This lesson teaches children that God sees the proud and humble, and that He can bring down anyone who sets himself against Him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God is in charge of every king and kingdom. He lifts up people who trust Him and brings down anyone who thinks he is more powerful than God.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 14:13
You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north!
(WEB)
Have children stand tall with their arms stretched high, then slowly bend down to the floor as they say the words. Going up and coming down helps them remember that God brings down the proud.
The Story: Isaiah 14 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Israelites, had been carried away to a faraway land. They had worked hard for people who were cruel to them, and they were very tired and sad. God had not forgotten them. He promised to bring them home and give them rest.
The prophet Isaiah told the people a special story to sing about the king of Babylon. This king had been very mean. He had made many nations suffer, and he had ruled them in anger. Everyone had been afraid of him, but God was not afraid of him at all.
In the story, the king of Babylon thought he was very important. He said in his heart, “I will climb up to the sky! I will set my throne above the stars of God!” He wanted to be as high as God. Isaiah wrote that the king was like a bright morning star that fell down from the sky.
Isaiah said that the king would be brought down to the grave. The other kings who had died were resting in peace, but this proud king was thrown out like a dead branch. People who saw him would stare and wonder, “Is this the man who shook the whole world?”
In the end, God Himself would stop the proud king. God said, “I will rise up against them.” The people who trusted God would be safe, and God would make His plans happen. The good news was that the Lord had made a place called Zion, where His afflicted people could run and find safety.
Read It Together
Isaiah 14:1-2
1 For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land. The foreigner will join himself with them, and they will unite with the house of Jacob. 2 The peoples will take them, and bring them to their place. The house of Israel will possess them in the LORD’s land for servants and for handmaids. They will take as captives those whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
(WEB)
Point out that God had compassion on His people and brought them home. Ask children to notice that God keeps His promises even when His people feel far away from Him.
Isaiah 14:3-4
3 It will happen in the day that the LORD will give you rest from your sorrow, from your trouble, and from the hard service in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, “How the oppressor has ceased! The golden city has ceased!”
(WEB)
Explain that God gave His people rest from their hard work and sorrow. Show children that the people were able to sing a song about the proud king because God had freed them.
Isaiah 14:12-14
12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!”
(WEB)
Read slowly and point out the words “I will ascend” and “I will make myself like the Most High.” Explain that the king wanted to be like God, and that wanting to be God is what makes pride so dangerous.
Talk About It
- What did the king of Babylon say he wanted to do in his heart?
- Why do you think God did not like it when the king tried to be like Him?
- How did the people of Israel feel when God gave them rest from their hard work?
- What is one way we can be humble instead of proud at home or at school?
- How do you feel knowing that God is in charge of kings and everyone else?
Activity Ideas
Paper Star Crown
You will need yellow or white paper, scissors, crayons, and tape. Have each child draw a large star on the paper and cut it out. Let them write “God is above all” on the star and tape it to a strip of paper to make a crown. Talk about how the morning star in the story fell down, and how God is the one who is truly high and lifted up.
Stand Tall, Bow Low Game
You need an open space in the room. Call out “Stand tall!” and have children reach up high on their toes. Then call out “Bow low!” and have them bend down to the floor. Mix up the commands quickly so children must listen carefully. End by saying that God lifts up the humble and brings down the proud.
Take-Home Pebble Reminder
You will need a few small smooth stones, washable markers, and a small bag or envelope. Let each child write a simple word like “humble” or “trust” on a stone. Ask them to keep the pebble in a pocket or on a bedside table. When they touch it during the week, they can remember that God is in charge and that they can trust Him.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Isaiah 14 is a prophecy against the king of Babylon, pictured as a proud ruler who wanted to rise above God. The chapter also shows that God cares for His people, gives them rest, and keeps His purposes. The language about the fallen morning star has been read in many ways across church history, so it is wise to focus on the plain message that pride leads to a fall.
One thing to avoid overstating to children is the idea that the king of Babylon is the same as Satan. Children can be taught that the passage speaks about a proud earthly ruler and about the danger of pride, without being asked to decide on deeper interpretations. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness to His people and His power over every nation.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You are in charge of everything. Help us to be humble and to trust You, even when we feel small. When we feel proud, help us remember that You are God and we are not. Thank You for always keeping Your promises to us. Amen.
