In this lesson, children learn that God helped Ezra go to Jerusalem and that God takes care of His people when they want to follow Him. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of us when we want to learn about Him and obey Him. He helps us do what is good, even when the journey is long.
Memory Verse
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to seek the LORD’s law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
(WEB)
Teach the children to place one hand over their heart when they say “Ezra set his heart,” then open both hands outward when they say “to seek the LORD’s law.” Repeat it together three times, moving slowly and then a little faster.
The Story: Ezra 7 for Kids
A long time ago, the king of Persia was named Artaxerxes. A man named Ezra lived in Babylon, and Ezra knew God’s law very well. He was a teacher who wrote things down and helped people understand what God wanted them to do.
Ezra wanted to go back to Jerusalem, the city where God’s house was. Many of God’s people wanted to go with him, including priests, Levites, singers, and helpers who worked at the temple. Ezra started his trip on the first day of the first month and reached Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month.
The king was kind to Ezra and gave him many good things for the temple. He told Ezra, “Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly.” The king also said that the helpers at God’s house would not have to pay extra taxes.
Ezra thanked God for all of this. He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers,” because God had moved the king’s heart to help. Ezra felt strong, and he gathered leaders from Israel to travel with him.
Read It Together
Ezra 7:6
This Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the LORD his God’s hand on him.
(WEB)
Point out that God’s hand was on Ezra, which means God was helping and guiding him. Ask the children how they think Ezra felt knowing God was with him on the trip.
Ezra 7:9
For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him.
(WEB)
Show the children that the journey took several months and that God kept Ezra safe the whole way. Ask them to name a time when they felt God helping them through something hard.
Ezra 7:27
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem…
(WEB)
Explain that Ezra stopped to thank God before doing anything else. Talk about how thanking God for helping us is a good habit to practice every day.
Talk About It
- What did Ezra want to learn and do, and why do you think it mattered to him?
- Who went with Ezra on the long trip to Jerusalem?
- How did God help the king and the people in this story?
- What is something you want to learn about God this week?
- What is one way you can thank God when He helps you?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Trip Map
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple path from Babylon to Jerusalem with a few stops along the way. Have them draw a small heart at the start and a small house at the end to show Ezra’s heart for God and God’s house in Jerusalem.
Hand on Heart Journey
You will need an open space in your room or classroom and a timer. Have the children walk slowly around the room, pretending they are going on a long trip. When you call out “Stop,” they place a hand on their heart and say “God is with me.” Repeat this a few times to help them remember that God goes with them everywhere.
Thank You Jar
You will need a clean jar or cup, slips of paper, and a pencil. Each day this week, have the child write or draw one thing they are thankful to God for on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. Read the notes together at the end of the week and thank God for each one, just as Ezra did when he praised God for His help.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ezra 7 shows a man who devoted himself to studying God’s law, practicing it, and teaching it to others. The chapter also shows that God works through people, including rulers who may not know Him, to accomplish His purposes for His people and His house.
Be careful not to make the king or the journey sound like a promise that everything will always go smoothly for those who follow God. Instead, emphasize that God was faithful to Ezra and that Ezra trusted Him, which is a truth children can grow into over time.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for helping Ezra and the people who went with him. Help us want to learn about You and follow You every day, just as Ezra did. Thank You for being with us wherever we go. Amen.
