This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, that He sees the faithful, and that He will one day make everything right. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the memory verse, and one activity.
Big Idea
God sees people who love and trust Him, and He will make all things right in the end. We can wait for Him with hope and kindness.
Memory Verse
Malachi 4:2
But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands and hold them in front of their chests, then slowly open their arms wide like a sunrise. Say “healing in its wings” as your arms spread out. Practice it together three times so the motion carries the words.
The Story: Malachi 4 for Kids
A long time ago, God spoke through a prophet named Malachi to the people of Israel. Many of them had stopped caring about God. Some were treating others unfairly, and some were acting as if God did not see what they did. Malachi reminded them that God was watching and that He had not forgotten them.
God told the people that a day was coming when the proud and the wicked would be like dry straw. That day would burn like a hot oven, and nothing would be left of them. The people who had been faithful to God had nothing to fear from that day. Instead, they had something to look forward to.
For those who loved God’s name, God promised something bright and warm. He said the sun of righteousness would rise, bringing healing like a bird spreading its wings over its young. These people would feel so free and happy that they would jump like calves let out of a barn. God wanted His people to know that He would set everything right.
God also reminded the people to remember the law He had given through Moses. He wanted them to keep His instructions in their hearts. Then He promised to send a messenger named Elijah before that great day came. Elijah would help families love each other again. Parents would turn toward their children, and children would turn toward their parents. God’s people would be ready for Him.
Read It Together
Malachi 4:1
“For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble; and the day that comes will burn them up,” says the LORD of Armies, “that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
(WEB)
Point out that God describes the day He is coming as a furnace. Explain that the word “stubble” means dry plants that burn quickly. Tell the children that God is fair, and He will judge all wrong. Ask them how it feels to know that God is always fair.
Malachi 4:5-6
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God cares about families. Point out how He wants hearts to turn toward one another. Ask the children to think of one person in their family they can show love to this week.
Malachi 4:3
You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says the LORD of Armies.
(WEB)
Explain that God sees the wicked and the faithful, and He keeps His promises to both. Help the children see that trusting God means we do not have to take revenge ourselves. God is the one who makes things right.
Talk About It
- What did God promise to do for the people who loved His name?
- How do you think the people felt when they heard that the sun of righteousness would rise with healing?
- Why do you think God wanted families to love each other again?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show that you trust God is watching?
- How does it help you to know that God will make everything right in the end?
Activity Ideas
Paper Sunrise Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a sun in the corner of the paper and then draw a small bird under it with wings spread wide. Have them write or draw one way they can show love to someone at home. Let them take their picture home to remind them of God’s healing promise.
Calf Jump Game
Clear an open space in the room and have the children stand in a line. Explain that the faithful people in the story leaped like calves set free. Call out “Sunrise!” and let the children jump and spin like happy animals. Then call “Stubble!” and have them freeze like dry straw. Play a few rounds and talk about how God’s people can rejoice in Him.
Family Turn-Around Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a pen. Write “Turn toward each other” on the front of each card and let each child decorate it. Encourage them to give the card to a family member at home with one kind act attached. Ask them to report back next week about how the act was received.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Malachi 4 closes the Old Testament with a picture of God’s justice and mercy together. It reminds believers that God will judge wickedness and vindicate those who fear His name. The promise of a sun of righteousness points forward to hope fulfilled in Christ, and the reference to Elijah prepares readers for the coming of God’s messenger.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the timing or details of the coming day. Children may become fearful if the judgment is described too vividly, so keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and love for His people.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for watching over us and keeping Your promises. Help us love You and trust You every day. Help us show love to our families and friends. We know You will make everything right in the end. Amen.
