In this lesson, children learn that God gives His people a place and a way to worship Him, and He cares about how we come to Him. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants His people to come to Him with respect, joy, and faithful hearts, and He cares about every part of how we worship.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 46:9
“‘“But when the people of the land come before the LORD in the appointed feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he who enters by the way of the south gate shall go out by the way of the north gate. He shall not return by the way of the gate by which he came in, but shall go out straight before him.
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall, then walk in a straight line across the room, one foot in front of the other, as they say the verse together. Explain that God’s people walk in and out of His house on purpose, with their whole heart.
The Story: Ezekiel 46 for Kids
Long ago, God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision of a wonderful new temple. Ezekiel was living far away from home, in the land of Babylon, and he was sad about the broken temple in Jerusalem. God wanted to show him that worship would one day be restored and done the right way.
God spoke about a leader called the prince, who would worship at the gate of the inner court. The gate on the east side would stay shut during the six working days, but it would open on the Sabbath day and on the day of the new moon. The prince would come in through the porch, stand by the gate, and bring his offerings to the Lord. Then he would go out, and the gate would close again until evening.
God also explained that the people of the land would worship at the door of that gate on the Sabbaths and new moons. Each worshiper had a special path. Whoever came in through the north gate would leave through the south gate, and whoever came in through the south gate would leave through the north. Nobody was supposed to go back the way they came. God said, “Go out straight before you,” so everyone could move in an orderly way.
God gave clear instructions about the offerings too. Every morning, a one-year-old lamb without any flaws was to be offered to the Lord, along with a small amount of flour and oil. These morning offerings were a continual reminder that God was always to be honored first each day. The people brought their best, and God was pleased to receive it.
Ezekiel then saw rooms for the priests near the gate, and places where they cooked the offerings for the people. God showed Ezekiel that everything in His house had a purpose, and nothing was thrown together carelessly. He wanted His holy place to be clean, orderly, and full of care.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 46:1
“‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened.
(WEB)
Point out that the gate stayed closed on working days and opened on the Sabbath. Ask the children why God might want a special day set apart for worship, and how a day of rest helps us remember Him.
Ezekiel 46:13-15
13 “‘“You shall prepare a lamb a year old without defect for a burnt offering to the LORD daily. Morning by morning you shall prepare it. 14 You shall prepare a meal offering with it morning by morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of a hin of oil, to moisten the fine flour; a meal offering to the LORD continually by a perpetual ordinance. 15 Thus they shall prepare the lamb, the meal offering, and the oil, morning by morning, for a continual burnt offering.”
(WEB)
Show the children the word “morning” repeated again and again. Explain that God wanted a daily offering so His people would start each day by remembering Him, just as we might pray when we wake up.
Ezekiel 46:16-18
16 “‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons, it is his inheritance. It shall belong to his sons. It is their possession by inheritance. 17 But if he gives of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons. 18 Moreover the prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance, to thrust them out of their possession. He shall give inheritance to his sons out of his own possession, that my people not each be scattered from his possession.”’”
(WEB)
Explain that God cared about fairness and that families should not lose what God gave them. Point out that God wanted His people to stay in their homes and not be pushed out, because they belonged to Him.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that helps you feel close to God when you worship?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to bring their very best to Him?
- How does it feel to know that God planned everything carefully in His house?
- What can you do this week to start your day by remembering God?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to treat each other fairly?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Gate
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a large gate with a porch in front of it, and a path going in and out. Let them add a sun or a tiny lamb near the gate. As they draw, talk about how worship has a place and a way to enter, and let them tell you what they hear in the story.
Walk In and Out
You will need a open floor space and some masking tape or a few chairs to mark a gate. Have children line up outside the gate, walk in through one side, and walk out through the other. Cheer each child as they go, and remind them that God gave clear paths so His people could worship together without confusion.
Morning Reminder Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a small sticky note or ribbon. Help each child write “Good morning, God” on the card and tuck it somewhere they will see it when they wake up, like on a bedroom door or by the cereal box. Explain that just as the morning offering was a daily reminder, this card can help them remember to pray each morning.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cared deeply about how His people approached Him, including the place, the timing, and the spirit of worship. Ezekiel’s vision points forward to a restored relationship with God, where worship is ordered, reverent, and joyful. Adults can see that God’s concern for justice and for keeping families in their homes is part of His holy character.
Be careful not to overstate the details of the temple layout or the exact meaning of each measurement to children, since the chapter is a prophetic vision and scholars read it in different ways. Focus instead on the simple truths: God is worthy of our best, He invites us to worship Him regularly, and He cares about fairness among His people.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for inviting us to come to You with our hearts ready. Help us start each day by remembering You, and help us bring You our very best in everything we do. Teach us to treat others fairly, just as You do. We love You, Lord. Amen.
