This lesson teaches children that God can bring back to life what seems completely dead, and that He keeps His promises. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God can make dead, dry things live again, and He always keeps His promises to His people. Nothing is too far gone for Him.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 37:5
Thus says the Lord the LORD to these bones: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live.
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands flat, palms down, then slowly lift them up and open them wide, like a plant unfolding in the sun. Say “I will make you live” as you lift. Repeat it three times together so the motion and words stick.
The Story: Ezekiel 37 for Kids
God took a prophet named Ezekiel to a valley far away. The valley was full of bones, and they were very old and very dry. There was no sound, no movement, and no life anywhere. God asked Ezekiel a question: “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel gave a humble answer. He said, “Lord, only you know.”
Then God told Ezekiel to speak to the bones. Ezekiel obeyed. As he spoke, there was a loud rattling noise, and the bones began to move toward each other. Bone found its matching bone. Tendons and flesh grew over them, and skin covered them. But they still had no breath in them, so they were not yet alive.
God told Ezekiel to speak again, this time to the wind. Ezekiel called to the four winds to breathe life into the bodies. The breath came into them, and they stood up on their feet. They were a huge army, alive and ready to stand together.
God explained what the vision meant. The bones stood for the whole family of Israel. The people felt dried up, with no hope left, and they said, “We are cut off.” God said, “I will open your graves and bring you up out of them, and I will bring you home to your own land.” God promised to put His own Spirit in them so they would live.
Next God gave Ezekiel two sticks. On one he wrote the name of Judah, and on the other he wrote the name of Joseph. Ezekiel joined the sticks into one. When people asked what he was doing, he told them that God would bring the two groups together as one nation, with one king and one shepherd.
God ended the vision with a promise of peace. He said He would make an everlasting covenant with His people and live among them forever. God said, “I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Read It Together
Ezekiel 37:3
He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “Lord the LORD, you know.”
(WEB)
Point out that God asked Ezekiel a question that seemed impossible. Ask children what they think Ezekiel was feeling when he looked at such dry bones. Help them see that Ezekiel’s humble answer trusted God.
Ezekiel 37:7-8
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, there was an earthquake. Then the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
(WEB)
Show children how the vision happened step by step, with the bones coming together and then getting flesh and skin. Explain that God works in stages sometimes, and that each step is part of His plan.
Ezekiel 37:14
I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. Then I will place you in your own land; and you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Point out the promise that God would put His Spirit in His people and bring them home. Remind children that God’s promises are sure, and that He does what He says.
Talk About It
- What did the valley look like, and how do you think Ezekiel felt when he saw all those dry bones?
- Why do you think Ezekiel answered “Lord, only you know” when God asked if the bones could live?
- What did the army of living people show about what God can do?
- Why did God tell the people that He would bring them home to their own land?
- How can we remember that God keeps His promises when things feel hopeless to us?
Activity Ideas
Dry Bones Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a valley with a few bones scattered on the ground. Then have them draw green grass, a blue sky, or a sunny sun coming up over the bones. Talk together about how the picture changes when life comes into a place.
Breath of Life Game
You will need a small space and a few open hands. Have children crouch down low like bones on the floor. Call out “Breath!” and have everyone slowly stand up tall with their arms raised. Repeat the game a few times, and then ask children to show how it feels to come alive.
Two Sticks at Home
You will need two craft sticks or two small twigs, a rubber band, and a marker. Write one family member’s name on each stick. Then tie the sticks together with the rubber band and say, “God makes us one family.” Let the child take it home and show it to someone else.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a vision of hope for a people who felt cut off from God and from their land. God does not simply give them a new start. He brings them back to life, reunites them as one people, and promises to dwell with them forever. The picture also points toward God’s new work in His people through His Spirit.
With children, avoid overstating how the vision maps onto every detail of history or prophecy. Keep the focus on the clear truths: God is powerful, He keeps His word, and He gives life. Let the children enjoy the story without turning it into a puzzle they feel they must solve.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you can make even dry and hopeless things come alive again. Help us trust you when things look impossible, just like Ezekiel did. Thank you for keeping your promises to us every day. We love you and want to follow you. Amen.
