This lesson teaches children that God takes away our sin and dresses us in forgiveness, even when we feel dirty and unworthy. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes away our sin and gives us clean clothes. When we say sorry, He forgives us and makes us new, just as He did for Joshua the high priest.
Memory Verse
Zechariah 3:4
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”
(WEB)
Hold both arms out in front of you, then slowly bring your hands together and wrap them around your body as if putting on a warm coat. Say “clean clothes” as you do it, so children link the motion to God covering us with forgiveness.
The Story: Zechariah 3 for Kids
Long ago, God showed the prophet Zechariah a vision. In it, Joshua the high priest stood before God’s angel. Joshua was the leader who helped the people worship God in the temple, and he was a very important man.
But Joshua was wearing filthy, dirty clothes. Standing next to him was Satan, the enemy who loves to accuse God’s people. Satan wanted to say that Joshua was not good enough to serve God.
God Himself spoke up for Joshua. “The LORD rebuke you, Satan!” God said. He reminded everyone that Jerusalem was His chosen city and that Joshua had been like a stick pulled out of the fire, saved from being burned up.
Then God’s angel told the people standing nearby, “Take the filthy clothes off him.” Joshua had done wrong, but God said, “I have taken your sin away from you.” Then God gave Joshua rich, beautiful clothes to wear.
Joshua’s head got a clean turban, and he was dressed in clean garments. Everyone could see that God had made him new. God promised Joshua that if he kept walking in God’s ways, he would be given an important place to serve.
God also said He would bring His servant, the Branch, and that He would remove the sin of the land in a single day. God promised a day when everyone would be safe and peaceful, sitting under their own vine and fig tree.
Read It Together
Zechariah 3:1-2
1 He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the LORD’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Yes, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”
(WEB)
Point out that Satan is the accuser, but God is the one who answers for His people. Ask children who they think is stronger in this picture, and let them point to the words that show God defending Joshua.
Zechariah 3:3-5
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. 4 He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.” 5 I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and the LORD’s angel was standing by.
(WEB)
Show children how the filthy clothes are removed and replaced with clean ones. Explain that this is a picture of God taking away our sin and giving us a fresh start, which is something we cannot do on our own.
Zechariah 3:10
In that day,’ says the LORD of Armies, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’”
(WEB)
Help children picture the peaceful future God promises, where everyone rests safely under their own vine and fig tree. Remind them that God keeps His promises even when they are waiting for them to come true.
Talk About It
- What do you think it felt like for Joshua to stand in dirty clothes in front of God?
- Why do you think God rescued Joshua instead of letting Satan win the argument?
- How does it feel to know God can take away the wrong things we have done?
- What does it mean to you that God gives us clean clothes instead of dirty ones?
- What is one way you can walk in God’s ways this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Clothes Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a simple outline of a person and cut it out. Let them color a set of dirty clothes on one side and clean, bright clothes on the other. Talk about how God swaps our dirty clothes for clean ones.
Clean Clothes Game
Set out two bowls, one with some old, muddy-looking scraps of paper or cloth and one with clean ones. Have children take turns running to the bowls, swapping a dirty scrap for a clean one, and returning. Pause to remind them that God does this for our hearts.
Take-Home Reminder
Give each child a small card with a picture of a clean shirt or a turban. Ask them to tape it to their bedroom door or their bathroom mirror. Each time they see it, they can say a short prayer thanking God for clean clothes that cover our sin.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Zechariah 3 shows that God is the one who defends His people against the accusations of Satan. Joshua’s filthy clothes picture our sin, and God’s gift of clean garments pictures the forgiveness and new standing that He gives us. The chapter also points forward to God’s promise to send His servant, the Branch, and to remove sin in a single day.
Avoid overstating the symbolism to children by claiming that every object in the vision has a specific one-to-one meaning. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God forgives and restores, and let the more complex imagery be explored later as they grow.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for taking away our sin and giving us clean clothes. Help us remember that You defend us and make us new. Teach us to walk in Your ways every day. Amen.
