This lesson teaches children that God is stronger than any enemy and that He keeps His promises to protect His people. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, verses, activity, and prayer.
Big Idea
God is in charge, even when scary people try to hurt His people. He sees everything, and nothing is too big for Him to handle.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 38:23
I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”’
(WEB)
Have children stand tall with arms stretched wide, then slowly point one finger up to the sky as they say “Then they will know that I am the LORD.” The big arms show how wide God’s power reaches, and the pointing finger reminds them that He is over everything.
The Story: Ezekiel 38 for Kids
God spoke to a man named Ezekiel and told him to look toward a powerful leader named Gog. Gog came from a faraway land in the north, and he was a prince over many people. Gog had a huge army with horses, swords, shields, and helmets. Many other peoples marched with him.
God told Ezekiel that Gog was thinking up an evil plan. Gog wanted to go to the land of Israel, where God’s people lived in villages with no walls. He wanted to take their animals, their stuff, and their gold and silver. Gog thought the people would be easy to catch because they felt safe and quiet.
Then God said something very important to Ezekiel. He said, “I am against you, Gog.” God told Gog that He would turn him around and pull him in like a fish on a hook. God was saying that Gog’s plan would not work, because God was watching and in control.
God explained that, in that day, the ground would shake and the mountains would fall. He would send big hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur against Gog’s army. Gog and his soldiers would not win, because God was the one who would fight for His people.
Through all of this, God said He would show His greatness. He would make Himself known to many nations. Everyone would see that He is the LORD, and that He keeps His word to protect those who trust Him.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 38:1-3
1 The LORD’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first, and He told Ezekiel exactly what to say. Explain that God knew about Gog long before Gog ever attacked anyone, which shows that nothing surprises Him.
Ezekiel 38:10-12
10 “‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “It will happen in that day that things will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. 11 You will say, ‘I will go up to the land of unwalled villages. I will go to those who are at rest, who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, 12 to take the plunder and to take prey; to turn your hand against the waste places that are inhabited, and against the people who are gathered out of the nations, who have gotten livestock and goods, who dwell in the middle of the earth.’
(WEB)
Show children that Gog’s plan came from his own heart, and it was a bad plan built on wanting what belonged to others. Ask them to notice that God’s people were resting peacefully, not because of walls, but because they were safe in God’s care.
Ezekiel 38:18-20
18 It will happen in that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord the LORD, “that my wrath will come up into my nostrils. 19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath I have spoken. Surely in that day there will be a great shaking in the land of Israel; 20 so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, all creeping things who creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the surface of the earth will shake at my presence. Then the mountains will be thrown down, the steep places will fall, and every wall will fall to the ground.
(WEB)
Help children see that God’s power is so great that even the mountains and the sea creatures respond to Him. Explain that this picture shows how completely God is able to deal with anything that stands against His people.
Talk About It
- What do you think it felt like for God’s people to live in a village with no walls, and how did God keep them safe?
- Why do you think Gog wanted to take things that did not belong to him?
- What is one thing you feel scared about, and how can you remember that God is still in control?
- How did God show that He is more powerful than the biggest army?
- What is one way you can trust God when someone is being unkind to you?
Activity Ideas
Hook and Hailstone Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a few cotton balls. Have children draw a big picture of Gog’s army on one side of the page and God’s shield or fire on the other side. Let them glue cotton balls onto the page as hailstones falling from the sky. Talk about how God is bigger than any army they can draw.
Stand Strong Movement Game
Clear a space in your room or classroom. Call out “Gog is coming!” and have children march in place like an army. Then call out “God is in control!” and have them freeze and stand strong with feet apart and arms raised. Repeat several times, and end by having everyone shout “Then they will know that I am the LORD!”
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a sticky note or paper clip. Write “God is in control” on the card and draw a simple picture of a shield. Let your child decorate the card, then tuck it into a pocket, backpack, or lunchbox. Encourage them to pull it out whenever they feel afraid and say the memory verse together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is sovereign over nations and over every enemy of His people. It reminds us that God speaks clearly, sees what evil people plan, and holds everything in His hands. The passage also points to God’s commitment to make Himself known among the nations.
With children, avoid overstating the details of the battle or turning Gog and his army into a detailed prediction about future events. Keep the focus on God’s power, His watchful care, and His faithfulness to His people, so that children feel safe rather than frightened.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You are bigger than any enemy and stronger than any army. Help us remember that You see everything and are always in control. When we feel scared, help us trust You and know that You keep Your promises to take care of us. Amen.
