This Sunday School lesson plan for children is based on Isaiah 6:1-8. It highlights God’s might and our sinfulness, emphasizing Isaiah’s willingness to serve God. The lesson aims to teach children that they can be used by God if they are willing. It includes an object lesson, prayer, game and activity suggestions, the main Bible teaching, and crafts focused on Isaiah’s call to be a prophet. The lesson concludes with a word search puzzle using words from the passage.
Send Me! Sunday School Lesson on Isaiah and God’s Call Isaiah 6:1-8
This passage from Isaiah is a wonderful reminder of God’s power and might, and of our comparable sin and impurity. It also shows us the call of Isaiah as prophet. Isaiah was willing to be used by the Lord and spoke for Him to the people. This lesson reminds children that all of us can be used by God if we are willing. We should represent Jesus to others and be known for our faith.
This Old Testament story has wonderful Gospel connections. In this passage from Isaiah, the prophet was cleansed from sin when the seraphim touched his lips with coal from the altar. We don’t need coal to cleanse us, though, because we are saved by the blood of Jesus! We recognize that we are sinful and in need of God’s grace, but in Christ we are made new and free. That’s the Gospel that we can share with others as we represent Jesus!
Bible Verses: Isaiah 6:1-8
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade (children 6-12 years old)
Teaching Context: Sunday School, Kids Church, or Children’s Ministry
Materials Needed: Paper bags, bowls, construction paper, decorative materials, scissors, tape, clothespins, popsicle sticks, assorted pictures, aluminum foil, Bible.
Lesson Opening: This lesson features some remarkable descriptions of God’s power and might, along with the importance of being willing to follow His call. God can and will use anyone for His work. We can gladly say along with the prophet “send me”! Get students ready to learn with some fun games and activities. Consider one of the following suggestions:
- Who wants to volunteer? Ask for a volunteer from the group, but after receiving one, explain that they will actually need to do a very difficult task, like lifting a heavy object or doing 50 jumping jacks. Explain that sometimes we volunteer for things without realizing the cost, but when we offer to serve God, He will always help with the task!
- Cleansing the lips: provide students with a taste of something very spicy or very salty, and have water available to quench their thirst. Explain that in the passage, Isaiah had his mouth cleansed (although ironically it was actually fire that made him clean, in that case).
- What does God look like? Read carefully the description of the seraphim in Isaiah 6:2-3. Invite students to draw as they listen, depicting what they think those creatures might have looked like.
- Coal and tongs relay: Have students line up in two groups for a relay race. One student at a time from each team will run down to the other end of a play area, and use tongs or clothespins to grab small balls of aluminum foil or rocks as “coal.” Provide a time limit or see which team empties the coal bowl the fastest (note: save this game for after the craft time if using the suggested craft).
- Proclaim the message: in honor of the prophets who proclaimed God’s messages, have students play a round of telephone. Or for a noisier version, invite them to see who can shout the loudest (while still giving a discernible message).
- Who’s that mascot? As Isaiah was a spokesman, look at several well-known mascots or company representatives, and identify what group they go with.
Explain to students that the lesson describes how God called a prophet to speak to the people on His behalf. We can be used by God in remarkable ways, too!
Bible Story Video: The Calling of Isaiah
Kids’ Bible Lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8
The passage here describes some amazing attributes of God, along with the calling of the prophet Isaiah. It is not quite as interactive as other stories, but could still be made dramatic as you see fit. Students can help to tell the story and act it out, if you wish, or listen as you present the Scripture. Older students can help take turns reading, and you can read aloud and describe for younger students.
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
-Isaiah 6:1-2
Explain that Isaiah is the speaker in these verses. He was called by God to be a prophet, and received a vision of Holy messengers. This passage describes those messengers. Often we think of angels as sweet feminine figures with wings and halos. Here, they are seen with multiple sets of wings, guarding the throne of the Lord.
Ask: How do you feel about this description? What would you think if you saw figures like this?
And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. -Isaiah 6:3-4
These words remind us of how mighty and powerful God is. The angels were singing and calling, repeating His holiness as the house shook and filled with smoke. Isaiah was overwhelmed by the whole scene, realizing that he was in the presence of God Himself.
And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
-Isaiah 6:5-6
Isaiah realized that he was tremendously unclean and sinful, and did not deserve to be in the presence of the Holy one. This is probably not the usual reaction we have to being in church or coming before the Lord in prayer. Of course, it’s fine to talk casually with God, but sometimes it might help us to adopt an attitude of reverence and consider how great He is. What an honor and blessing that we are invited to be with Him and to pray to Him. Isaiah recognized his unworthiness before God, but a solution was already at hand. The seraphim was prepared to cleanse him and allow him to stand in the presence of the Most High.
*Ask: Have you ever met someone very important? How did you feel or react with them? Do you ever think about how great God is?
And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” -Isaiah 6:7-8
This is an especially poignant part of the passage. First, Isaiah is cleansed by the coal from the seraphim. We recall that we are cleansed by the blood of Christ. Our sins, too, are atoned for. Then we have the question and response between God and Isaiah. God called out to ask who would be His messenger and spokesman. Who could he send? And Isaiah knew that this call was for him. He told God that he would go for Him and share the words He would give.
Ask: What are things that you volunteer for? What things do you think you could do for God?
Remind students that, just as Isaiah was willing to be sent and used by God, we can be His servants and messengers, too. We can represent Christ in the way that we live, serve others, and tell others about Him. God can do amazing things when we are willing to let Him work through us. Just as Isaiah did, we can say “Here I am! Send me!”
Close with prayer, thanking God for His Spirit and asking for help to share the Gospel with others.