This lesson teaches children that God protects the people who belong to Him, even when the world around them feels scary. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, questions, and an activity.
Big Idea
God knows who belongs to Him, and He keeps His people safe even in a frightening world. We can trust Him when things seem scary.
Memory Verse
Revelation 9:4
They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads.
(WEB)
Hold both hands flat on your forehead, then slowly spread your arms wide like a shield. Say “God’s seal is on me” as you do it, so children connect the words with a protective gesture.
The Story: Revelation 9 for Kids
John saw a vision of a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given a key to a deep, dark pit. When the star opened the pit, thick smoke billowed up, like smoke from a giant oven. The sun and the air grew dark. Children, picture that scary darkness together.
Out of the smoke came locusts, and they were given power like scorpions have. An angel told them something important: “Do not hurt the grass, the plants, or the trees.” They were only allowed to bother people who did not have God’s seal on their foreheads. God was protecting His own. The locusts could cause pain for five months, but they could not kill anyone.
The locusts looked like horses ready for battle, with crowns and faces like people. They had tails with stings like scorpions. Their king was the angel of the pit, and his names meant “destroyer” in two languages. John wrote that the first terrible time had passed, but two more were still coming.
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet. A voice from the golden altar in front of God said, “Free the four angels who are tied up at the great river Euphrates!” The angels were released to do their work at exactly the right time. A huge army of horsemen appeared, with fiery breastplates and horses with lions’ heads that breathed fire, smoke, and sulfur.
Many people were hurt by these plagues, but many people still refused to turn back to God. They kept worshiping idols made of gold, silver, wood, and stone, which cannot see or hear or walk. This is a sad truth, and it reminds us why we need God’s help.
Read It Together
Revelation 9:6
In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
(WEB)
Point out that people in this story were so scared and hurt that they wanted to die, yet they could not. Explain that this shows how terrible the trouble is, and that children can feel scared too. Remind them that God always sees and knows what is happening.
Revelation 9:20-21
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can’t see, hear, or walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
(WEB)
Show children that these verses describe people who would not change their hearts even after seeing big troubles. Gently explain that God always invites us to turn toward Him, and that choosing to follow Him matters every day, not just in scary times.
Revelation 9:15
The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind.
(WEB)
Point out that the angels were released at a time God had already planned. Tell children that nothing happens outside of God’s plan, and that He is always in control even when things feel out of control.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to be in a place as dark as the smoke in this story?
- Why do you think God put a special seal on the people who belonged to Him?
- How can you tell when someone is trusting God when they feel afraid?
- What is one thing you could do this week when you feel scared, instead of worrying alone?
- Why is it good to know that God knows exactly where we are, even in a dark place?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Shield
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a shield on their paper and write or draw one thing that makes them feel safe, like their family or a favorite Bible story. Let them decorate the shield with bright colors and then talk about how God is our protector. Children can hold up their shields during the closing prayer.
Statue Freeze with Protection
You need an open space and a timer or a clap. Play a freeze game where children move around like scary locusts, then freeze when you call out “God’s seal!” When they freeze, have them place both hands on their foreheads like the seal in the story. Repeat several times and end by reminding children that God keeps them safe.
Seal of God Keepsake
You need a small piece of paper, a pencil, and a sticker or washi tape. Help each child write “God knows me” on the paper and place a sticker in one corner as their special seal. Encourage them to put it somewhere they will see it at home, like on a nightstand or the fridge. Ask them to look at it whenever they feel scared.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is part of a larger vision about God’s judgment and His protection of His people. John wrote in a symbolic style common to his era, and the details like locusts and horsemen point to real spiritual realities rather than literal creatures. The main message for adults is that God is sovereign over history and protects those who belong to Him.
Avoid overstating the fine details of the vision to children. They do not need to know every symbol or debate about exactly what each image means. Focus on the simple truth that God knows and protects His people, and keep the emphasis on comfort and trust rather than fear.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You that You see us and know exactly who belongs to You. When we feel scared, help us remember that You are in control and that we are safe in Your care. Help us turn to You every day. Amen.
