This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises and will one day wipe away every tear. Isaiah 25 is a joyful song about God rescuing his people and throwing a great feast on his mountain. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God always keeps his promises, and one day he will make everything sad turn into joy. He is the one we can trust completely, because he is strong, kind, and faithful.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 25:8
He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord the LORD will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for the LORD has spoken it.
(WEB)
Cup both hands in front of your eyes, then slowly sweep them down your cheeks like wiping away tears. Do this together each time you say the verse, and the motion will help children remember that God wipes away tears.
The Story: Isaiah 25 for Kids
Long ago, a prophet named Isaiah spoke God’s words to the people of Judah. He had seen hard times, with enemy nations making life frightening and sad. But God had given Isaiah a message of hope that he wanted everyone to hear.
Isaiah began by praising God. He said, “Lord, you are my God, and I will praise your name.” He remembered that God had done amazing things long ago, and that God always keeps his word. Isaiah knew God could be trusted.
Isaiah talked about the poor and the needy. He said God was like a strong tower where they could hide, a shade on a hot day, and a shelter in a storm. When enemies came roaring like a windstorm against a wall, God kept his people safe. Isaiah wanted the children of Judah to know that God is always close.
Then Isaiah described a wonderful day on God’s mountain. God would prepare a huge feast for all the peoples of the world, with the finest food and the best drinks. The sad covering over the nations would be taken away. Death itself would be swallowed up forever. Isaiah said, “The Lord will wipe away tears from every face.”
On that day, the people would look up and say, “This is our God! We waited for him, and he saved us! We will be glad and rejoice!” God’s people would have something to sing about. Isaiah wanted everyone to join in the happy song.
Isaiah also said that the proud nation of Moab would be brought low. Their pride would sink like straw in a muddy pond. God is the one who makes the proud fall and the humble stand tall. The story ends with God bringing down every high wall and lifting up his people.
Read It Together
Isaiah 25:1
The LORD, you are my God. I will exalt you! I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago, in complete faithfulness and truth.
(WEB)
Point out how Isaiah starts by saying “you are my God.” Ask the children to say something they can thank God for today, and remind them that praise can begin with simple words of thanks.
Isaiah 25:4
For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall.
(WEB)
Point out the pictures of a strong tower, a shade, and a shelter. Let the children name times they felt safe, such as being held by a parent or snuggled under a blanket, and connect those to how God protects his people.
Isaiah 25:9
It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is the LORD! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”
(WEB)
Point out the words “We have waited for him, and he will save us.” Talk about waiting, and how God’s people can be patient while they trust that he will keep his promise.
Talk About It
- What is something good that Isaiah said God would do for his people?
- How do you think someone feels when God wipes away their tears?
- What is one thing you could thank God for before you go to sleep tonight?
- Why do you think God wants his people to be glad and rejoice?
- When have you had to wait for something, and how did you feel while you waited?
Activity Ideas
Tear-Catcher Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a happy face on one side of the paper and a sad face with tears on the other. Then have them draw a big mountain with a feast on top, and write or draw one thing God will make happy. Let them take the picture home to remind them of God’s promise.
Mountain Feast Freeze Dance
You will need some upbeat music and an open space. Have the children dance like they are celebrating on God’s mountain. When the music stops, they freeze and say a word of praise, such as “You are our God!” Repeat the game several times, letting each child choose a new dance move.
Tear-Wiping Bookmark Take-Home
You will need cardstock or thick paper, scissors, a hole punch, and a piece of yarn. Cut the paper into bookmark strips and let each child decorate one with a mountain and a sun. Punch a hole at the top, tie on the yarn, and write “God wipes away tears.” Encourage the family to read Isaiah 25:8 together at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Isaiah 25 speaks of God as faithful, powerful, and caring toward the poor and the needy. The chapter looks ahead to a future feast and the defeat of death, and Christians have long read these promises as pointing toward the hope of resurrection. The passage calls us to trust God’s character even when life feels heavy.
Avoid overstating the details of the future feast or the timeline of these events to children. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is faithful and will one day bring joy and comfort to all his people.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, you are our God, and we thank you for keeping your promises. Thank you for being our strong tower and our safe shelter. Help us wait for you with joy, and wipe away our tears when we are sad. Amen.
