This lesson teaches children that God’s glory is bright, powerful, and close to His people, even when the world looks confusing. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
God is holy and powerful, and His glory never leaves His people alone. He sees everything, and He is always ready to act for His people. We can trust Him even when things feel strange.
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)
Teach the children to stretch both arms up high like a bright light shining, then slowly bring them down to their sides. Each time they say the verse, they can make the big light shape to remember that God’s glory fills the whole place.
The Story: Ezekiel 10 for Kids
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived far from home, beside a river called Chebar. God showed him a vision of strange living creatures with wheels that were full of eyes. Above them was something bright like a sapphire stone, shaped like a throne. Ezekiel saw that this was a picture of God’s glory.
God spoke to a man dressed in white linen and told him to go in between the wheels. The man was told to take hot coals of fire from among the creatures. He obeyed and carried the coals out over the city. The man did exactly what God said, even though it was a big job.
Then the bright cloud of God’s glory rose up and moved to the doorway of the Lord’s house. The whole house filled with the cloud, and the courtyard was full of God’s shining light. The sound of the creatures’ wings was so loud that people could hear it far away, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.
The creatures and the wheels moved together. When they went, they did not turn. They went straight forward, because the Spirit of God was in them. The glory of the God of Israel stayed above them the whole time, watching over everything. God’s people could not see Him in a simple way, but they could know He was with them.
Ezekiel told the people what he saw so they would know that God was still with them and had not forgotten them. Even when things looked dark, God’s glory was still shining above them. God was still in charge of everything that happened.
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 looked up and saw something bright above the creatures. Ask the children what they think a sapphire stone looks like. Explain that this bright picture reminds us that God is high above everything and is very great.
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 the children that God’s glory moved out from the house and stood above the creatures. Explain that God does not stay in one place when He is with His people. He moves to be with them, and His glory goes with them everywhere they are.
Ezekiel 10:21-22
21 Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. The likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. 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 creatures went straight forward and did not turn away. Teach that God’s plans go straight ahead, and He never changes His mind about His people. We can count on Him to keep going in the right direction.
Talk About It
- What did Ezekiel see above the creatures, and why do you think it was so bright?
- What did God ask the man in white linen to do, and how do you think he felt about the job?
- How did the people know God was close, even though they could not see Him clearly?
- Why do you think God’s glory moved from the house and went out with the creatures?
- When do you feel like God is close to you, and how can you remember that He is always with you?
Activity Ideas
Glory Light Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a yellow or white crayon for shining light. Have each child draw a large circle in the middle of the paper, then draw rays of light coming out from it like the sun. Ask them to draw a simple wheel or a creature around the bright circle. As they draw, remind them that God’s glory is bright and always near His people.
Wheels Within Wheels Game
You will need an open space and a few small objects to act as wheels, like paper plates or cups. Ask the children to form a circle and move together in the same direction, without turning around, just like the creatures went straight forward. Call out “Stop” and “Go,” and have them keep moving together as a team. Explain that they are working together the way the creatures did.
Light at Home Card
You will need a sheet of card stock, a pen, and a flashlight or small lamp. Have each child write the memory verse on the card and decorate the edges with bright colors. Ask them to place the card by a lamp or window at home. Each time they see the light, they can remember that God’s glory is always with them and that He watches over their family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s presence is holy, powerful, and not confined to a single building or place. The glory of God moves with the living creatures and stays above His people, showing that He remains actively involved in the lives of His people even when they are far away from home. The chapter reminds us that God’s purposes move forward steadily and that His presence is a comfort in times of exile and uncertainty.
Avoid overstating the details of the creatures and wheels for children. The vision is symbolic and complex, and young children may get confused or frightened by the strange images. Keep the focus on the bright glory of God, His nearness, and His faithfulness, rather than trying to explain every detail of the vision.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that Your glory is bright and powerful, and that You are always near us. Help us to trust You even when things feel strange or hard. Thank You for going with us everywhere we go, and for watching over our homes and families. Help us to remember that You are with us today and every day. Amen.
