In this lesson, children learn that God’s glory came back to fill his house, and that God wants to be close to his people. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is holy, and he wants to live with his people. When they make their hearts ready for him, he comes close to them.
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)
Cup both hands in front of your chest as if holding something precious, then slowly lift them high above your head. Say the words together while you move, and let the children feel how God’s glory fills the whole room.
The Story: Ezekiel 43 for Kids
God’s people had done many wrong things, and God had been very sad about it. The prophet Ezekiel was in a faraway land, but God gave him a special vision. In the vision, a man took Ezekiel to the gate of the temple that faces east.
Then something wonderful happened. The glory of the God of Israel came in from the east. His voice sounded like the roar of many waters, and the whole earth shone with his light. Ezekiel was so amazed that he fell down on his face.
The Spirit lifted Ezekiel up and carried him into the inner court. God’s glory filled the whole house. Ezekiel heard a voice speaking to him from inside the house, and a man stood right beside him.
The voice said, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place where I will live with my people forever.” God wanted his people to stop doing the bad things that had made his name unclean. He told them to put those things far away from him.
God also gave Ezekiel instructions. Ezekiel was to show the people the plans for the temple so they could feel sorry for their wrongs. The plans included careful measurements of the altar, where the people would bring their offerings to God. God gave them rules about how to cleanse the altar and how to make it ready for worship. When they finished, God said he would accept them.
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 that God’s glory was so bright that it lit up the whole earth. Ask children to imagine how big and bright God is, and remind them that he is far greater than anything they can see.
Ezekiel 43:4
The LORD’s glory came into the house by the way of the gate which faces toward the east.
(WEB)
Show children that God’s glory came right into the house. Explain that God wanted to be close to his people, and that is still true today.
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)
Point out the words “where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.” Tell children that God’s promise to be with his people is a promise that lasts.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to see something as bright as God’s glory?
- Why do you think Ezekiel fell down on his face when he saw the vision?
- What are some things we can do to make our hearts ready for God?
- Why did God want his people to put away the bad things they had done?
- How does it make you feel to know that God wants to live close to you?
Activity Ideas
Glory Light Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a flashlight. Turn off the lights and shine the flashlight onto the paper. Ask the children to draw a bright sun or star in the middle, then color rays of light spreading out in every direction. Explain that God’s glory lit up the whole earth, and let each child share what their picture shows.
Temple Gate Game
You will need a open space and a few chairs or cones. Set up two cones as a gate facing the east side of the room. Have children take turns walking through the gate slowly, one at a time, pretending they are coming close to God’s house. Between turns, say a simple word like “holy” or “close,” and let the children respond with a gentle, reverent action like folding their hands.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a sticker or crayon. Write the words “God wants to be close to me” on the card and let each child decorate it. Encourage them to place it on their bedside table or in their lunchbox. Ask them to read it aloud each morning as a reminder that God is near.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is holy and desires to dwell among his people. The vision of the restored temple points to God’s commitment to be present with his people, a hope that Christians see fulfilled in Jesus. The careful instructions also reveal that approaching God is a serious and reverent matter.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of the altar measurements or the ancient sacrifices. Keep the focus on God’s glory, his nearness, and his desire for a clean heart. Younger children may find the vision confusing, so stay with the simple truth that God wants to be close to his people.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we thank you that you are so bright and so holy. Help us to keep our hearts clean and ready for you. Thank you that you want to live with us forever. Be near us this week, and help us remember how close you are. Amen.
