Single lesson
Daniel and the Dragon
Daniel (Greek) 14:23–27
This lesson helps children follow a short but striking part of Daniel (Greek) 14. They will put the events in order, notice what Daniel says about God, and compare the people’s worship with Daniel’s choice.
Before you teach
In Daniel (Greek) 14:23–27, the people of Babylon worship a great dragon. The king points to the dragon’s life, eating, and drinking, and tells Daniel to worship it too. Daniel answers that he will worship the Lord his God, then asks permission to kill the dragon without sword or staff.
Students will be able to retell the sequence in Daniel (Greek) 14:23–27 and state that Daniel chose to worship the Lord his God instead of the dragon.
Welcome: Spot the big choice
4 minShow two headings on paper: “Worship the dragon” and “Worship the Lord my God”. Explain that in this passage the king tells Daniel to worship the dragon, but Daniel answers differently. Tell children to listen for who speaks, what choice is offered, and what happens next.
Daniel (Greek) 14:24, Daniel (Greek) 14:25
Read and explain: What the passage says
8 minRead the passage slowly. Explain that the text says the people of Babylon worshipped a great dragon. The king argues that the dragon lives, eats, and drinks. Daniel replies, “I will worship the Lord my God; for he is a living God.” Then Daniel asks for permission to kill the dragon without sword or staff.
Daniel (Greek) 14:23, Daniel (Greek) 14:24, Daniel (Greek) 14:25, Daniel (Greek) 14:26
Discuss: Choices and outcomes
6 minAsk the group to trace the choices in order. The people worship the dragon. The king tells Daniel to worship it too. Daniel chooses to worship the Lord his God. The king allows Daniel to act. Daniel prepares lumps from pitch, fat, and hair, gives them to the dragon, and the dragon bursts apart.
Daniel (Greek) 14:23, Daniel (Greek) 14:24, Daniel (Greek) 14:25, Daniel (Greek) 14:26, Daniel (Greek) 14:27
Make and respond: Story sequence cards
8 minChildren make five simple cards showing the main events: the dragon is worshipped, the king speaks, Daniel answers, the king allows Daniel, and the dragon bursts apart. As they order the cards, prompt them to match each card to the words of the passage and to notice Daniel’s final statement about “the gods you all worship”.
Daniel (Greek) 14:23, Daniel (Greek) 14:24, Daniel (Greek) 14:25, Daniel (Greek) 14:26, Daniel (Greek) 14:27
Closing: Say the lesson back
4 minInvite each child to tell the story in one or two sentences using the ordered cards. Finish by repeating Daniel’s words together: “I will worship the Lord my God”. Explain that this sentence clearly shows Daniel’s choice in the passage.
Daniel (Greek) 14:25, Daniel (Greek) 14:27
Questions to explore
What reasons does the king give for telling Daniel to worship the dragon?
Look closely at the king’s words about the dragon being alive and about it eating and drinking.
Daniel (Greek) 14:24
What exact words show Daniel’s choice?
Answer by quoting Daniel’s reply about whom he will worship and why.
Daniel (Greek) 14:25
What happens after the king allows Daniel to act?
Follow the order in verse 27 from Daniel’s preparation, to the dragon eating, to Daniel’s final statement.
Daniel (Greek) 14:26, Daniel (Greek) 14:27
Make, think or respond
Five-Card Story Sequence
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- scissors
- Bible passage written out or read aloud
Try it together
- Help children identify five events from the passage.
- Have them draw one simple picture for each event on separate cards.
- Mix the cards up and ask children to place them back in order.
- Invite them to retell the passage by pointing to each card in sequence.
This activity helps children follow the order of Daniel (Greek) 14:23–27 and notice Daniel’s clear choice to worship the Lord his God.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the five event titles verbally and let them draw only one symbol on each card, then sequence them together as a group.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to add a short quotation from each verse onto the matching card, especially Daniel’s reply in Daniel (Greek) 14:25.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord God, thank you for this passage. Please help us learn from Daniel’s choice to worship you. Help us listen carefully to your word and speak truthfully about what it says. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Daniel (Greek) 14
23 In that same place there was a great dragon which the people of Babylon worshiped.
24 The king said to Daniel, “Will you also say that this is of brass? Behold, he lives, eats and drinks. You can’t say that he is no living god. Therefore worship him.”
25 Then Daniel said, “I will worship the Lord my God; for he is a living God.
26 But allow me, O king, and I will kill this dragon without sword or staff.” The king said, “I allow you.”
27 Then Daniel took pitch, fat, and hair, and melted them together, and made lumps of them. He put these in the dragon’s mouth, so the dragon ate and burst apart. Daniel said, “Behold, these are the gods you all worship.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.