In this lesson, children learn that God sees the people who are sad about sin and keeps them safe, even when everything around them is getting worse. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God notices the people who care about what is wrong and who love him. He keeps them safe, and he always keeps his promises, even when judgment comes.
Memory Verse
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
(WEB)
Have the children put one hand on their heart and the other hand over their eyes, then slowly lower both hands while saying the verse together. Ask them to whisper the words, then say them loudly, then say them quietly once more, so the verse stays in their memory from the quiet and the loud parts alike.
The Story: Ezekiel 9 for Kids
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived in a city called Jerusalem a long time ago. The people of Jerusalem had turned away from God and were doing many wrong things. They were hurting each other and filling the land with unfair and cruel actions. God wanted Ezekiel to see what was coming.
In a vision, Ezekiel saw six men come from the north gate. Each man carried a weapon, and one man in the middle wore white linen clothes and carried a writer’s inkhorn at his side. God called to that man in linen and said, “Go through the middle of the city and put a mark on the foreheads of the people who sigh and cry over all the wrong things being done there.”
Then God told the other six men to go through the city and do their work, but they were not to touch anyone who had the mark. Ezekiel was sad and afraid. He fell on his face and asked God whether he would destroy everyone left in Israel.
God answered Ezekiel honestly. The people had sinned a great deal, and God would not ignore it. But the man in linen came back and said, “I have done as you commanded me.” God had kept his promise to protect the faithful ones who grieved over sin.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 9:4
The LORD said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
(WEB)
Point out that God sees the people who sigh and cry over sin. Explain that God looked at their hearts, and their sadness showed that they belonged to him, so he placed a mark of protection on them.
Ezekiel 9:6
Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then they began at the old men who were before the house.
(WEB)
Show the children that God’s judgment was serious and real. Help them see that God is holy and fair, and that the people who had the mark were kept safe from the judgment that came on the rest.
Ezekiel 9:11
Behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, “I have done as you have commanded me.”
(WEB)
Point out that the man in linen reported back that he had done exactly what God asked. Tell the children that God’s instructions are always carried out faithfully, and that God keeps every promise he makes.
Talk About It
- What did the man in linen do that made God’s people safe?
- Why do you think God cared about the people who were sad over sin?
- How can you show God that you care when something is wrong?
- What did Ezekiel do when he felt scared about what God was going to do?
- How do you know that God keeps his promises, even when things are hard?
Activity Ideas
Mark Your Paper With a Cross
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple face on the paper, then add a small mark on its forehead, such as a cross or a star. Talk about how the mark showed that the person belonged to God. Let the children decorate their drawings and take them home as a reminder that God sees and protects his people.
Linen Man Says Ready
Clear a space in the room and choose one child to be the man in linen. Tell the rest of the children to be the city workers. Have the linen man walk around the room and tap a few children on the shoulder, saying, “You have the mark.” Those children stand still and are kept safe. When the leader calls “Done!”, everyone shouts, “God keeps his promise!”
Protected Family Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a few stickers. Write “God sees you” on each card and let the children decorate them with stickers. Encourage them to take the cards home and place them somewhere they will see each day, such as on a bedside table or a fridge. Ask the children to share the cards with their families and explain what God promised to protect.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ezekiel 9 shows that God is both holy and merciful. He takes sin seriously and will judge it, but he also knows who grieves over evil and cares for his own. The mark on the foreheads points to God’s protection of those who turn toward him, and the faithful response of the man in linen shows that God’s purposes are carried out exactly as he says.
Avoid overstating the vision’s details to children. The chapter describes a dramatic and frightening scene, and it is best to focus on God’s justice, his protection of the faithful, and his faithfulness rather than on the violence described.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank you that you see us and know when we are sad about sin. Help us care about what is right and love you with our whole hearts. Keep us safe under your care, and help us trust that you always keep your promises. Amen.
