In this lesson, children learn that when we do wrong, we can be honest with God and ask Him for forgiveness, just as Ezra did for his people. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we have done wrong, we can tell God the truth, say we are sorry, and trust that He is listening and cares for us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
(WEB)
Put your hand on your heart when you say the first part, then open both hands up toward heaven for the second part. Let the children do the motions with you three times so the words stick.
The Story: Ezra 9 for Kids
A man named Ezra lived in the land of Persia, and he loved God very much. Some of God’s people, the Israelites, had come back home to Jerusalem after being away for a long time. Ezra was a teacher of God’s Law, and he cared deeply about how God’s people were living.
One day some leaders came to Ezra with sad news. Many of the people had married women from other nations, and they had started to follow the wrong gods. God had given His people special rules to keep them close to Him, and those rules had been broken. The leaders said, “The people have not kept themselves separate from the other nations.”
When Ezra heard this, he was very upset. He tore his clothes and sat down in shock. Other people who loved God gathered around him, feeling sad too. Ezra did not pretend the problem was small. He knew it was serious.
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Ezra got up, knelt down, and lifted his hands to God. He prayed, “My God, I am ashamed. Our sins have grown bigger than our heads.” He did not blame someone else. He said sorry for his people and for himself.
Ezra’s prayer was honest and humble. He reminded God that He had been kind to them even when they had been unfaithful. Ezra trusted that God was still good and still ready to hear them.
Read It Together
Ezra 9:6
And I said, “My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.
(WEB)
Point out that Ezra felt ashamed and went to God with his sins. Ask the children how it feels to tell someone you did something wrong, and remind them that God is always ready to listen.
Ezra 9:9
For we are bondservants; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to set up the house of our God, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
(WEB)
Show the children that even when the people had done wrong, God had not left them. Explain that God still showed His love and kindness to His people, and He helped them keep going.
Ezra 9:13-14
13 “After all that has come on us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, since you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such a remnant, 14 shall we again break your commandments, and join in affinity with the peoples that do these abominations? Wouldn’t you be angry with us until you had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant, nor any to escape?
(WEB)
Help the children see that Ezra was honest about what they had done and that God had been gentle with them. Point out that Ezra did not want to do the wrong thing again.
Talk About It
- What did Ezra do when he heard that God’s people had done wrong?
- Why do you think Ezra was so sad about the wrong things the people did?
- How can you tell God that you are sorry when you have made a mistake?
- What does it tell you about God that He did not leave His people even after they had sinned?
- When is a time you can remember to be honest with God and with the people around you?
Activity Ideas
Hands Lifted in Prayer Craft
You will need construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace one of their hands on the paper and cut it out. On the palm, they can write or draw one thing they want to say sorry to God about. Glue the hand onto a sheet of colored paper to show that they are lifting their hearts to Him, just as Ezra lifted his hands in prayer.
Follow the Leader Prayer Walk
Clear a space in a room or hallway. Have one child be Ezra and kneel down at one end, slowly lifting their hands. The other children follow behind in a line and kneel too, one by one, as if they are coming to God together with honest hearts. Repeat the walk so every child gets a turn to be the leader and to show how humble prayer looks.
Sorry Jar at Home
Gather an empty jar or box and some small slips of paper. Each day this week, have your child write or draw one thing they are sorry for and what they will do differently. Put the paper into the jar and pray together at the end of the week, thanking God that He listens and forgives.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ezra 9 shows that real repentance begins with honesty before God. Ezra does not hide behind excuses or blame. He identifies with his people, confesses their sin as his own, and throws himself on God’s mercy, trusting that He is faithful even when His people have failed.
With children, avoid making this chapter about scaring them into being good. The focus should be on God’s kindness and willingness to hear sorry hearts, not on frightening consequences or on the specific issues of marriage between nations, which are complex and not the main point for young learners.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You listen when we are sorry. Help us to be honest with You about the wrong things we do, and help us to trust that You still love us. Teach us to come to You with open hands and humble hearts. Amen.
