This lesson teaches children that God can turn dry, empty places into places full of life and joy, and that he helps weak and scared people become strong. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the activity, and the prayer.
Big Idea
God makes dry and sad places into beautiful places full of life. He can make us strong when we feel weak or afraid, because he is always with us.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 35:4
Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong. Don’t be afraid. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.
(WEB)
Hold both hands up like a strong tree, then stand tall and stomp your feet once. Say the words together while you stand strong, so children can feel what it means to be brave.
The Story: Isaiah 35 for Kids
Long ago, a prophet named Isaiah told the people of Israel a happy message from God. He spoke about a hot, dry desert where nothing could grow, and he said that one day it would be full of flowers and green grass. Even the driest land would burst into color and song.
Isaiah also talked about people who were sick or hurt. He said that the blind would see again, the deaf would hear, and the people who could not walk would leap like deer. These were people who had felt left out and weak for a long time. God had not forgotten them.
Isaiah wanted the people to be brave. He told them to make their tired hands strong and their shaky knees firm. He said to tell the frightened people, “Be strong. Don’t be afraid. Your God will come and save you.” These were words that brought hope to everyone who heard them.
In the story, water breaks out in the wilderness and streams flow through the desert. The burning sand becomes a pool, and thirsty ground becomes a spring. Animals that once were scary, like lions, are not found on the road. God makes a special road called the Holy Way for his people to walk home.
The end of the chapter is full of joy. God’s people come back to Zion with singing, and they are happy forever. Their sadness and sighing run away, and gladness fills their hearts.
Read It Together
Isaiah 35:1-2
1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. 2 It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the LORD’s glory, the excellence of our God.
(WEB)
Point out how the dry desert is glad and blooms like a rose. Ask children to name a place they know that could look more beautiful with God’s help.
Isaiah 35:5-6
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
(WEB)
Show how God helps people who cannot see, hear, or walk. Explain that God cares about every person, even those who are different from us.
Isaiah 35:8
A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there.
(WEB)
Point out the road called the Holy Way, made for those who walk with God. Explain that God gives his people a clear path to follow.
Talk About It
- What kind of place in this story sounded the most surprising to you, and why?
- How do you think the blind man felt when he could finally see?
- What is something that makes you feel weak or scared, and how can God help you feel strong?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to have a special road to walk on?
- How can you help someone who feels left out, the way God helped the people in this story?
Activity Ideas
Paint a Blooming Desert
You will need paper, paints or crayons, and a little cotton ball or sponge for texture. Ask children to paint a dry, brown desert at the bottom of the page. Then have them add bright flowers, green grass, and blue water streams, so the picture shows how God turns dry places into something beautiful.
Strong Hands and Knees
You will need a clear space in the room and a timer or a song. Call out simple movements like making fists, flexing arms, and standing on tiptoe. Each time, say “Be strong, don’t be afraid” together, so children practice feeling strong while they move.
Take-Home Holy Way
You will need a sheet of paper, a pencil, and a few stickers or crayons for each child. Ask children to draw a winding road from the bottom to the top of the page and label it “The Holy Way.” They can take it home and tell their family how God makes a path for his people.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Isaiah 35 is a message of hope and restoration. It describes God bringing new life to a barren land and healing to people who are broken, weak, or afraid. The chapter points forward to God’s faithful rescue of his people, which Christians see as fulfilled in the good news of Jesus.
When teaching children, be careful not to promise that every sick person will be healed right away or that every hard place will change quickly. Instead, focus on the truth that God is with us, he is strong, and he cares for us. This keeps the lesson honest and comforting.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you for making dry places bloom and for making weak people strong. Help us to be brave when we feel scared, and help us to remember that you are always with us. Thank you for the road that leads us home to you. Amen.
