This lesson teaches children that God sees who loves Him and who grieves over wrong, and He keeps His people safe. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sees the people who are sad about sin and who love Him, and He takes care of them. He notices every heart that longs for what is right.
Memory Verse
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)
Have children place one hand over their heart, then slowly point to the sky with one finger. Say the verse together, pausing each time you reach the words about God seeing, and let them point toward the sky each time.
The Story: Ezekiel 9 for Kids
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived in the city of Jerusalem long ago. The people there had turned away from God and were doing many terrible things. The land was full of violence, and many people said that God could not see what was happening.
One day, Ezekiel heard a loud voice calling. It told men who were in charge of the city to come forward, and six men came from the north gate. Each one held a weapon for destruction in his hand. With them was another man dressed in white linen, who carried a writer’s inkhorn at his side. Ezekiel watched them stand beside the bronze altar.
Then God’s glory rose up from the place where the cherubim were and moved to the entrance of the temple. God spoke to the man in linen and said, “Go through the city and put a mark on the foreheads of the people who sigh and cry over all the wrong that is being done.” That was the man’s job: to find the people who grieved over sin.
After that, God told the other six men to go through the city and strike, without sparing anyone who did not have the mark. They began at the temple, where the leaders stood. Ezekiel fell on his face and cried out, asking God whether He would destroy everyone left in Israel.
God answered that the people had done very wrong and believed He did not see them. He said He would bring what they had done back on their own heads. Then the man in linen came back and reported, “I have done as You commanded me.” God had kept His promise to mark those who loved Him.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 9:3
The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.
(WEB)
Point out that God’s glory moved from its place to the temple doorway. Explain that God was getting ready to act, and that He was never far from His people even when they had forgotten Him.
Ezekiel 9:5-6
5 To the others he said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him, and strike. Don’t let your eye spare, neither have pity. 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)
Help children notice that God told the men not to come near anyone with the mark. Explain that God protects those who belong to Him, and that this shows His care and faithfulness.
Ezekiel 9:8
While they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, “Ah Lord the LORD! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
(WEB)
Show children how Ezekiel prayed honestly, fell on his face, and asked God a hard question. Tell them that bringing our questions and feelings to God in prayer is always right.
Talk About It
- What did the man in linen have to do, and why do you think God chose him for that job?
- How do you think the people who sighed over the wrong felt while everyone around them was acting badly?
- What does it tell you about God that He saw every heart in Jerusalem?
- Why do you think Ezekiel fell on his face and asked God a question instead of just staying quiet?
- How can you show God that you care about doing what is right, even when others around you do not?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Mark of Faithfulness
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple mark, such as a small cross, a heart, or a star, on a piece of paper. Explain that the mark shows God knows who belongs to Him, then have them tape the drawing to a bedroom door or lunch box.
Sky-Pointing Freeze Game
You will need an open space and no special supplies. Call out “Sigh and cry!” and have children droop their shoulders and make sad faces. Then call out “God sees you!” and have them quickly stand tall and point up to the sky. Repeat several times, reminding them that God notices every heart.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards or cut paper, and a marker. Write the words “God sees my heart” on one side and let each child decorate the other side. Encourage them to take the card home and read it aloud at bedtime with their family, reminding them that God sees and cares for them.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is holy and keeps close watch on the hearts of His people. He is grieved by sin and draws a line between those who mourn it and those who go along with it. It also shows that God keeps His promises, and that Ezekiel’s honest prayer is an example of faithful intercession.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the violence in this chapter or suggesting that God will treat every child the way the chapter describes. Focus on God’s care for those who love Him and on His faithfulness, and handle the judgment sections gently and with age-appropriate language.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You see our hearts and know when we love You. Help us to care about doing what is right and to be sad when we see wrong. Keep us close to You and remind us that You always take care of Your children. Amen.
