In this lesson, children learn that God set apart special places and special people for holy work, and that he still cares about what is holy. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the activity and prayer.
Big Idea
God is holy, so he made special places and special people to belong to him. We can honor God by keeping our hearts ready for him.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 42:20
He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, the length five hundred, and the width five hundred, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall, then slowly draw a big square in the air with both hands, the way a wall goes all the way around. Say “Holy, set apart!” as you finish the square. Repeat it together three times until the motion and words stick.
The Story: Ezekiel 42 for Kids
A man took the prophet Ezekiel on a walk around a huge building. It was the house of God, a holy place where people worshiped. The man had a tool called a measuring reed, and he used it to measure every part of the building. Ezekiel was amazed at how big and careful everything was.
The man showed Ezekiel many rooms along the walls of the courtyard. Some rooms were on the north side and some on the south side. These rooms were not for everyday use. They were holy rooms, set apart for the priests who served God.
The man explained that the priests would eat the most holy gifts in these rooms. They would also keep special offerings there. The man said, “The place is holy.” Holy means it belongs to God and is kept apart for his special work.
When the priests finished their service, they had to take off their special clothes before going back to the outer courtyard. They left those holy garments in the rooms and put on ordinary clothes. This way the holy things stayed in the holy place, and the people stayed safe.
At the end, the man measured the whole area on all four sides. Each side was five hundred reeds long, and a wall went all the way around it. The wall showed the difference between what was holy and what was common. God wanted his people to see that he is set apart.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 42:13
Then he said to me, “The north rooms and the south rooms, which are before the separate place, are the holy rooms, where the priests who are near to the LORD shall eat the most holy things. There they shall lay the most holy things, with the meal offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy.
(WEB)
Point out that these rooms were holy because they were set apart for God’s work. Ask the children what they think it means for something to be set apart. Help them see that God’s holiness is special and good.
Ezekiel 42:14
When the priests enter in, then they shall not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but they shall lay their garments in which they minister there; for they are holy. Then they shall put on other garments, and shall approach to that which is for the people.”
(WEB)
Show the children that the priests changed clothes before leaving the holy place. Explain that God wanted his people to be careful and respectful when they came near him. Tell them that God still loves to see us come to him with care.
Talk About It
- What is one place you think of as special, and why does it feel that way?
- Why did God want the priests to leave their holy clothes in the holy rooms?
- What does it mean that God is holy, and how is he different from us?
- How can you show respect for God when you pray or go to church?
- What is something in your everyday life that you could give to God as something special?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Holy Building
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a building with a wall around it, rooms along the sides, and a small sign that says “Holy to the Lord.” Let them color it bright and add their own details. Talk together about what makes the building special.
Measuring Reed Walk
You will need a long piece of string or a wooden spoon to act as a measuring reed, plus a clear floor space. Have one child carry the spoon and walk slowly around the room, counting each side out loud. Each time they finish a side, say “Holy, set apart!” Let everyone take a turn so they feel how the man measured the whole building.
Holy Keepsake at Home
You will need a small box or jar and a few slips of paper. Ask your child to write or draw one thing they will set apart for God this week, such as a kind word or a prayer time. Place the slips in the box and keep it on the table. Each evening, open the box together and thank God for one thing from the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows God giving careful, detailed instructions for his house and his priests. It reminds us that God is holy, meaning he is completely pure and set apart, and that his people are called to reflect that holiness. The chapter also points forward to the bigger truth that God would one day make a way for his people to come close to him.
Avoid overstating the measurements or the architecture to children, since the chapter’s details are symbolic and mostly about holiness and separation. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is set apart and that he invites us to honor him.
A Prayer to Close
Holy God, we thank you that you are set apart and good. Help us honor you with our words, our actions, and our hearts. Teach us to bring our best to you every day. Amen.
