In this lesson, children learn that God’s glory is not stuck inside a building, and that God sees everything that happens in his city. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is always present and always sees what is happening, even when people turn away from him. His glory can go anywhere he chooses.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 10:4
The LORD’s glory mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory.
(WEB)
Have children stand, then slowly raise both arms up over their heads like a cloud lifting. Let them slowly lower their arms and sit down as you say the verse together, pointing up each time you say “glory.”
The Story: Ezekiel 10 for Kids
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived far away from Jerusalem, beside a river called Chebar. One day God showed him a vision of the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel saw strange living creatures called cherubim, and wheels that were full of eyes. Above them was something that looked like a throne made of shining blue stone.
God spoke to a man dressed in white linen. He said, “Go in between the wheels and take coals of fire. Scatter them over the city.” The man went in, and Ezekiel watched him take the fire. The whole inner court was filled with a bright cloud.
Then something amazing happened. The glory of the Lord rose up from the cherubim. It moved to the door of the temple and stood there. The whole building filled with the cloud, and the sound of the wings was so loud that it could be heard all the way to the outer court.
The glory of God did not stay in one place. It moved over the cherubim and went out of the temple, all the way to the east gate. Ezekiel saw the glory of the God of Israel rise up above the city. God was showing Ezekiel that he was leaving the place where his people had been unfaithful.
Ezekiel told the people what he saw. Each creature had four faces, and they all moved straight forward together. Ezekiel knew that God was there with his people, even in this strange and sad moment. Children, this shows us that God sees everything and never stops being with his people.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 10:1
Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
(WEB)
Point out that Ezekiel saw a throne above the cherubim. Explain that this picture tells us God is the ruler over everything, even things that seem strange to us.
Ezekiel 10:18-19
18 The LORD’s glory went out from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. 19 The cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went out, with the wheels beside them. Then they stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
(WEB)
Show children how the glory of God moved from the temple. Explain that God chose to leave, and that he is free to go wherever he wants to go.
Ezekiel 10:22
As for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves. They each went straight forward.
(WEB)
Point out that the living creatures all went straight forward together. Explain that God’s plans always move in the right direction, even when things around us feel confusing.
Talk About It
- What did Ezekiel see when he looked at the throne above the cherubim?
- Why do you think God’s glory left the temple in Jerusalem?
- What are some places where people can be close to God today?
- How does it make you feel to know that God sees everything you do?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show God that you want to stay close to him?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Wheel Within a Wheel
You will need paper, pencils, crayons, and a cup or plate to trace around. Trace two circles on paper, one smaller inside the other. Ask children to draw eyes all around the outer wheel, just as Ezekiel described. Talk about how God sees everything, and let children color their wheel with bright colors.
Cloud Walk Game
Clear some space in a room or yard. Ask children to walk in a line, one behind the other, like the living creatures that moved together. Call out “stand” and “move,” and have children freeze and then follow the leader. Explain that the creatures always moved as one, just as God’s people should follow him together.
Take-Home Glory Cloud
You will need cotton balls, a small piece of paper, and glue. Give each child a sheet of paper and a few cotton balls. Ask them to glue the cotton balls into a cloud shape and write the words “God is always with me” underneath. Encourage children to hang the picture where they will see it each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s presence is not limited to a building or a single place. The glory of the Lord moved out of the temple as a sign of judgment, yet the vision also reveals that God remains sovereign over every direction and every creature.
Be careful not to overstate the details of the vision to children, such as the exact meaning of each creature or wheel. Focus on the simple truths that God is present, that he sees everything, and that he is in charge of all things.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you are always with us and that you see everything we do. Help us to remember that you are near, even when we cannot see you. Keep our hearts close to you each day, and help us follow you faithfully. Amen.
