Luke 1:5-25 · Luke 1:57-80

Zechariah and Elizabeth Bible lesson for kids

A complete Zechariah and Elizabeth 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 God heard Zechariah and Elizabeth, kept his promise, and deserves our praise.

Opening question

What is something that is hard to wait for?

Tell the story

Read Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:57-80 together. Zechariah and Elizabeth loved God, but they had waited many years for a child. The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that God had heard their prayer and would give them a son named John. When John was born and received his promised name, Zechariah could speak again and praised God.

Hands-on activities

Silent Good News

Materials: Paper, Crayons

  1. Draw simple pictures of a baby, an ear, and a smiling face.
  2. Explain that Zechariah could not speak while he waited for God's promise.
  3. Let each child choose a picture and communicate its meaning without talking.
  4. Invite everyone to say, God hears us, together.
  5. Raise both hands and cheer because God kept his promise.

Promise Picture

Materials: Our free printable coloring page, Crayons or washable markers

  1. Give each child our free printable coloring page.
  2. Find Zechariah, Elizabeth, Gabriel, and Baby John in the picture.
  3. Color while briefly retelling what happened.
  4. Draw a small heart near Baby John to remember that God loved this family.
  5. Say, God keeps his promises, when everyone finishes.

Talk about it

  1. Who told Zechariah that a baby was coming?
  2. What did Zechariah write when the baby needed a name?
  3. What can we remember when waiting feels hard?

Closing prayer

We thank you, God, for hearing us and keeping your promises.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will explain how God worked during a long wait and choose one way to trust or praise him while waiting.

Opening question

How do you feel when an answer takes much longer than you expected?

Tell the story

Read Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:57-80 together. Zechariah and Elizabeth had no child and were old, but Gabriel announced that their prayer had been heard and their son John would prepare people for the Lord. Zechariah doubted the message, so he could not speak until the promise happened. After John was born and named, Zechariah spoke again and praised the God who remembers his promises.

Hands-on activities

Act the Waiting Story

Materials: Towel or scarf, Paper, Pencil

  1. Choose children to portray Zechariah, Elizabeth, Gabriel, and the neighbors.
  2. Use the towel or scarf as Gabriel's costume.
  3. Act out Gabriel's message and Zechariah's silent response.
  4. Have Zechariah communicate with gestures while the others guess his message.
  5. Write His name is John on the paper.
  6. Finish with everyone pretending to praise God together.

Waiting and Praise Page

Materials: Our free printable coloring page, Crayons or colored pencils, Pencil

  1. Hand out our free printable coloring page.
  2. Color one part while recalling what Zechariah and Elizabeth waited for.
  3. Write God hears beside a character who waited.
  4. Write God keeps his promises near Baby John.
  5. Add a speech bubble showing a short sentence of praise to God.
  6. Share the completed pages if children wish.

Talk about it

  1. Why do you think Zechariah found Gabriel's message hard to believe?
  2. What was God doing even when Zechariah and Elizabeth could not see an answer?
  3. How can you pray, trust, or praise God during a long wait?

Closing prayer

We praise you, God, because you hear our prayers and work while we wait.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Children will examine Zechariah's doubt and identify a faithful response to unanswered prayer or a difficult wait.

Opening question

Can someone have questions and still learn to trust God?

Tell the story

Read Luke 1:5-25 and Luke 1:57-80 together. After years without a child, Zechariah and Elizabeth received God's surprising promise that their son John would prepare people for the Lord. Zechariah questioned Gabriel and remained unable to speak until John was born and given the name God had chosen. With his voice restored, Zechariah praised God's mercy and announced that John would prepare the Lord's way.

Hands-on activities

Waiting Case Cards

Materials: Scrap paper, Pencils, Bowl

  1. Write situations such as waiting for a friend, healing, an apology, or an answered prayer on separate papers.
  2. Place the papers in a bowl.
  3. Let each child draw one situation.
  4. Discuss what an impatient response might look like.
  5. Discuss what a faithful response could look like without pretending the wait is easy.
  6. Write one helpful action, one honest prayer, and one reason for hope.

Promise and Response Study

Materials: Our free printable coloring page, Colored pencils, Pencil

  1. Give each child our free printable coloring page.
  2. Color details that show waiting, fulfillment, or praise.
  3. Label those details with the words waiting, promise, and praise.
  4. Write one question Zechariah may have wrestled with.
  5. Write one truth the passage gives in response.
  6. Use our free printable coloring page to retell the story to a partner.

Talk about it

  1. Was Zechariah's request for proof understandable, and what warning can we learn from his unbelief?
  2. Why is waiting not the same as God forgetting us?
  3. How can you support a friend whose prayer has not been answered in the way they hoped?

Closing prayer

We bring you our honest questions, God, and ask you to help us wait with hope.

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