Single lesson
Ezekiel 2: Ezekiel’s Call
Ezekiel 2:1–10
Ezekiel 2:1–10 shows God preparing Ezekiel to receive a hard prophetic task. God makes him stand, sends him to rebellious people, warns him not to fear them, and places before him a sorrowful message.
Before you teach
In this passage, God speaks directly to Ezekiel and calls him “son of man”. The Spirit sets him on his feet so he can hear. God then sends him to the children of Israel, describes their rebellion, commands Ezekiel to speak God’s words, and shows him a scroll filled with grief.
Explain the central teaching of Ezekiel 2: Ezekiel’s Call, using two details from the reading. God sends Ezekiel to speak his words faithfully, even when the people are rebellious and the message is heavy.
Welcome: Ezekiel 2: Ezekiel’s Call
5 minIntroduce “Ezekiel’s Call” and locate Ezekiel 2:1–10. God sends Ezekiel to speak his words faithfully, even when the people are rebellious and the message is heavy. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Ezekiel 2:1, Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 2:10
Read and explain the passage
12 minGod begins with a command: “Stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” Ezekiel does not stand by his own strength alone, because “the Spirit entered into me” and set him on his feet. Then he hears the one speaking. The passage starts with God making his messenger ready to listen.
The people may hear, or they may refuse, yet Ezekiel must still speak God’s words. God says they are “a rebellious house”, but his command does not change. Their response is uncertain, while Ezekiel’s task is clear. Through this, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Ezekiel sees a hand stretched out with “a scroll of a book”. It is written “within and without”, showing it is full on both sides. Its contents are named plainly: “lamentations, mourning, and woe”. The message Ezekiel is given is serious and sorrowful.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Ezekiel’s Call”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Ezekiel 2:1, Ezekiel 2:2, Ezekiel 2:5, Ezekiel 2:7, Ezekiel 2:9, Ezekiel 2:10
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What happens before Ezekiel hears the speaker?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. God sends Ezekiel to speak his words faithfully, even when the people are rebellious and the message is heavy. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Ezekiel 2:1, Ezekiel 2:2, Ezekiel 2:3, Ezekiel 2:4, Ezekiel 2:5, Ezekiel 2:7, Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 2:8
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Ezekiel 2: Ezekiel’s Call: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Ezekiel’s Call” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Ezekiel 2:1, Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 2:10
Closing: return to Ezekiel’s Call
3 minRevisit Ezekiel 2:1–10. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Ezekiel’s Call and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Ezekiel 2:1, Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 2:10
Questions to explore
What happens before Ezekiel hears the speaker?
Follow the order in the text: God tells him to stand, the Spirit enters him and sets him on his feet, and then he hears.
Ezekiel 2:1, Ezekiel 2:2
How does God describe the people Ezekiel is sent to?
Collect the passage’s own words, including rebels, transgressed, impudent, stiff-hearted, and rebellious house.
Ezekiel 2:3, Ezekiel 2:4, Ezekiel 2:5, Ezekiel 2:7
What two warnings does Ezekiel receive for this task?
Look for one warning about fear and one about becoming rebellious himself.
Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 2:8
Make, think or respond
Ezekiel 2: Ezekiel’s Call: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Ezekiel 2:1–10. Use “Ezekiel’s Call” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Ezekiel 2: Ezekiel’s Call connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Ezekiel’s Call” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Ezekiel 2:1–10. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Ezekiel 2:1–10. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ezekiel 2
1 He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
2 The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.
3 He said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the children of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day.
4 The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’
5 They, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that there has been a prophet among them.
6 You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
7 You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear or whether they will refuse; for they are most rebellious.
8 But you, son of man, hear what I tell you. Don’t be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat that which I give you.”
9 When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
10 He spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.