This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises, even the hard ones about sin and its consequences. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions and one activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps his word. He warned the people of Jerusalem about what would happen if they turned away from him, and he did exactly what he said he would do.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 5:13
“‘Thus my anger will be accomplished, and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest, and I will be comforted. They will know that I, the LORD, have spoken in my zeal, when I have accomplished my wrath on them.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both palms together, then slowly open them wide while saying “God keeps his word.” Repeat it three times, opening your hands a little more each time, so the motion matches the meaning.
The Story: Ezekiel 5 for Kids
God spoke to a prophet named Ezekiel. God told him to take a sharp sword and use it like a barber’s razor to shave off his hair and beard. Then Ezekiel had to weigh the hair carefully, dividing it into three equal piles. This was a strange thing to do, and it was meant to get people’s attention.
Ezekiel burned one pile in the fire inside the city. He struck the second pile with his sword around the city. He scattered the third pile to the wind. A few hairs he tucked safely into the folds of his robe, and even those were not kept forever, because some were thrown into the fire too. Each action showed what would happen to the people.
God explained that the city of Jerusalem had been placed in the middle of other nations. Instead of living by God’s rules, the people had done worse things than the nations around them. God said, “Because you have not walked in my statutes, I am against you.” The people had turned away from the one who loved and protected them.
God made the people’s sin very clear. He said that hard times would come, including famine, sickness and enemies. People would suffer, and many would be scattered far away. The people had been warned, and God was not going to pretend the warning was empty.
At the end of the message, God said that his people would know that he is the LORD. He had spoken these words, and he would make them happen. This is the most important part of the story: God is faithful, even when his message is serious.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 5:5-6
5 “Thus says the Lord the LORD: ‘This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the middle of the nations, and countries are around her. 6 She has rebelled against my ordinances in doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries that are around her; for they have rejected my ordinances, and as for my statutes, they have not walked in them.’
(WEB)
Point out that God chose Jerusalem and set it in a special place. Ask the children to notice that the people had the rules, but they chose to ignore them. Explain that God’s rules were given out of love for his people.
Ezekiel 5:11
Therefore as I live,’ says the Lord the LORD, ‘surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things, and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you. My eye won’t spare, and I will have no pity.
(WEB)
Help the children see that God says he will not spare them because of the sin they chose. Explain simply that God is fair and always tells the truth, even when the truth is hard to hear.
Ezekiel 5:16-17
16 When I send on them the evil arrows of famine that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you. I will increase the famine on you, and will break your staff of bread. 17 I will send on you famine and evil animals, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood will pass through you. I will bring the sword on you. I, the LORD, have spoken it.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God is the one speaking these words of judgment. Emphasize that God says, “I, the LORD, have spoken it,” which means his word is certain and can be trusted.
Talk About It
- What did God ask Ezekiel to do with his hair, and why do you think God wanted him to do something so strange?
- Why did God set Jerusalem in a special place among the other nations?
- How did the people choose to act, and what did God say would happen because of their choices?
- What can we learn from the fact that God always does what he says he will do?
- How can we show God that we want to follow his rules and walk in his ways every day?
Activity Ideas
Three Piles Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple picture of a city wall and then divide the paper into three sections. In each section, have them draw one of the three things God described: fire, the sword, and the wind. Explain that each part of the picture shows God keeping his promise.
Sword and Shield Movement Game
You will need a clear open space and a few soft pillows or cushions. Have the children stand in a circle. Call out “fire,” “sword,” or “wind,” and each child acts out a movement for that word. Use a slow, serious voice for the sword and a swirling motion for the wind. When you finish, remind the children that God always does what he says.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a sticker or crayon. Have each child write one sentence on the card, such as “God always keeps his word.” Encourage them to decorate it with a simple drawing. Ask them to place it on their bedroom door or by their bed so they can read it each morning and remember God’s faithfulness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a serious picture of God’s justice and holiness. The sign-acts, the cutting and burning of hair, show that the people’s sin would bring real consequences. Yet God’s commitment to his word also points to his faithfulness, and the fact that he speaks plainly about sin is itself a form of care for his people.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the violence of the passage or implying that every hardship a child sees is a direct punishment from God. Keep the focus on God being trustworthy and on his desire for people to follow him, rather than on frightening details.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you always keep your word. Help us to listen to you and to follow your rules every day. Please help us to love you and to trust you, even when we do not understand everything. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
