Single lesson
Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1–14; Ezekiel 37:15–28
Ezekiel 37:1–14 gives a striking prophetic picture of hopelessness changed by Yahweh’s word and Spirit. The passage itself explains its meaning, so we can read it as prophecy and teaching about what Yahweh says he will do for his people. This lesson also brings together One Nation with One King.
Before you teach
In this passage, Ezekiel is carried by Yahweh’s Spirit into a valley full of very dry bones. Yahweh questions him, commands him to prophesy, and then explains that the bones represent the whole house of Israel, who say their hope is lost. Yahweh answers that despair with his own promise.
Explain the central teaching of Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that when Israel says it is cut off and without hope, Yahweh declares that his word and Spirit will bring life and show that he has spoken and performed it. This passage teaches that Yahweh promises to unite his people, rule them under one king, cleanse them, and dwell with them in lasting peace.
Welcome: Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones
5 minIntroduce “The Valley of Dry Bones”, “One Nation with One King” and locate Ezekiel 37:1–14; Ezekiel 37:15–28. This passage teaches that when Israel says it is cut off and without hope, Yahweh declares that his word and Spirit will bring life and show that he has spoken and performed it. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Ezekiel 37:1, Ezekiel 37:8, Ezekiel 37:14
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1–14): The vision begins with Yahweh’s hand on Ezekiel and Yahweh’s Spirit setting him in a valley full of bones. The bones are not only many, but very dry, which stresses how complete the lifelessness is. When Yahweh asks whether they can live, Ezekiel answers by placing the knowledge with the Lord Yahweh. This keeps the focus on Yahweh’s power and knowledge.
One Nation with One King (Ezekiel 37:15–28): Yahweh tells Ezekiel to take two sticks and label them, one for Judah and one for Joseph or Ephraim with the house of Israel. Ezekiel must join them into one stick in his hand. This acted sign is meant to be seen and to raise a question about its meaning.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Valley of Dry Bones”, “One Nation with One King”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Ezekiel 37:1, Ezekiel 37:2, Ezekiel 37:3, Ezekiel 37:15, Ezekiel 37:16, Ezekiel 37:17, Ezekiel 37:18
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What details in the opening vision make the situation seem completely hopeless?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage teaches that Yahweh promises to unite his people, rule them under one king, cleanse them, and dwell with them in lasting peace. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Ezekiel 37:2, Ezekiel 37:3, Ezekiel 37:6, Ezekiel 37:13, Ezekiel 37:14, Ezekiel 37:21, Ezekiel 37:23, Ezekiel 37:26, Ezekiel 37:27, Ezekiel 37:28
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Valley of Dry Bones”, “One Nation with One King” 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 37:1, Ezekiel 37:15, Ezekiel 37:28
Closing: return to One Nation with One King
3 minRevisit Ezekiel 37:15–28. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about One Nation with One King 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 37:15, Ezekiel 37:22, Ezekiel 37:28
Questions to explore
What details in the opening vision make the situation seem completely hopeless?
Look for the repeated descriptions in the valley and notice how Ezekiel answers Yahweh’s question about whether the bones can live.
Ezekiel 37:2, Ezekiel 37:3
Why is the phrase “you will know that I am Yahweh” important in this passage?
Notice when Yahweh says these words and connect them to his actions of giving life and keeping his promise.
Ezekiel 37:6, Ezekiel 37:13, Ezekiel 37:14
Besides unity, what other gifts does Yahweh promise his people?
List the promises in order: gathering, cleansing, peace, covenant, sanctuary, and God’s own presence with them.
Ezekiel 37:21, Ezekiel 37:23, Ezekiel 37:26, Ezekiel 37:27, Ezekiel 37:28
Make, think or respond
Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones: 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 37:1–14; Ezekiel 37:15–28. Use “The Valley of Dry Bones”, “One Nation with One King” 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 37: The Valley of Dry Bones 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 “The Valley of Dry Bones”, “One Nation with One King” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Ezekiel 37:1–14; Ezekiel 37:15–28. 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 37:1–14; Ezekiel 37:15–28. 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 37
1 Yahweh’s hand was on me, and he brought me out in Yahweh’s Spirit, and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2 He caused me to pass by them all around; and behold, there were very many in the open valley, and behold, they were very dry.
3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”
4 Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word.
5 The Lord Yahweh says to these bones: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live.
6 I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” ’ ”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, there was an earthquake. Then the bones came together, bone to its bone.
8 I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost. We are completely cut off.’
12 Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
13 You will know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people.
14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. Then I will place you in your own land; and you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it,” says Yahweh.’ ”
15 Yahweh’s word came again to me, saying,
16 “You, son of man, take one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions.’ Then take another stick, and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions.’
17 Then join them for yourself to one another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.
18 “When the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Won’t you show us what you mean by these?’
19 tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in my hand.
20 The sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.” ’
21 Say to them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.
22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. One king will be king to them all. They will no longer be two nations. They won’t be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.
23 They won’t defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will save them out of all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. So they will be my people, and I will be their God.
24 “ ‘ “My servant David will be king over them. They all will have one shepherd. They will also walk in my ordinances and observe my statutes, and do them.
25 They will dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, in which your fathers lived. They will dwell therein, they, and their children, and their children’s children, forever. David my servant will be their prince forever.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them. It will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will place them, multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forever more.
27 My tent also will be with them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
28 The nations will know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forever more.” ’ ”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
