This lesson teaches children that God is the Most High King who rules over every kingdom, even the powerful kings of the earth. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, Bible reading, and activity.
Big Idea
God is in charge of everything, even the most powerful kings, and He can teach anyone to humble themselves and trust Him.
Memory Verse
Daniel 4:3
How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is from generation to generation.
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart and lift them up high like a tree reaching for the sky, saying the words slowly together. Then spread your arms wide, showing how God’s kingdom goes on and on forever. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Daniel 4 for Kids
King Nebuchadnezzar was the ruler of Babylon, a great and powerful city. One night he had a dream that frightened him, and he could not understand what it meant. He called all of his wise men, but none of them could tell him the meaning of the dream. At last, Daniel was brought in, a young man who trusted God.
In the dream, the king saw a huge tree growing in the middle of the earth. Its branches reached all the way to the sky, and animals and birds found shelter under it. Then a holy messenger came down from heaven and called out, telling them to cut the tree down, leaving only the stump in the ground.
Daniel understood that the tree was the king himself. Daniel told the king, “You have grown strong and great, but the Most High God is the one who rules over all kings. Be sorry for your pride, and show kindness to people who are poor.” Daniel was honest, even though it was hard news.
A year later, the king was walking on his palace roof, proud of the city he had built. He said, “Look at Babylon, which I built by my own power!” Right then, a voice from heaven said that his kingdom had been taken from him, and he would live like an animal for a time.
That very hour, it happened. The king was driven away from people and ate grass like an ox. His hair grew long and his nails grew like claws. After a long time, the king looked up to heaven, and his mind came back to him. He praised God, saying that God’s kingdom lasts forever.
God gave the king back his kingdom, and the king became even greater than before. He praised the King of heaven, because all of God’s works are true and His ways are fair.
Read It Together
Daniel 4:17
“‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’
(WEB)
Point out that God rules over the kingdoms of people and gives them to whoever He chooses. Ask the children to notice that the verse says God sets up even the lowest of men, showing that He is in control of everyone.
Daniel 4:34-35
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”
(WEB)
Show the children how the king looked up to heaven and praised God after he was humbled. Explain that nothing can stop God’s hand, which means no one can take His power away.
Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
(WEB)
Point out the words praise, extol, and honor, and ask the children what they think those words mean. Explain that the king praised God for His truth and justice, and that God can bring down anyone who walks in pride.
Talk About It
- What did King Nebuchadnezzar say about his city that made God unhappy?
- How did God help the king learn that He is the one in charge?
- What is one thing you can do to show you are not proud?
- Why do you think Daniel was brave to tell the king the hard truth?
- How can you praise God for being in charge of everything?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Tree Craft
You will need a paper plate, green crayons or markers, brown paper for the trunk, glue, and scissors. Have each child draw a tree with lots of leaves on the paper plate, then glue a brown paper trunk at the bottom. As they work, talk about how the tree in the dream grew tall and strong, and remind them that God is taller and stronger than any king.
Tree Freeze Game
Play music and have the children dance freely around the room like the wind blowing through a field. When the music stops, they freeze and stand tall like the tree in the dream, with arms stretched high. Explain that when the king was proud, God brought him low, and when he humbled himself, God lifted him up again.
Take-Home Thankful Leaves
Cut out several leaf shapes from green construction paper, and give one to each child to take home. Ask them to write or draw one thing they are thankful God rules over, such as their family, their food, or the sky. They can tape the leaves to a window or the refrigerator as a reminder that God is in charge of everything.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is sovereign over every earthly power, including the most powerful rulers. It also shows His patience, because He gave Nebuchadnezzar time to humble himself before restoring him. The chapter reminds us that pride is dangerous and that true honor belongs to the King of heaven.
Be careful not to make the story sound like a simple punishment for bad behavior, or suggest that every hardship is a direct result of pride. Keep the focus on God’s rule and His mercy, and let children see that God is faithful and good to the humble.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we know that You are the King over everything, and nothing is too big for You. Help us to be humble like Daniel and to trust You every day. Thank You for always being in charge, and for loving us always. Amen.
