This lesson teaches children that God is far greater than anything we can imagine, and that He is always in control, even when things look strange or frightening. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
God is bigger than anything we can see, and He is always in charge. Nothing is too strange or too scary for Him to rule over.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 1:28
As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
(WEB)
Teach the children to place both hands over their eyes, then slowly lower to the floor as if bowing. Say the words of the verse together while bowing, and remember that Ezekiel fell on his face when he saw God’s glory.
The Story: Ezekiel 1 for Kids
Ezekiel was a priest who lived far away from his home in Jerusalem. He lived by a river in a land called Babylon, because his people had been taken there as captives. He was sad, far from home, and wondering what God was doing. One day, the sky seemed to open up, and Ezekiel saw visions of God.
First, he saw a great storm coming from the north. There was a huge cloud with flashing lightning and a bright glow all around it. Inside the cloud, Ezekiel saw four living creatures. Each creature had four faces and four wings. One face was like a man, one like a lion, one like an ox, and one like an eagle. Their feet shone like polished brass, and they moved fast like lightning. Wherever the Spirit wanted them to go, they went straight forward without turning.
Beside each creature was a wheel. The wheels looked like they were inside each other, and their rims were full of eyes all around. When the creatures moved, the wheels moved with them. Above their heads was a shining, crystal-like floor. Ezekiel heard a sound like rushing water and a great army marching. Then he heard a voice coming from above the crystal floor.
Above the crystal floor, Ezekiel saw a throne that looked like a bright blue stone. Sitting on it was someone who looked like a man, surrounded by glowing fire and a rainbow of light. Ezekiel understood that this was the glory of the Lord. When he saw it, he fell on his face in fear and wonder.
Then Ezekiel heard a voice speaking to him. The voice showed him that God was real and near, even in a faraway land. Ezekiel learned that God was not stuck in one place. He was with His people, even when they were scattered and sad.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 1:1
Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
(WEB)
Point out that Ezekiel was far from home, next to a river, when God spoke to him. Ask the children to notice that God can reach people in any place, even one they never planned to be.
Ezekiel 1:26-28
26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
(WEB)
Show the children the throne and the glory of the Lord. Explain that Ezekiel could not look straight at it, so he fell down. Help them see that God is holy, bright, and worthy of our respect.
Ezekiel 1:19-21
19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. Then the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went. The spirit was to go there. The wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went. When those stood, these stood. When those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
(WEB)
Point out that the creatures and wheels moved together, always following the Spirit. Explain that God’s plans move in perfect order, and He guides everything that happens.
Talk About It
- What do you think Ezekiel felt when he first saw the storm and the bright cloud?
- Why do you think God chose to speak to Ezekiel by the river, far from home?
- What is something that seems big or scary to you, and how can you remember that God is bigger?
- Why did Ezekiel fall on his face when he saw the Lord’s glory?
- How does it help you to know that God is always in charge, even when you do not understand what is happening?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Own Vision
You will need paper, crayons or colored pencils, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a bright cloud with a rainbow, a throne, and the four living creatures as Ezekiel described them. Encourage them to add as many eyes and wings as they like. When they finish, let them explain their picture to the class or to you.
Wheels Within Wheels Game
You will need a open space and a few chairs or cones. Have the children stand in a circle and move together, following one leader who points a direction. The group should move as one, never turning around, just as the creatures went straight forward. Switch leaders often so every child gets a turn.
Take-Home Rainbow Reminder
You will need a sheet of paper, a pencil, and some colored markers or crayons. Ask each child to trace a rainbow arc at the top of their paper and write the words “God is bigger” under it. Encourage them to tape the paper where they will see it each morning, reminding them that God is with them wherever they are.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ezekiel 1 shows that God’s glory is far beyond human understanding, yet He chose to reveal Himself to a prophet in exile. The passage reminds us that God is sovereign over every place and situation, and that His presence is not limited by geography or circumstance. Ezekiel’s response of falling on his face models humble reverence before a holy God.
Be careful not to overstate the symbolism of the creatures and wheels with children, since the text itself describes them in mysterious terms. Focus on the central truth that God is glorious and in control, rather than trying to explain every detail of the vision.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are bigger than anything we can see or understand. Help us remember that You are always in charge, even when we feel far from home or when things seem strange. Teach us to be humble and to trust You every day. Amen.
