In this lesson, children learn that God is in charge of every part of the world, and that He keeps His promises, even when the people of Israel feel discouraged. This lesson suits children about 5 to 11 years old and takes 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is in charge of everything, and He always keeps His promises. He sends His helpers out, and He sends the King, Jesus, to build His house.
Memory Verse
Zechariah 6:12
And speak to him, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the LORD’s temple…
(WEB)
Ask the children to stand tall with arms raised like a branch growing up from the ground. Then have them slowly lower their arms as they say the verse together. Growing up, building, and standing tall are all ways to remember this message.
The Story: Zechariah 6 for Kids
One day Zechariah, a prophet of God, looked up and saw something amazing. Four chariots came out from between two big mountains made of bronze. Each chariot pulled horses of a different color: red, black, white, and spotted.
Zechariah wanted to know what the chariots meant, so he asked the angel who was talking with him. The angel said, “These are the four winds of heaven. They go out from standing before the Lord of all the earth.” The winds went to every part of the earth, and they walked back and forth to see what was happening.
Next, God told Zechariah to go to the house of a man named Josiah. Some of the people who had come back from the land of Babylon were there. God said, “Take silver and gold, and make crowns.” Zechariah had to set the crowns on the head of Joshua, the high priest.
Then Zechariah gave God’s message to Joshua. God said that a man named the Branch would grow up from his place. This man would build the Lord’s temple. He would sit on a throne and rule, and he would be a priest too. The message was about the coming King, Jesus.
God also said that people from far away would come and help build the temple. The crowns would stay in the temple as a reminder. God wanted His people to know that He had sent Zechariah, and that everything would happen if they listened to Him.
Read It Together
Zechariah 6:1-3
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. 2 In the first chariot were red horses; in the second chariot black horses; 3 in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot dappled horses, all of them powerful.
(WEB)
Point out that Zechariah saw the chariots and horses with his own eyes. Ask the children what it would feel like to see something so big and strange. Remind them that God uses pictures to show us His plans.
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 went everywhere to do God’s work. Explain that God’s helpers go out wherever He sends them. This shows that nothing on earth is out of God’s reach.
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 the Branch would build the temple and rule as King. Explain that this King is Jesus, who is both our King and our priest. Let the children name something Jesus does for them.
Talk About It
- What do you think Zechariah felt when he saw the four chariots?
- Why do you think God used horses and chariots to show His plans?
- What did God want the people to build, and why was it important?
- How does the crown in God’s temple remind us of Jesus?
- What is one way you can help build God’s house in your own life?
Activity Ideas
Paper Chariot Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a chariot with four horses in different colors, just like Zechariah saw. Let them add two mountains in the background. When they finish, invite them to explain their picture to the group.
Wind Walk Game
Clear a space in the room and have the children stand in one spot. Call out a direction, such as “north” or “south,” and have the children walk quickly in that direction, pretending to be the winds. Then call out “walk through the earth” and have them walk in all directions. End by having everyone freeze and say, “God is in charge.”
Crown Reminder at Home
Give each child a strip of paper, a pencil, and some tape or glue. Have them write “Jesus is King” on the strip, decorate it, and make it into a small crown. Encourage them to wear it at dinner or put it on the bedroom door, then talk about it with their family that evening.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is actively working in history, even when His people feel small or discouraged. The vision of the four chariots reminds us that God’s messengers go out to every corner of the earth. The crowned priest-king points forward to Jesus, who builds God’s house and reigns as both priest and King.
Avoid telling children that every symbol in this chapter has one exact meaning. Some details, such as the colors of the horses, are rich with meaning but are not fully explained in the text. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is in charge and that Jesus is the promised King.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are in charge of everything in the whole world. Thank You that You keep Your promises, just like You did for Zechariah and the people in his day. Help us to trust You and to follow Jesus, our King and our priest. Amen.
