Revelation 6 teaches children that Jesus, pictured as the Lamb, is in charge of everything that happens, even the scary things. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Adjust the pace for younger children by spending more time on the pictures.
Big Idea
Jesus is the Lamb who is in charge of all things, so we never need to be afraid. He is the one who opens the scroll and decides what happens next.
Memory Verse
Revelation 6:1
I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, “Come and see!”
(WEB)
Hold both hands up like a book and slowly open them wide as you say “Come and see!” Then point up to the sky with one finger. Doing this motion each time you say the verse helps children remember that Jesus is the one who opens the scroll.
The Story: Revelation 6 for Kids
The apostle John was an old man living on an island called Patmos. He was not there because he wanted to be. He was there because he loved Jesus and told people about him. One day, God showed John a big scroll with seven seals, which are like locks that hold the scroll shut. John began to cry because he thought no one could open it.
Then an angel said, “Do not cry. Look! The Lamb has won the right to open the scroll.” John looked up and saw a Lamb standing in front of the throne of God. This Lamb is Jesus. He took the scroll and began to open the seals, one at a time.
When Jesus opened the first four seals, John saw four horses. Each horse was different in color, and each rider had a special job. One rider carried a bow. Another rider carried a sword. A third rider held a set of scales, and the fourth rider was named Death. Every rider was under Jesus’ control.
When Jesus opened the fifth seal, John saw the people who had died for telling others about Jesus. They were under the altar. They called out, “How long will it be before you make things right, Lord?” Each of them was given a white robe. They were told to wait a little longer.
When Jesus opened the sixth seal, the sky went dark, the moon turned red, and the earth shook. People ran and hid in the caves and mountains. They cried out to the mountains, “Fall on us and hide us from the one sitting on the throne!” They were scared because they did not know Jesus.
Read It Together
Revelation 5:12
Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”
(WEB)
This verse is from the chapter just before, so it may be a little long for some children. Point out that everyone in heaven is singing about how worthy the Lamb is. Explain that the Lamb is Jesus and that he is worthy because he died and rose again for us.
Revelation 6:9-10
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. 10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
(WEB)
Show children that the people under the altar were not forgotten. God heard their prayers even when they had to wait. Point out that the people asked God how long they would wait, and that God cares about them.
Revelation 6:16-17
16 They told the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?”
(WEB)
Explain that the people in this verse were scared because they did not belong to Jesus. Help children see that Jesus wants everyone to know him so they will never need to be afraid of him as their judge.
Talk About It
- What did the Lamb do with the scroll, and why do you think that was important?
- How did John feel when he first saw the scroll, and what made him feel better?
- Why do you think the people under the altar were given white robes?
- What is one thing that makes you feel safe when things seem scary?
- How can we tell our friends that Jesus is in charge of everything?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Four Horses
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw one of the four horses in its color: white, red, black, or pale. Have them draw the rider too, with the bow, sword, scales, or the name Death written above. Talk about what each rider does while the children draw.
Lamb on the Throne Freeze Game
Clear some open space in the room and choose one child to be the Lamb. Everyone else walks around the room like they are looking for something. When you call out “Come and see!” the children freeze. The Lamb walks slowly past them, and anyone the Lamb touches sits down to show they are safe with Jesus.
Scroll Reminder at Home
You will need a sheet of paper, a pencil, and two paper towel tubes or rolled-up cardboard. Help the child write the memory verse on the paper, then roll it up around the tubes and tie it with string. Ask them to put it by the bed or on the kitchen table. Each time they see it, they can remember that Jesus holds the scroll.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Revelation 6 is a vision of Jesus as the one who holds history in his hands. The seals show that God is not surprised by suffering, injustice, or the end of the age. The Lamb’s authority is the comfort at the center of the chapter, even when the images are frightening. The chapter is written in symbolic language, so the details like colors and numbers point to the meaning rather than a literal timetable.
Avoid overstating to children the exact meaning of each horse or each seal. Many Christians read these images in different ways, and the story does not need to be decoded for children to learn that Jesus is in charge. Keep the focus on Jesus being the Lamb who opens the scroll and cares for his people.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the Lamb who is in charge of everything. We do not need to be scared when we hear about hard things, because you hold the scroll. Help us trust you every day and tell others about you. Thank you that you care for us and hear our prayers. Amen.
