This lesson teaches children that God is holy and worthy of all our worship, and that heaven is full of people and creatures who never stop praising him. It is best for children about 5 to 11, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sits on the throne in heaven, and everything in heaven and on earth belongs to him. He is holy, powerful, and worthy of our praise, so we worship him.
Memory Verse
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”
(WEB)
Hold both hands up high, like a crown being lifted, then bow slowly as you say the words together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time until you are whispering.
The Story: Revelation 4 for Kids
One day a man named John was given a special look into heaven. He heard a loud voice, like a trumpet, calling him to come up and see what would happen. Right away, John was lifted up by God’s Spirit, and he found himself in a place he had never seen before.
In heaven there was a throne, and someone was sitting on it. The light around that throne shone like shining jewels and a bright rainbow. Around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and twenty-four elders were sitting on them. They wore white clothes and gold crowns.
Out of the throne came flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder. Seven lamps of fire burned in front of it. Below the throne was something that looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. Four living creatures stood near the throne. They were covered with eyes, and each one had six wings.
The four creatures looked like a lion, a calf, a man, and a flying eagle. They never stopped singing day or night. They called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!”
Every time the creatures gave glory and thanks to the one on the throne, the twenty-four elders fell down in worship. They took off their gold crowns and laid them down in front of the throne. Then they sang to God, “You are worthy, our Lord and God!”
Read It Together
Revelation 4:2
Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne
(WEB)
Point out that John was not in heaven on his own strength. He was taken there by God’s Spirit. Let children see that God is the one who opens the door and lets us see wonderful things.
Revelation 4:8
The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!”
(WEB)
Ask the children to notice that the creatures never rest. Explain that God is so great and good that worship never has to stop. Read the words slowly so children can hear how much they repeat the word holy.
Revelation 4:10-11
10 The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”
(WEB)
Show how the elders gave back their crowns. Explain that they knew the crowns were a gift, and that the real King is God. Point out that they worshiped him because he made all things.
Talk About It
- What did the twenty-four elders do when they saw the one on the throne?
- Why do you think the creatures never stop saying that God is holy?
- What do you think it would feel like to see heaven the way John did?
- Why did the elders take off their crowns and put them down in front of God?
- What is one thing God has made that you can thank him for today?
Activity Ideas
Paper Crown Drawing
Give each child a strip of yellow or gold paper, glue, and crayons or markers. Have them draw jewels, a rainbow, or swirls of light on the strip, then tape it into a crown. Let them wear it for a moment, then set it down in front of a chair while they say the memory verse together.
Throne Room Freeze Game
Choose one child to sit in a chair at the front as the King. Everyone else lines up at the back and walks slowly toward the chair. When the King says “Holy,” they freeze, and when he says “Worthy,” they bow with their hands out. Play a few rounds so children practice quiet and reverent movement.
Rainbow Reminder Card
Give each child a paper plate or index card, some crayons, and a small sticker of a crown if you have one. Have them draw a rainbow arc across the top and write or draw the words “Worthy are you.” At home, the card can sit on the kitchen table as a reminder to pray and thank God each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God reigns over all things, and that heaven is filled with worship that is holy and joyful. The creatures and elders point to God’s majesty, and the worship they offer is a model for every believer. Revelation is a book full of vivid images, and this chapter opens the door to see God’s throne as the center of the universe.
With children, avoid overstating what the creatures and elders mean symbolically. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is holy, powerful, and worthy of praise. Do not spend long on the details of the eyes, wings, or lamps, since these can confuse young listeners. Let the worship itself be the main thing they remember.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we thank you that you sit on the throne and rule over all things. You are holy, holy, holy, and we want to worship you every day. Help us remember that everything we have comes from you. Amen.
