Lesson

Daniel in the Lions' Den Sunday School Lesson for Kids

A free Daniel in the lions' den Sunday school lesson (Daniel 6) in four age levels, preschool to preteen: a game, Bible story, questions, verse and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Daniel in the Lions' Den Sunday School Lesson for Kids

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: Daniel 6
Bible story: Daniel in the Lions' Den

What you need

A Bible (mark Daniel 6:10 and Daniel 6:22)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
8 paper "lion" faces or yellow paper circles, a marker and tape (memory verse game)
A blanket or a table to make a "den" (optional, great for preschool)
A whiteboard or large paper and a marker (3rd grade and up)
Paper and pencils (preteens)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed Daniel in the Lions' Den word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Daniel in the Lions' Den Sunday school lesson teaches kids to keep praying and stay faithful to God, even when it's hard, because He is able to rescue us. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, a blanket "den" to crawl into, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths") with motions, and a happy lion drawing.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, and the Lion Faces memory verse game with eight paper lions.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (the 120 princes, the law of the Medes and Persians, the king's seal, the long night), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Daniel 6 out loud themselves, then discuss faithfulness that people can see, daily prayer habits, honesty and respect for leaders. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Daniel 6:22 and Hebrews 11:33).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: Daniel 6:1–28
Main point: Keep praying and stay faithful to God, even when it's hard. God is able to rescue us.
Memory verse: Daniel 6:22 (KJV), with Hebrews 11:33 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game about lions and keeping mouths shut, or about a law that can't be changed.
Bible story: jealous leaders, the king's law, Daniel praying three times a day by his open window, the night in the den, the angel who shut the lions' mouths, and the king's letter about the living God. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motions to help kids learn Daniel 6:22.
What this means for us: pray every day like Daniel, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
Activity: the Daniel in the Lions' Den word search, a coloring page, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching Daniel in the lions' den

Read Daniel 6:10 straight from your Bible. Daniel prayed "as he did aforetime": his faithfulness was a habit long before the lions.
The memory verse is long. Younger kids can learn the first half; older kids can finish it.
The lessons for younger kids leave out what happened to Daniel's accusers afterward (Daniel 6:24). Read it yourself before class. The 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons give you a short, gentle answer in case someone asks.
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this Daniel in the Lions' Den lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What age is this lesson for?

All ages from preschool to preteen. The lesson comes in four separate teacher PDFs: preschool (ages 3 to 5), kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, and preteens (ages 11 to 12). Each one tells the same Bible story at the right length and reading level, with its own questions and activity.

What is the main point of Daniel in the lions' den for kids?

Daniel kept praying to God even when it was against the law, and God protected him. We can stay faithful to God, and He is able to rescue us (Daniel 6:10, 6:22, 6:27).

Why was Daniel thrown into the lions' den?

Jealous leaders tricked King Darius into signing a law that for thirty days no one could pray to any god or man except the king (Daniel 6:4–9). Daniel kept praying to God three times a day, so they reported him (6:10–13).

How did God save Daniel from the lions?

Daniel told the king, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, that they have not hurt me" (Daniel 6:22). When he was lifted out, no hurt at all was found on him, because he believed in his God (6:23).

Is this Sunday school lesson really free?

Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your church, school or home. Please don't resell it.