This lesson teaches children that God protects His people even when the world looks frightening, and that God’s seal on His people means they belong to Him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, though older children can handle more of the vivid details in the story.
Big Idea
God is in control, and He takes care of the people who belong to Him, even when scary things are happening all around.
Memory Verse
Revelation 9:4
They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads.
(WEB)
Teach children to hold both hands over their foreheads like a little seal, then slowly open their arms wide and say “God’s people, safe in Him.” Repeat it three times together, adding a bigger motion each time.
The Story: Revelation 9 for Kids
John, who wrote down what he saw in a special dream from God, saw a star fall from the sky to the earth. This star was given a key to a deep, dark hole called the pit. When the star opened the pit, thick smoke rose up like a giant furnace, and the sun and the air became dark.
Out of the smoke came huge swarms of locusts. These were not ordinary bugs. They had stings like scorpions, and they looked like horses ready for battle, with faces like people and hair like women. Their wings made a roaring sound like many chariots rushing to war. The locusts had a special job. They were told, “Do not hurt the grass or the trees. Only hurt the people who do not have God’s seal on their foreheads.”
The locusts could not kill the people. Instead, they were allowed to hurt them for five months. Their sting was painful, like the sting of a scorpion. During those days, people would look for death, but they could not find it. They would want to die, but death would run away from them.
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet. A voice came from the golden altar before God and said to the angel, “Let loose the four angels who are tied up at the great river Euphrates!” These four angels had been waiting for this exact hour. A large army of horsemen came out, so big that John heard how many there were, two hundred million.
These horses had heads like lions, and fire, smoke, and sulfur came out of their mouths. Their tails were like snakes with heads of their own. A third of all people were killed by these three plagues. Sadly, the rest of the people still did not turn away from their wrong ways. They kept worshiping statues made of gold, silver, and wood, and they did not change how they lived.
Read It Together
Revelation 9:1-2
1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit.
(WEB)
Point out that even in a dark and smoky scene, the story starts with a star that was given a key by God. Ask children who they think is really in charge of the key, and remind them that nothing happens without God knowing about it.
Revelation 9:14-15
14 Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind.
(WEB)
Show children how the angels were ready for “that hour and day and month and year.” Explain that God knows the exact time for everything, even the hard things, and that He does not get surprised.
Revelation 9:20-21
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can’t see, hear, or walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
(WEB)
Point out how the people kept doing what was wrong and did not turn back to God. Help children see that God wants us to turn toward Him and choose what is good, rather than following things that cannot help us.
Talk About It
- What part of this story made you feel the most worried, and what helped you feel calmer?
- Why do you think God told the locusts to protect the grass and trees but to hurt only the people without His seal?
- How do you think John felt when he saw all of these strange things in his dream?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show that you belong to God?
- Why do you think the people in the story did not want to turn away from the things that could not help them?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Seal
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons or markers, and a small sticker or a penny to trace. Ask them to draw a special mark or design on a paper forehead cutout that shows they belong to God. Let them decorate it with their favorite colors and words like “God’s child.” Hang the finished paper seals on the wall as a reminder that God knows exactly who His people are.
Locust Freeze Game
Clear a space in your room or classroom and call out “locusts” to start the game, with children buzzing and moving like swarms. When you call out “seal,” they freeze in place, showing how God’s people are protected and safe. Play a few rounds, letting children take turns being the leader who calls the commands.
Take-Home Prayer Card
Cut index cards and write “God knows who I am and keeps me safe” on each one, then give one to every child. Ask them to tape it inside a lunchbox, closet door, or bedroom mirror. Encourage families to read the card together each night before bed, talking about one thing that makes them feel safe with God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is part of a vision given to John in the book of Revelation, written to encourage believers who faced hardship. The passage shows that God is sovereign over every frightening event, and that His people are marked as belonging to Him, a truth that gives steady hope in uncertain times.
With children, avoid overstating the imagery as a literal forecast of specific events or dates, since this can cause unnecessary fear. Keep the focus on God’s control, His protection of His people, and the invitation to trust Him, rather than on trying to match the details to today’s news.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You know everyone who belongs to You. When things seem scary, help us remember that You are in charge and that You keep us safe. Help us trust You every day and turn toward You when we make mistakes. We love You, and we know You love us too. Amen.
