In this lesson, children learn that God can stir up the hearts of people, even a king far away, to help His people go home and build His house. The lesson is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is in charge of every king and every country, and He can move people’s hearts to help do His good work. When we help, we are part of what God is doing.
Memory Verse
Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the LORD’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying…
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with their hands folded, then slowly open their arms wide like a king making an announcement. Say the words together and open your arms on the word “stirred,” so they remember that God is the one who moves hearts.
The Story: Ezra 1 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Jews, were far from home. They had been taken to a land called Babylon, and their beautiful city of Jerusalem lay empty. God had promised through His prophet Jeremiah that His people would one day return home.
Then a new king named Cyrus came to rule the land of Persia. God touched Cyrus’s heart, and he made a big announcement across his whole kingdom. He said, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has told me to build Him a house in Jerusalem. Anyone who wants to go, go and help!”
Many people got ready to make the long trip home. The leaders of Judah and Benjamin got up, and the priests and Levites got up too. God had stirred their hearts, so they wanted to go and rebuild the Lord’s house.
The people who lived near them were kind. They gave silver, gold, animals, and many other gifts to help the travelers on their way. Everyone who wanted to help gave something good.
King Cyrus also brought out the special cups and bowls that had been taken from God’s house long before. He gave them back. A man named Sheshbazzar counted every one of them, and there were more than five thousand gold and silver vessels in all. Sheshbazzar carried them all home to Jerusalem.
Read It Together
Ezra 1:2-3
2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
(WEB)
Point out that King Cyrus said God had given him the kingdoms of the earth and asked him to build a house for God. Ask the children who they think is really in charge of kings and countries.
Ezra 1:5
Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites, all whose spirit God had stirred to go up rose up to build the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem.
(WEB)
Show the children how God stirred the hearts of the leaders, priests, and Levites so they wanted to go. Explain that God can also stir our hearts to want to do good things.
Ezra 1:6
All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.
(WEB)
Point out that the people around them gave many kinds of gifts, all of them willingly. Talk about how giving freely is a way of helping God’s work.
Talk About It
- What do you think it was like for God’s people to be far away from their home for so long?
- How did God show that He was still caring for His people even when they were in a faraway land?
- What is one good thing you could do this week to help someone, the way the people helped the travelers?
- Why do you think King Cyrus gave back the special cups and bowls that were taken from God’s house?
- How can you tell when God is stirring your heart to do something kind?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper Temple
You will need paper, scissors, tape, and crayons or markers. Have each child fold a sheet of paper into a simple house shape and draw a door and windows on it. Let them write “Help Build God’s House” across the front. Hang the finished houses in your classroom as a reminder that everyone can help build God’s work.
Stir the Pot Game
You will need a large bowl or pot, a wooden spoon, and some small objects like toy blocks or crumpled paper. Put the objects in the bowl and have one child stir slowly while the others chant the memory verse. Each child takes a turn stirring, and they can talk about how God stirs hearts to help.
Give and Help Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper, and a pencil. Decorate the jar and place it where the family will see it each day. Each time someone does a helpful act or gives a little money or a toy, they write it on a slip of paper and drop it in the jar. At the end of the month, read the slips together and thank God for the helpers in your home.
Teacher Notes
Ezra 1 shows that God is sovereign over world rulers and can use even people who do not know Him to accomplish His purposes. For adults, the chapter encourages trust that God keeps His promises, even when the timing seems long, and that He often works through the generosity of ordinary people.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always give them what they want when they give to Him or help others. The story is about God keeping His promise to His people, and it is best taught as a picture of God’s faithfulness rather than a formula for reward.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are in charge of everything, even kings and countries. Please stir our hearts to help others and to do good things for You. Help us to be willing and cheerful helpers in our homes, our church, and our world. Amen.
