In this Daniel 6 Sunday school lesson, children learn that God keeps His people safe and that we can keep praying to Him even when others tell us not to. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the memory verse, and the activity.
Big Idea
Daniel kept praying to God even when it was dangerous, and God took care of him. We can trust God and keep talking with Him no matter what people say.
Memory Verse
Daniel 6:23
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
(WEB)
Ask the children to put both hands together, palms touching, like they are praying. Then have them slowly open their hands wide on the words “no kind of harm,” and close them again on “trusted in his God.” Do the motions together three times.
The Story: Daniel 6 for Kids
A long time ago, Daniel lived in the land of Babylon, where a king named Darius ruled. Darius was so pleased with Daniel that he planned to put Daniel in charge of the whole kingdom. Daniel was honest and careful, and he always did his work well.
Some of the other leaders were jealous of Daniel. They looked for something bad he had done, but they could not find anything. So they made a plan. They went to the king and said, “Make a new law. For thirty days, no one may pray to any god or man except you, O king. Anyone who breaks this law will be thrown into the den of lions.”
King Darius liked the idea and signed the law. But Daniel did not stop praying. Three times every day he knelt down by his open window, facing toward Jerusalem, and he prayed and thanked God, just as he always did.
The jealous men saw Daniel praying and ran to tell the king. King Darius was very sad, because he liked Daniel. He tried all day to find a way to save him, but the law could not be changed. So the king said, “Your God, whom you serve so faithfully, will save you.” Then Daniel was put into the den of lions, and a big stone was rolled over the opening.
That night the king could not sleep. Early in the morning he ran to the den and called out, “Daniel, can your God save you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel, and the lions did not hurt me.” The king was overjoyed, and Daniel was lifted out safe and sound, because he had trusted in his God.
Read It Together
Daniel 6:10
When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
(WEB)
Point out that Daniel prayed the same way he always had, even though a new law was in place. Ask the children what it means to be faithful when it would be easier to stop.
Daniel 6:16
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
(WEB)
Show the children that the king hoped God would rescue Daniel, even though the king himself had felt forced into this decision. Explain that God can be trusted even when the people around us are unsure.
Daniel 6:22
My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
(WEB)
Point out that Daniel told the king the reason he was safe: God had sent His angel and Daniel had done nothing wrong. Remind the children that God takes care of His people.
Talk About It
- What did Daniel do every day, even when he knew a new rule said he should stop?
- How do you think Daniel felt when he was put into the den of lions?
- Why do you think the king was so sad when he had to throw Daniel in?
- What is one thing you can pray about this week, even if it feels hard?
- How did God show that He was taking care of Daniel?
Activity Ideas
Lions Den Window Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a small window on a sheet of paper and cut along three sides so it opens like a door. Behind the window, they can draw a lion, a praying person, or an angel. Encourage them to tell the story as they open and close the window.
Lions Den Freeze Game
Choose one child to be Daniel and a few others to be lions. The lions walk around slowly making soft growling sounds. When you call “Pray!”, Daniel kneels down with hands folded, and everyone else freezes. Then count to five and let the lions “sleep” while Daniel prays. Switch roles so every child has a turn.
Prayer Window at Home
You will need a cardboard box or a piece of paper, a pencil, and a small bowl or jar. Ask your child to write or draw one thing they want to pray about on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. Let them choose a special time each day, like after breakfast, to open the jar and pray about one item together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that faithfulness to God can cost us something, yet God remains faithful to us. Daniel’s steady prayer life was not a show of bravado but a settled habit of trust. The passage also shows that God can work through unexpected people, including a king who was not a believer.
With children, avoid suggesting that prayer is a magic tool that always prevents danger. Some faithful people in Scripture have suffered greatly. Keep the focus on God’s character and His presence with us, rather than promising that He will always rescue us from every hard situation.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are with us every day, just like You were with Daniel. Help us to keep talking to You when things feel hard, and help us to trust You to take care of us. Thank You for loving us and listening to our prayers. Amen.
