In this lesson, children learn that God promises to give His people new hearts and bring them home, even after they have done wrong. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises. He can take a hard, stony heart and make it soft and new, and He always brings His people back home.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 36:26
I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your chest and tap your heart as you say the verse together. Then cup both hands together like a little bowl to show a heart that God is filling with something new.
The Story: Ezekiel 36 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people lived in their own land, the land of Israel. But they did many wrong things. They worshiped idols, and they hurt others. Their hearts had become hard, like cold stone that will not bend.
Because of their sin, God let enemies carry them far away to other countries. The land they left behind was empty and sad. The enemies laughed and said the land belonged to them now. God was not happy about this, because His people belonged to Him.
God spoke to a prophet named Ezekiel. He told Ezekiel to speak to the mountains and hills of Israel. The mountains heard God’s words. God said, “I am going to bring My people home. The cities will be filled with people again, and the fields will bloom like a garden.”
God also made a promise about hearts. He said, “I will take away your stony heart and give you a heart of flesh.” A heart of flesh is soft and alive, not hard and cold. God said He would put His own Spirit inside His people, so they would want to obey Him.
God did not do this because His people were so good. He did it because He loves His name and keeps His promises. When God brought them home, He made them clean, and they knew that He is the Lord.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 36:25-26
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness, and from all your idols. 26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
(WEB)
Point out the picture of washing. God says He will sprinkle clean water on His people and make them clean. Then He promises a brand new heart. Ask children what it feels like to be clean after a bath.
Ezekiel 36:27
I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.
(WEB)
Show that God does not leave His people alone to try to be good by themselves. He says He will put His Spirit within them. Explain that the Holy Spirit helps us want to do what is right.
Ezekiel 36:28
You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God.
(WEB)
Highlight the promise at the heart of the whole chapter: “You will be my people, and I will be your God.” Remind children that God wants to be close to them and will never give up on them.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to have a heart of stone, and how can a stone heart make us act?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to come back home to their own land?
- How did God’s people feel when the enemies laughed at them, and how do you think God felt?
- What is one thing you think God might change in your heart if you asked Him?
- Why is it good to know that God keeps His promises even when we make mistakes?
Activity Ideas
Paper Heart Craft
You will need red or pink construction paper, a pencil, scissors, and crayons. Have each child trace a heart shape on the paper and cut it out. On one side, have them draw a rocky, gray pattern to show a stony heart. Flip it over and decorate the other side with bright colors and flowers to show the new heart God gives. Talk about how God changes us from the inside out.
Stony Heart, Soft Heart Game
Ask children to stand in a circle and make their bodies stiff and still, like stone. Then call out, “Soft heart!” and have them melt slowly into a relaxed, floppy pose. Repeat several times, and each time talk about how God takes away our hard hearts and gives us soft ones. End by having everyone wiggle their fingers like new life coming into them.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a marker. Ask them to write or draw “God keeps His promises” on one side and a small heart on the other. Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it each morning, like a bedroom mirror or lunchbox. Ask them to tell a family member one thing God has promised.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s commitment to His people does not depend on their faithfulness. He acts for the sake of His holy name, and He promises to cleanse, renew, and restore. The new heart and the indwelling Spirit point to a deep transformation that only God can accomplish, which is a gift of grace rather than something we earn.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that a child must feel a certain way or perform good works to be accepted by God. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His desire to make hearts new. Also be careful with the historical details of exile; keep the story simple and centered on God’s love and promises.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You keep Your promises and make our hearts new. Please take away our hard and stony feelings and give us soft hearts that love You. Help us to follow You every day and to know that You are always with us. Amen.
