did God promise Ezekiel when he felt scared?
- Who is someone in your life who needs to hear about God’s love?
- What is one way you can be a watchman who cares about others this week?
Activity Ideas
Scroll Craft
You will need two paper towel tubes, construction paper, markers, and tape. Have children write a short Bible word or a kind message on a strip of paper, roll it around a tube, and tape it closed. Explain that God’s words are sweet like honey and worth sharing with others.
Watchman Walk
Set up a few chairs as a “wall” in the room and have one child stand as the watchman. Call out “danger!” and have the watchman act out warning the others by raising a hand and calling out a kind message. Talk about how God asks us to warn people gently and with love.
Words to Share Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Ask them to draw a picture of someone they know and write one thing they could tell that person about God. Children can take the card home and place it on the fridge as a reminder to share God’s love this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God calls his messengers to speak his words faithfully, whether people respond or not. Ezekiel’s responsibility was to speak, while the outcome was in God’s hands. Adults can take comfort that God strengthens those he sends.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that people who ignore God’s message are guaranteed to face punishment, since the chapter focuses more on the messenger’s faithfulness than on the details of judgment. Keep the emphasis on God’s courage and care for the messenger.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for giving us your words to share with others. Help us be brave when we feel nervous, and help us speak with kindness and love. Give us courage to tell people about you, just as you helped Ezekiel. Amen.
