In this lesson, children learn that God is in charge of everything, from the four winds to the king’s crown, and that he keeps his promises. The lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a teacher reading the story aloud and leading the activities.
Big Idea
God is in charge of the whole world, and he always keeps his promises. Even when things look messy, God is still working to make his plans happen.
Memory Verse
Zechariah 6:5
The angel answered me, “These are the four winds of the sky, which go out from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
(WEB)
Ask the children to stand tall with arms stretched out like wings, then sweep their arms in a big circle as if they are the winds. Say the verse together, moving your arms each time you say “winds.” Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Zechariah 6 for Kids
One night, a prophet named Zechariah saw a strange dream. He looked up and saw four chariots coming out from between two huge mountains made of bronze. Each chariot was pulled by horses of a different color: red, black, white, and spotted. Zechariah was puzzled, so he asked an angel standing beside him what they meant.
The angel explained that these chariots were the four winds of the sky. They go out from standing before the Lord, who rules all the earth. The black horses went toward the north, the white horses followed, and the spotted horses went toward the south. Then the strongest horses walked back and forth across the whole earth, and God said they could go.
Next, God told Zechariah to take gold and silver from some people who had come back from Babylon. Zechariah was to make a crown and place it on the head of Joshua, the high priest. God wanted Zechariah to say a special message to Joshua about a man called the Branch.
The message was that the Branch would grow up in his own place, build the Lord’s temple, and wear the glory of a king. He would also be a priest, and he would sit on his throne with peace between them. The crowns were to be kept in God’s house as a memorial, a reminder that God had sent Zechariah with this promise.
God also said that people who were far away would come and help build the temple. Then everyone would know that the Lord had sent his messenger. God told them that all of this would happen if they listened carefully and obeyed his voice.
Read It Together
Zechariah 6:1
Again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
(WEB)
Point out that Zechariah looked up and saw something he had not expected. Ask the children how they feel when they see something surprising, and remind them that God can show us amazing things.
Zechariah 6:7
The strong went out, and sought to go that they might walk back and forth through the earth: and he said, “Go around and through the earth!” So they walked back and forth through the earth.
(WEB)
Show the children that the winds walked through the earth only as far as God allowed. Explain that God is the one who gives the command, and nothing moves in the world without his permission.
Zechariah 6:13
Even he shall build the LORD’s temple; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a priest on his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
(WEB)
Point out that this verse talks about a king who is also a priest, which is a promise God made. Explain that God keeps his promises and that Jesus is the one who fulfills this promise.
Talk About It
- What did Zechariah see in his dream, and how do you think he felt when he saw it?
- What does it tell us about God that he is in charge of the winds and the whole earth?
- Why do you think God wanted the crowns kept in the temple as a reminder?
- How can you show God that you want to listen carefully to his voice this week?
- What is one promise from God that makes you feel safe, and why?
Activity Ideas
Four Horses Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a chariot with four horses, one red, one black, one white, and one spotted. Encourage them to add mountains behind the chariots and a sky full of wind swirls. Let them share their pictures and explain which direction their horses are going.
Wind Walk Game
You will need an open floor space and a few chairs to act as mountains. Choose one child to be the angel who gives the command. The other children stand at one end, and when the angel says “Go around and through the earth,” they walk, skip, or spin in all directions around the room. Switch roles so each child gets a turn being the angel.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need a small index card, a pen, and a paper clip. Have each child write or draw one promise God has made, such as “God keeps his promises.” Let them decorate the card and clip it to a bookmark or a family Bible. Encourage them to take it home and read it aloud at dinner or bedtime this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is sovereign over history, nature, and nations, and that his promises about the Branch, the coming ruler and priest, find their fulfillment in Jesus. The crowns and the rebuilding of the temple remind the community that God’s presence and restoration are central to their life together.
With children, avoid turning the visions into a detailed timeline or claiming to know exactly what each symbol means in every detail. Keep the focus on the simple truths that God is in charge and that he keeps his word.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you are in charge of the winds, the earth, and every nation. Help us remember that you always keep your promises, even when we do not understand what is happening. Teach us to listen carefully to your voice and to trust you every day. Amen.
