This lesson teaches children that God cares about fairness, honest weights, and giving back to Him and to others. Children ages 5 to 11 can learn it in 20 to 30 minutes using a simple story, a short memory verse, and hands-on activities.
Big Idea
God wants us to be fair and honest, and He wants us to give Him the first and best part of what we have. When we do right by others, we honor God.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 45:9
“‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Let it suffice you, princes of Israel: remove violence and plunder, and execute justice and righteousness; dispossessing my people,” says the Lord the LORD.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat, palms up, like you are carrying a heavy basket. Then slowly lift them together while you say the verse. The motion helps children remember that God wants us to carry justice and fairness carefully to everyone.
The Story: Ezekiel 45 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were going to live in a new land. God gave them a plan for how to share it. He said that a special holy part of the land would belong to Him, and it would be used for the priests who served at the Temple.
God also gave the rulers, called princes, a job to do. He wanted them to stop being unfair. Some princes had been taking things from ordinary people and pushing them out of their homes. God spoke to them clearly, and He said, “Let it be enough. Stop taking what is not yours.”
God told the princes to use honest scales when they bought and sold grain, oil, and other goods. Every measure had to be true and the same for everyone. A cheating scale is like a lie you can hold in your hand, and God does not want His people to lie or cheat.
God also set up special days when the people were to bring gifts to Him and remember what He had done for them. The people were to celebrate the Passover in the first month, and they were to bring offerings to make their hearts right with God. Each gift showed that they belonged to Him and trusted Him.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 45:1
“‘“Moreover, when you divide by lot the land for inheritance, you shall offer an offering to the LORD, a holy portion of the land. The length shall be the length of twenty-five thousand reeds, and the width shall be ten thousand. It shall be holy in all its border all around.
(WEB)
Point out that God’s people gave Him a special holy portion first. Ask the children what it means to give God the first and best part of something, and how that is different from giving only what is left over.
Ezekiel 45:10
“You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath.
(WEB)
Show the children that God says His people should use just balances. Explain that fair weighing and measuring means treating other people honestly, even when no one is watching. Ask them where else in life fairness matters, like sharing toys or taking turns.
Ezekiel 45:17
It shall be the prince’s part to give the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the drink offerings, in the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the Sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the meal offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.”
(WEB)
Point out that the prince had a job to provide gifts for worship and for the people. Tell the children that leaders and grown-ups have important jobs to take care of others. Ask who helps take care of them at home or at church.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to be pushed out of your home by someone who was being unfair?
- Why do you think God cared so much about honest weights and measures?
- What is one way you can give God the first and best part of your day?
- How can you show fairness to a brother, sister, or friend this week?
- Why is it important for leaders to treat people justly and not take what belongs to others?
Activity Ideas
Balance Scale Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a ruler. Ask each child to draw a simple balance scale with two pans. On one side, they draw something they can give to God, like a song, a kind word, or a drawing. On the other side, they draw something they can share fairly with someone else. Talk together about how a balanced scale shows fairness.
Fair Share Game
You will need a bag of small snacks or pieces of paper with numbers, and a few cups. Divide the children into small groups. Give each group the same amount of items, and ask them to share them so each child gets an equal share. Stop to talk about how it felt when the sharing was fair and when it was not.
Take-Home Honesty Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper, and a pen or pencil. Have each child write one way they were fair or kind to someone during the week and put the note in the jar. Encourage families to read the notes together at dinner. This helps children remember that God is pleased when we practice fairness and honesty every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares deeply about justice, honesty, and worship in everyday life. It reminds us that how we treat others, and how we handle what belongs to God, matters to Him. Leaders are called to care for people rather than exploit them.
Avoid overstating the details of the land measurements, the Temple layout, or the exact amounts of grain and oil to children. Keep the focus on God’s heart for fairness, honesty, and giving. The specifics of ancient measurements can be explained later for older children if they ask.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being fair and true. Help us to be honest in everything we do and say. Show us how to give You our best and to share fairly with others. Help us to care for people the way You care for us. Amen.
