In this lesson, children learn that God’s glory came back to fill His house and that He wants to live among His people. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is holy, and He wants to be close to His people. When we make room for Him, He comes to dwell with us.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 43:5
The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the LORD’s glory filled the house.
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart, then spread your arms wide like a house opening its doors. Say the verse slowly together as you move, and let the arms show the glory filling everything.
The Story: Ezekiel 43 for Kids
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived far from home, in a land called Babylon. God gave him a long vision of a new temple. One day a man led Ezekiel to the east gate, and suddenly a bright light appeared. It was the glory of the God of Israel, and it was coming back to the temple.
The glory was so bright that the whole earth shone with it. The sound of God’s voice was like the roar of many rushing waters. Ezekiel was so amazed that he fell down on his face. God’s glory went into the house and filled every corner of it.
Then a voice spoke to Ezekiel from inside the house. God said, “This is the place of my throne, and the place where I will live with my people forever.” God was saying that He wanted to be near them.
God told Ezekiel to show the people the plans for this house. He wanted them to see how holy it was. He wanted them to remember that they had made His name unclean with their wrong ways. God asked them to put those things far away from Him.
God also gave Ezekiel the measurements for an altar. The altar was a special place where the priests would offer sacrifices. God told the priests how to clean it and make it holy. Every part of it had a special purpose.
God promised that after the altar was made clean and holy, the priests would offer their burnt offerings and peace offerings there. God said, “Then I will accept you.” His people could worship Him again.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 43:2
Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
(WEB)
Point out how bright and loud God’s glory was. Ask the children what it might feel like to stand near something that bright and powerful, and remind them that God’s greatness is good news.
Ezekiel 43:7
He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their prostitution, and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places…
(WEB)
Show the children the words “where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.” Explain that God wanted to live with His people, not far away from them.
Ezekiel 43:27
When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings. Then I will accept you,’ says the Lord the LORD.”
(WEB)
Point out the word “accept.” Explain that God was ready to welcome His people back to worship Him, and that this shows He wants a close friendship with them.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to see God’s glory fill a room?
- Why do you think God wanted to live among His people?
- What are some things we can do to make room for God in our day?
- Why did God want His people to stop doing wrong things near Him?
- How does it make you feel to know that God wants to be close to you?
Activity Ideas
Glory Light Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a yellow or white crayon. Ask the children to draw a simple temple with a door. Then have them color rays of light coming out of the door using the bright crayon. Talk about how God’s glory filled the house and lit up the whole earth.
Stand Up, Make Room
Clear some space in the room. Ask the children to spread out and stand still. Then say, “God is coming in!” and have them slowly move their arms wide to show room being made. Repeat the memory verse as they move. This helps them picture God filling a place that has been made ready for Him.
Home Glory Jar
Give each child a small jar and some slips of paper. Ask them to write or draw one way they can make room for God at home, such as praying before dinner or helping a sibling. Place the slips in the jar and read them together at family devotions. This keeps the lesson alive all week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s holiness is serious and that His presence is a gift. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that God’s desire is to dwell with His people, and that sin separates us from Him. It also points forward to the hope that God makes a way for His people to be close to Him.
Avoid overstating the details of the altar measurements to children. The point is that God is holy and cares about how His people draw near to Him, so keep the focus on His closeness and kindness rather than the specific dimensions.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we thank You that You are holy and wonderful. Thank You that You want to live with us and be close to us. Help us make room for You in our hearts and our homes. Fill our lives with Your goodness every day. Amen.
