Isaiah 22 teaches children that people can trust God even when their plans fall apart, because God sees everything and never loses control. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few Bible readings, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
When everything goes wrong, God still knows what is happening, and we can trust him instead of trying to fix everything ourselves.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 22:11
You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you didn’t look to him who had done this, neither did you have respect for him who purposed it long ago.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands together, then slowly lift them up toward the ceiling as they say the verse. Each time they lift their hands, remind them that God looks up at everything from above, and he saw it all long before it happened.
The Story: Isaiah 22 for Kids
Long ago, the city of Jerusalem was full of people. There was a big valley outside the city walls, and the people in the city were noisy and busy. They were laughing, shouting, and running up to the rooftops to look around. Something was wrong, but they were too busy celebrating to notice.
Enemy soldiers were coming. The leaders of the city ran away, and many people were caught and taken. The walls of the city were broken in many places. The people were frightened and confused, and the prophet Isaiah felt very sad about what he saw. He told the people that this was a hard day that came from the Lord.
The people were scared, so they got busy trying to protect the city. They counted their houses and tore some down to make the walls stronger. They gathered water into a pool so they would have enough to drink. They worked very hard, but they forgot to ask God for help.
Isaiah told the people that God had been calling them to weep and turn back to him. Instead, they were partying and saying, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die.” God was not pleased. He said they would not be forgiven for ignoring him.
God also spoke about a man named Shebna, who was a leader in the city. Shebna had made a fancy tomb for himself on a high place. God said he would be thrown out of his job. Then God promised that a servant named Eliakim would take his place and care for the people of Jerusalem.
God is the one who is in charge, even when people are not. He had a plan for Jerusalem, and that plan included a new leader who would love the people and trust God.
Read It Together
Isaiah 22:12
In that day, the Lord, the LORD of Armies, called to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to dressing in sackcloth…
(WEB)
Point out that God called the people to weep and mourn over their sins. Explain that God wanted their hearts to turn back to him, not just to keep busy with their own plans.
Isaiah 22:22
I will lay the key of David’s house on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut. He will shut, and no one will open.
(WEB)
Show the children that only God has the power to open and shut doors. Remind them that God gives leaders to care for his people, and that God is always in charge of who goes in and out.
Isaiah 22:25
“In that day,” says the LORD of Armies, “the nail that was fastened in a sure place will give way. It will be cut down, and fall. The burden that was on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken it.”
(WEB)
Explain that the Lord himself spoke this promise. Let the children see that even when something seems strong and secure, God can change what happens, and his word always comes true.
Talk About It
- What did the people in Jerusalem do when they were scared, and what could they have done instead?
- Why do you think the people were partying when enemies were coming?
- How can you tell when you are trying to fix a problem by yourself and forgetting to pray?
- What does it mean that God sees everything that happens, even the things we cannot see?
- What is one hard thing in your life that you can give to God today?
Activity Ideas
Walls of Trust Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a city wall, then write or draw one thing they are worried about on a brick in the wall. Next to the wall, have them draw a big hand reaching down from heaven. Talk about how God is strong enough to hold up anything we give him.
Pass the Key Game
You will need a small object like a key or a toy, and a few chairs in a circle. Have the children sit in the circle and pass the key around while the music plays or while you count to ten. When the music stops or you say “God,” the child holding the key says, “Only God opens and shuts the doors.” Explain that only God has the real key to every door.
Take-Home Prayer Stones
You will need smooth stones or small rocks, paint or permanent markers, and a bowl. Have each child paint or write one word on a stone, such as “trust,” “pray,” or “peace.” Ask them to keep the stone in a pocket or on a bedside table as a reminder to trust God during the week, even when plans change.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Isaiah 22 is a warning about trusting in human strength and busy activity instead of trusting God. The people of Jerusalem worked hard to protect themselves but ignored the God who had called them back to himself. The chapter also shows that God is sovereign over leaders, cities, and even the doors of his people’s lives.
Be careful not to suggest to children that every hard thing happens because they did something wrong. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his call to trust him, rather than on blaming people for their troubles.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you see everything and you are always in control. When our plans fall apart, help us to trust you instead of trying to fix everything on our own. Help us to turn to you with our hearts and our prayers. We love you and we trust you. Amen.
