This lesson teaches children that God always does what He says, even when people do not want to listen. It is made for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a memory verse, a Bible reading, and an activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises. What He says will happen, and we can trust Him to do it, even when it seems hard to believe.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 12:25
For I am the LORD. I will speak, and the word that I speak will be performed. It will be no more deferred; for in your days, rebellious house, I will speak the word, and will perform it,” says the Lord the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat, then clap them together slowly on the word “perform.” Ask the children to say the words with you while they make the motion. Repeat it three times, a little faster each time, so the motion and the words stick together.
The Story: Ezekiel 12 for Kids
God spoke to a prophet named Ezekiel and told him to get ready to move, as if he were leaving his home. The people of Israel had stopped listening to God, and they did not believe that anything bad would happen to them. God wanted them to see a picture of what was coming, so Ezekiel was going to act it out right in front of them.
Ezekiel packed his bags during the day, where everyone could see him. Then, when the sun went down, he dug a hole through the wall of his house with his own hands. He carried his things out through the hole in the dark and put them on his shoulder. He covered his face so he could not see the land around him.
The people came to Ezekiel and asked him, “What are you doing?” Ezekiel told them that he was a sign. He said that God would do to Jerusalem what Ezekiel had just done, and the people would be taken far away to a new land. God said, “I will speak, and the word that I speak will be performed.”
Some of the people had been saying, “Those days are a long way off, so we don’t need to worry.” God told them that the time was not far away and that every word He had spoken would come true. He did not want them to wait for the message to change.
God also told Ezekiel to eat and drink in a shaky, worried way to show how scared the people of Jerusalem would be. God promised that a few people would be left and would tell the other nations about God. Everyone would know that He is the Lord.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you dwell in the middle of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see, and don’t see, who have ears to hear, and don’t hear; for they are a rebellious house.
(WEB)
Point out that the people had eyes and ears but would not see or listen to God. Ask the children what it looks like when someone can hear but chooses not to listen. Help them notice that God still wanted these people to pay attention.
Ezekiel 12:9-10
9 “Son of man, hasn’t the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’ 10 “Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel among whom they are.”’
(WEB)
Show how the people asked Ezekiel a question, and then God told him what to say back. Explain that when people ask us about God, we can answer with the true words God gives us. We do not have to make up our own answers.
Ezekiel 12:28
“Therefore tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “None of my words will be deferred any more, but the word which I speak will be performed,” says the Lord the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Point out the words “none of my words will be deferred,” which means nothing will be put off or delayed. Remind the children that God does not forget His promises or wait too long to keep them. He always keeps His word on time.
Talk About It
- What did Ezekiel do to show the people what was going to happen?
- Why do you think the people did not want to listen to God?
- How did it feel for Ezekiel to carry his things in the dark where people could see him?
- What is one promise someone has made to you that they kept?
- Why is it good to know that God always does what He says?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Picture of Ezekiel’s Sign
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw Ezekiel carrying a bag on his shoulder through a hole in a wall, with the sun going down behind him. Let them add the word “perform” or a small picture of a promise they know God kept. Hang the drawings where everyone can see them during the week.
Word Freeze Game
You will need a small open space and a timer or a clock with a second hand. Call out “Ezekiel’s bag!” and have the children pretend to carry something heavy on one shoulder. When you say “God will perform it!” they should freeze and hold the pose for five seconds. Keep the game going for five minutes and let the children take turns calling out the words.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card and a marker for each child. Have the children write or draw one thing God has promised, such as “God is always with me,” and tape the card to their bedroom door or bathroom mirror. Ask them to read it aloud each morning for one week. Encourage them to tell a family member what the card says.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s word is certain. Ezekiel’s strange actions were a living message to a people who had grown careless about God’s warnings. The chapter also reminds us that God speaks truthfully and does not delay His purposes, even when people treat His warnings as nothing more than a saying.
Avoid suggesting to children that God is quick to punish or that every bad thing is a direct sign of His anger. The chapter is about a specific judgment on a specific people in a specific time. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His truthfulness, not on frightening images.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You always keep Your word. Help us listen when You speak and trust You even when we cannot see what is coming. Help us to be people who tell the truth and keep our promises too. Amen.
