Daniel 6:1-28

Daniel in the Lions' Den Bible lesson for kids

A complete Daniel in the Lions' Den lesson plan for Sunday school or homeschool — one version for each age band, from preschool to preteen. Pick the section that matches your kids and teach.

Jump to Ages 4–6Jump to Ages 6–9Jump to Ages 9–12

Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 4–6

Objective

Children will understand that Daniel kept praying and trusted God when he was afraid.

Opening question

What helps you feel brave when something is scary?

Tell the story

Read Daniel 6:1-28 together. King Darius trusted Daniel, but jealous officials tricked the king into making a law against prayer. Daniel kept kneeling and praying to God three times each day, so he was put into a lions’ den. God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and in the morning Daniel came out safely.

Hands-on activities

Daniel Prays Coloring Page

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons

  1. Give each child our free printable coloring page.
  2. Point to Daniel, the window, and the lions.
  3. Color the picture together.
  4. Draw three small suns to remember that Daniel prayed three times a day.
  5. Say, “Daniel kept praying,” together.

Quiet Lions Movement Game

Materials: two chairs, a blanket

  1. Place the blanket over two chairs to make a den.
  2. Crawl around and pretend to be lions.
  3. Close your mouths and freeze when the teacher says, “God shut the lions’ mouths.”
  4. Let one child pretend to be Daniel walking safely through the quiet den.
  5. Repeat until everyone has a turn.

Talk about it

  1. What did Daniel do after the new law was signed?
  2. Who shut the lions’ mouths?
  3. When can you talk to God?

Closing prayer

God, help us pray, trust you, and do what is right.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will explain how Daniel’s prayer habit helped him courageously obey God.

Opening question

Would you keep doing the right thing if other people tried to stop you?

Tell the story

Read Daniel 6:1-28 together. Jealous officials could not find Daniel doing anything wrong, so they tricked King Darius into signing a law that made prayer to anyone except the king illegal. Daniel continued his usual habit of praying to God three times a day and was thrown into the lions’ den. God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and the amazed king praised Daniel’s God.

Hands-on activities

Color and Find the Courage

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons or colored pencils, pencil

  1. Hand out our free printable coloring page.
  2. Color Daniel with calm colors and the den with dark colors.
  3. Circle details that show danger.
  4. Draw a small window and three prayer symbols in the background.
  5. Write one word that describes Daniel’s courage.
  6. Share the word with the group.

Three Times a Day Prayer Reminder

Materials: sheet of paper, pencil, crayons, tape

  1. Fold the paper into three sections.
  2. Label the sections morning, afternoon, and evening.
  3. Draw one thing you can thank God for in each section.
  4. Add one person or problem you can pray about.
  5. Tape the reminder near your bed or desk.
  6. Practice one short prayer together.

Talk about it

  1. Why did the officials choose Daniel’s prayer life for their trap?
  2. How did Daniel’s regular prayer habit prepare him for danger?
  3. How can we do what is right without being rude or unkind?

Closing prayer

God, help us build a habit of prayer and courageously obey you.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Children will consider how prayer habits and trust in God prepare them to act courageously when obedience is costly.

Opening question

How can you decide what is right when rules, friends, and faith seem to pull you in different directions?

Tell the story

Read Daniel 6:1-28 together. Daniel’s jealous coworkers found no corruption or failure in him, so they manipulated King Darius into signing a law aimed at his faithful prayer. Daniel did not create a dramatic protest; he simply continued praying three times a day as he had before, even though the penalty was the lions’ den. God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, Daniel emerged unharmed, and Darius publicly praised the living God.

Hands-on activities

Courage in the Picture

Materials: our free printable coloring page, colored pencils, pencil

  1. Study our free printable coloring page before coloring it.
  2. Shade areas of danger with dark colors and signs of hope with bright colors.
  3. Add a thought bubble showing what Daniel might pray without claiming these were his exact words.
  4. Write one prayer habit you want to practice at the bottom.
  5. Share your idea with a partner if you wish.

Courage Case Cards

Materials: scrap paper, pencils, bowl

  1. Write situations involving cheating, gossip, bullying, prayer, or unfair pressure on separate papers.
  2. Place the papers in a bowl.
  3. Draw one situation at a time.
  4. Discuss what is right, what it might cost, and which trusted adult could help.
  5. Act out a calm and respectful response.
  6. Name one way prayer could prepare you before the situation occurs.

Talk about it

  1. Why is Daniel’s quiet faithfulness a form of courage?
  2. Does God’s presence always mean danger disappears, and what does this story actually promise?
  3. When might disobeying a rule be right, and how can prayer, Scripture, and wise adults help you decide?

Closing prayer

God, help us pray faithfully, choose what is right, and trust your presence.

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