Daniel and the Lion’s Den Sunday School Lesson for Kids
Have a stress-free class with this done-for-you Daniel and the Lion’s Den Sunday School lesson. Download the free pdf for your 7-12 year-olds.
Do you remember the first time you heard the story of Daniel and the angels who shut the mouths of the lions?
I sure don’t.
But I do know that someone told me sometime in my life as a child. It became a part of my life and helped build my faith at a young age.
This Daniel in the Lion’s Den Sunday School lesson is meant for a new generation of kids learning about our great God and all He can do!
Sometimes we take for granted that our kids know all the great stories. But the truth is, everyone has to read and learn these Bible stories themselves.
Use this free printable Sunday school lesson to introduce kids to the story of Daniel and how God delivered him from the den of lions.
Tips for Teaching the Story of Daniel
If you want to make the most of this Daniel and the Lion’s Den Sunday School lesson, here are few tips!
Teach from an open Bible.
Even if you are using a printed lesson or visual aids as you teach the lesson of Daniel, keep your Bible open in front of you.
Let your children or students know that this story comes directly from the Bible.
Make sure kids know it is a true story.
Our kids are never without things to entertain them. In fact, movies, TV shows, and videos are available at their fingertips.
We want to make sure our kids know these are not just stories like those we read in books.
This is a true story that really happened!
Remind kids we serve the same God.
As kids learn the story of Daniel, make a point to tell them that it was God Who delivered Daniel. Then, remind them that we are praying to the same God and He is at work in their lives every day!
Get creative!
Kids love when a teacher/parent uses different voices and fun facial expressions while reading. You don’t have to be fancy, but make it fun!
Daniel in the Lion’s Den Bible Lesson
The following Bible lesson is perfect for your Sunday school class, as a resource for homeschooling, or as a fun family devotional!
Age Level: 7-12 (3rd-7th grade)
The story of Daniel teaches kids about:
- Prayer
- Courage
- Faith
- The Power of God
Memory Verse: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Scripture Reference: Daniel 6
The Story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den for Sunday School
When Daniel was a young man, he was taken captive from his homeland of Judah and carried away to Babylon.
There, he served King Nebuchadnezzar faithfully for many years. But Daniel never forgot his God or his faith.
Eventually, a new king came to power in Babylon. His name was King Darius. Even though Daniel was a captive in a foreign land, he had a good reputation as a hard worker.
He was smart and kind and everyone in the kingdom had great respect for him.
King Darius decided that he needed some help as he ruled the kingdom. So, he chose one hundred twenty princes over his kingdom.
He chose the three best men to be presidents over the princes–and Daniel was their chief.
The other presidents and princes were wicked men who hated Daniel. They began to watch Daniel every day, trying to find a fault in him.
They wanted to prove that Daniel was doing something wrong so they could take his position away from him.
But Daniel was so faithful in his service to God and to the king, they couldn’t find anything wrong in him!
Daniel’s enemies knew that if they wanted to remove him from his high position, they would need to attack his faith.
Daniel’s faith was no secret in Babylon. In fact, he knelt in front of his window, facing Jerusalem, and prayed three times each day.
The wicked advisors made a plan and went to see the king.
“Oh, King, live forever, ” they said. “All of your princes, presidents, governors, counselors, and captains have met together to establish a new law in the land.”
These evil men told the king their plan was to establish a new law stating that no one could pray or make a petition to any God or man other than the king for thirty days.
If any man broke this law, they would be thrown into the den of lions.
The king thought this was a wonderful idea!
He didn’t seem to notice that his loyal servant Daniel wasn’t a part of the group who came to talk to him. He signed the decree and made it a law.
When the king put his seal on the decree, it became a law of the Medes and Persians, which meant the king could not change his mind.
Once he signed it, it was done.
Soon enough, Daniel heard about the law, too. He didn’t run and hide. Instead, he went to his house, opened his window, and prayed, just like he always did.
Do you know what Daniel prayed?
He didn’t only ask God to save him or protect him from harm. The Bible says that Daniel gave thanks.
That seems odd for someone who is about to face death, don’t you think?
But Daniel knew his God was more powerful than anyone in the kingdom of Babylon–even more powerful than the king himself. He had faith that God would take care of him no matter what.
Daniel’s enemies were waiting and watching, and as soon as they saw Daniel praying, they ran back to the king.
“King Darius, didn’t you make a law that no one could pray to any God or man but you for thirty days? And if anyone disobeyed your command, they would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
“Yes,” Darius replied, “that was my command, and it cannot be changed.”
“Well, King,” that man, Daniel, who is one of the captives of Judah has disobeyed your law. He prays to his God three times a day.”
When King Darius heard this news, he was very sad. He liked Daniel, and he was sorry he had made the law.
The Bible says that the king worked all night trying to find a way to change the law and save Daniel’s life. But he wasn’t able to do it.
The next day, the wicked men came back to the king again. They reminded him that he was unable to change the law, and Daniel must be punished.
King Darius called Daniel and had him thrown into the den of hungry lions.
As Daniel was being thrown into the lion’s den, the king said, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”
The king’s servants brought a stone and laid it over the top of the den. Then, he went home and spent a long night worrying and fretting!
He wasn’t able to sleep because he was so worried about his servant and friend, Daniel.
Very early the next morning King Darius jumped up and ran to the lion’s den.
With fear in his heart, he shouted into the den, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”
Suddenly, he heard Daniel’s voice, “O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.”
The king was so excited that he had his servant immediately remove the stone and get Daniel out of the den of lions. He wasn’t hurt at all because he believed in God.
Then, the king had all of the wicked princes and presidents and their families thrown into the lions’ den instead.
After this, the king made another law. He declared throughout the whole Babylonian empire that no one was to worship anyone or anything other than Daniel’s God.
King Darius made this decree, “For he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Story Conclusion
Today’s story comes directly from God’s Word, and it is 100% true! This Bible story reminds us that God is powerful, and He cares for His children.
The God of Daniel is the only God, and He hears and answers the prayers of His children.
Remember, Daniel was a captive in the land of Babylon. He could’ve walked away from his faith. He could’ve become angry and bitter.
Instead, Daniel chose to follow God’s law and honor Him by serving those around him with a good attitude and a happy heart.
This is a great lesson for us, too. God is worthy of our worship, even when situations don’t always go our way. We can still be faithful in hard times and have courage even when we’re afraid.
Even though you’re just a kid, you can serve God by being faithful, obeying with a good attitude and trusting God’s plan for your life.
Daniel and the Lion’s Den Sunday School Lesson Questions
- From what land was Daniel taken captive?
- Who was the king of Babylon when Daniel was a young man?
- Who became the new king of Babylon?
- How many princes did Darius choose?
- How many princes were over the presidents?
- What command did Darius make?
- Was Darius happy to throw Daniel to the lions?
- Why did the lions not hurt Daniel?
- What happened to the wicked presidents?
- What new commandment did Darius make?
- What did you learn from the story of Daniel and the Lions’ Den?
Would you like to see more free Sunday School lessons? Leave a comment letting me know what story you’d like to see next!
