This lesson teaches children that God’s wisdom is worth more than strength, money, or being first, even when people do not notice. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Being wise and kind is more valuable than being strong or famous, because God sees what is good and does not forget it.
Memory Verse
Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up like a scale, one hand higher for strength and the other lower for wisdom. Then slowly lower the wisdom hand and raise the strength hand, and then flip them to show wisdom is the better one.
The Story: Ecclesiastes 9 for Kids
Once there was a small city with only a few people living in it. One day a great king came with his army. He surrounded the city and built big walls of dirt and stone to attack it. The people inside were scared, and it looked like they would lose everything.
In that city lived a poor man. Nobody paid much attention to him because he had no money and no powerful job. But he was wise, and he had a plan that could save the whole city. He spoke up and shared what he knew, and the people listened to him.
Because of his wisdom, the city was saved from the king. The poor man did something very brave and very clever that no soldier could have done. The city lived on, and everyone was safe again.
Yet the story has a sad ending. After the city was saved, nobody remembered the poor man who had saved them. People forgot his name and his good work. The wise man was not thanked or honored.
The teacher of this chapter looked at this and said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” He noticed that people often ignore wise people who are poor and quiet, even though their words are the ones that help the most. Sometimes a good word spoken quietly is worth more than a loud shout.
The chapter also warns us that one person who does wrong can ruin many good things. A little bit of foolishness can spoil a lot of goodness. So we should choose wisdom and care for what is right.
Read It Together
Ecclesiastes 9:13-15
13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
(WEB)
Point out that the wise man was poor and easy to forget, yet he was the one who saved the city. Ask the children to notice how wisdom did what the great king’s army could not do.
Ecclesiastes 9:17
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
(WEB)
Show the children that quiet words can be more powerful than loud ones. Explain that the wise person does not need to shout to be heard, and that God values calm and thoughtful speech.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
(WEB)
Help the children see that whatever they are given to do, they should do it well and with their full effort. Remind them that God wants us to work hard at our tasks, whether big or small, because our work matters to him.
Talk About It
- Why do you think people forgot the poor man who saved the city?
- What is the difference between being strong and being wise?
- How can you show wisdom at home or at school this week?
- Who is someone that people might overlook, and how can we thank them?
- What is one task you can do with all your might today?
Activity Ideas
Wise Walls Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a city with tall walls and a small figure standing inside holding a light bulb or a book to show wisdom. Let them write one kind thing a wise person might say. Display the pictures where the family or class can see them.
Quiet Words Game
Gather the children in a circle and have one child whisper a short, kind sentence to the child beside them. That child passes it along until it reaches the end. Talk about how a quiet message still travels and can make a difference, just like the wise man’s words.
Wisdom Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day, invite your child to write one wise or helpful thing they did, such as sharing a toy or helping with chores, and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together and thank God for the wisdom he gives.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter teaches that life is uncertain and that the same things can happen to good and bad people alike. Yet it also affirms that wisdom is better than strength and that doing our work with diligence and joy is a gift from God. The author invites us to live thoughtfully and gratefully rather than trying to control everything.
With children, avoid overstating the sadness of verses 5 and 6 about the dead. Keep the focus on the positive message that wisdom and kindness matter and that God sees our work, rather than dwelling on death or the uncertainty of life.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for giving us wisdom to choose what is good and right. Help us to see the people around us who are quiet or easy to forget, and help us to thank them. Show us how to work hard and to speak kindly each day. Amen.
