In this lesson, children learn that where God’s river flows, life grows, and the water of God makes even dead places alive. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God’s river brings life wherever it goes. When we stay close to God, His love helps us grow and spreads to the people around us.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 47:9
It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes.
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand up tall, then slowly wiggle their fingers like flowing water as they say the words. Then have them put their hands on their hearts and say, “Everything will live where the river comes.” Repeat it three times together.
The Story: Ezekiel 47 for Kids
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived far from his home, in a land called Babylon. One day God showed him a wonderful vision of a temple. Ezekiel saw water coming out from under the door of the temple, and it flowed toward the east. The water was clear and cool, and it was getting deeper and deeper.
A man with a measuring line walked ahead of Ezekiel and measured out a thousand steps. At the first measure, the water came up to the ankles. At the second measure, it came up to the knees. At the third, it came up to the waist. At the last measure, the river was so deep that Ezekiel could only swim across it.
Then the man asked Ezekiel a question: “Son of man, have you seen this?” Ezekiel saw that the river ran toward the sea, and that wherever it flowed, the water made the salty sea fresh and clean. Fish swam in great numbers, and fishermen stood along the banks to catch them.
Ezekiel also saw trees growing on both sides of the river. Their leaves never dried up, and they bore fruit every single month. Their fruit was for food, and their leaves helped heal people. The river came from the place where God’s people worshiped Him, so the water brought life everywhere it went.
God then told Ezekiel how the land of Israel would be shared among the twelve tribes. Everyone, even the strangers living among them, would receive a place to belong. God wanted every family to have a home in His land.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 47:1
He brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, waters flowed out from under the threshold of the house eastward, for the front of the house faced toward the east. The waters came down from underneath, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar.
(WEB)
Point out that the water started small, coming from under the door of the temple. Ask the children where they think the water was coming from, and remind them that God is the source of every good thing.
Ezekiel 47:8-9
8 Then he said to me, “These waters flow out toward the eastern region, and will go down into the Arabah. Then they will go toward the sea; and flow into the sea which will be made to flow out; and the waters will be healed. 9 It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes.
(WEB)
Show the children how the water brought life to the salty sea and made it fresh. Explain that God’s love works in the same way, changing hard places into places where good things can grow.
Ezekiel 47:12
By the river on its bank, on this side and on that side, will grow every tree for food, whose leaf won’t wither, neither will its fruit fail. It will produce new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food, and its leaf for healing.”
(WEB)
Point to the trees that never run out of fruit and leaves that never wither. Tell the children that God takes care of us all year long, every month, and that His care never runs dry.
Talk About It
- What did the water look like when it first came out from under the temple door?
- Why do you think the river got deeper as the man measured it?
- What happened to the salty sea when the river flowed into it?
- How can the trees along the river help the people who live near them?
- How can we let God’s love flow from us to the people around us this week?
Activity Ideas
Paint a River of Life
You will need paper, blue and green paint or crayons, and a cup of water. Have each child paint a wavy blue river down the middle of the paper, then add green trees along both sides. Let them drip a little blue paint at the bottom to show the river flowing into the sea. As they work, talk about how God’s love brings color and life to our lives.
Living Water Ankle, Knee, Waist
Clear a space in the room and have the children stand at one end. Call out “ankles,” “knees,” and “waist,” and have them touch those parts of their bodies as you count off a thousand steps. When you shout “swim,” everyone pretends to swim across the room. Finish by having the children stand tall with their arms out like branches, showing how God’s river makes things grow.
Take-Home Fruit Tree
You will need a paper plate, markers, and some small sticky notes. Have each child draw a tree trunk on the plate and write one way they can share God’s love on each sticky note. Let them stick the notes on the tree as “fruit.” Encourage them to take the tree home and add one new fruit each week to remind them that God’s river keeps bringing life.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage pictures God’s life-giving presence spreading out from His dwelling place to renew everything it touches, including the sea and the land. It also shows God’s faithfulness to His promises and His desire that all people, including those who were strangers, find a place among His people.
With children, avoid turning the river into a formula or a guarantee that every problem will vanish. Keep the focus on God’s character and His love, which is always generous and never runs dry.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You for the river of Your love that flows to us every day. Help us to grow strong and green like the trees by the river, and help us share Your love with everyone we meet. Thank You that Your love never runs dry. Amen.
