Ezekiel 18 teaches children that God is fair, that each person is responsible for their own choices, and that anyone can turn back to God and live. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is fair, and every person can choose to turn away from wrong and turn back to God. Our choices are our own, and God always welcomes us back.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord the LORD. “Therefore turn yourselves, and live!
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands together, then slowly turn them palms up and open them wide, like a door swinging open. Say “turn and live” with each motion so the picture sticks.
The Story: Ezekiel 18 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel had a saying. They said, “The parents ate sour grapes, and now the children’s teeth hurt.” They were blaming their troubles on the choices their parents had made. It was as if they thought they could not change anything about their own lives.
God sent the prophet Ezekiel to set them straight. God said, “I am the one who made every person, parents and children alike. Each one belongs to me.” God did not want them to keep using that old saying. Each person would be judged for what that person did.
Then God told a story about a good man. This man was fair to others, shared his bread with people who were hungry, and gave clothes to people who had none. He did not cheat anyone or take what was not his. God said that this man would surely live.
God also told about the man’s son. If that son chose to do wrong, stealing and hurting people, then the son would be responsible for his own wrong choices. The good father’s goodness would not cover for the bad son, and the bad son’s sins would not be placed on his good father.
Then came the best part of the story. God said, “If a wrong person turns away from his sins and starts doing what is right, he will live. I will not remember the wrong things he did before.” God said, “I do not enjoy seeing anyone die. I want them to turn back and live.”
So God gave the people a loving invitation. “Turn away from your wrongs. Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Turn back to me and live!”
Read It Together
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul who sins, he shall die.
(WEB)
Point out that God says every person belongs to him. Explain that this means each child is precious to God and that God knows each person’s heart and choices.
Ezekiel 18:20
The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.
(WEB)
Help children see that each person answers for their own actions. Explain that a child is not punished for a parent’s wrongs, and a parent is not punished for a child’s wrongs.
Ezekiel 18:30-31
30 “Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways,” says the Lord the LORD. “Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?
(WEB)
Show children the words “Return” and “Cast away.” Explain that God is inviting every person to turn away from wrong and receive a new heart and a new start.
Talk About It
- What did the people in the story say about their parents’ sour grapes, and why was that saying a problem?
- What good things did the good man in the story do for other people?
- Why do you think God wants each person to be responsible for their own choices?
- What does it mean to turn away from wrong and turn back to God?
- How do you feel knowing God is always ready to welcome you back when you make a mistake?
Activity Ideas
Paper Heart Makeover
You will need construction paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a heart and cut it out. On one side, they write or draw a wrong choice they want to turn away from. On the other side, they draw a good choice they want to make, such as sharing or helping. Let them hold it up and say, “God gives me a new heart.”
Turn Around Game
You will need an open space and a bell or clapping rhythm. Have children face the teacher and walk forward when they hear a happy sound. When you ring the bell, they turn around, take a few steps away from the wrong direction, and then turn back to face you. Explain that turning around is a picture of turning from wrong and coming back to God.
Good Choices Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen. Ask family members to write a good choice they made each day on a strip and drop it into the jar. Read a few together at the end of the week. Say that each good choice is a small way of showing we belong to God and are learning to live his way.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter reminds us that God judges each person by their own response to him, not by inherited blame. It also shows God’s heart: he takes no pleasure in anyone’s death and longs for every person to turn back to him and live. The grace in this passage points forward to the good news of Jesus.
With children, avoid suggesting that good behavior earns God’s love or that a child can ever be unloved by God. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his invitation to return, rather than on fear of punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are fair and that you made each of us. Help us to turn away from the wrong things we do and to choose what is good. Give us new hearts that love you and love others. Thank you that you always welcome us back. Amen.
