The Sun Goes Backwards — Hezekiah Healed Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “God heard his prayer and saw his tears.”
Hezekiah was the king in Jerusalem. He trusted in the LORD. But one day King Hezekiah got very sick. He had a bad sore called a boil. He had to stay in bed.
Isaiah the prophet came to see him. A prophet is a man who tells people God’s words. Isaiah brought a message from God. “The LORD says, ‘Set your house in order.’” That meant: get everything ready. This sickness would not get better.
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall. He prayed to the LORD. “Remember now, LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth.” That means: I have followed you with my whole heart. And Hezekiah cried and cried.
Isaiah walked away. He had not yet reached the middle of the city. Then God spoke to him again. What do you think God said?
“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah, ‘I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house.’” What good news! God heard his prayer and saw his tears.
God said more. “I will add to your days fifteen years.” Fifteen more years to live! “I will deliver you and this city.” Deliver means to save. God would save them from the king of Assyria.
Then Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” Figs are soft, sweet fruits. They were pressed together into a cake. They laid it on the king’s sore. And Hezekiah got well! God heard his prayer and saw his tears.
Hezekiah asked, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me?” A sign is something that shows God will really do it.
Isaiah said, “Should the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” The shadow was on a sundial – a clock that uses the sun’s shadow. It was called the sundial of Ahaz. Ahaz had been Hezekiah’s father.
Every day the sun moved across the sky. And every day the shadow moved forward, step by step.
Hezekiah said, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.” A light thing means an easy thing. But going backward would be a real wonder!
Isaiah cried out to the LORD. And the LORD moved the shadow back, ten steps! Let’s count the steps backward: ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! God heard his prayer and saw his tears.
When Hezekiah was well again, he wrote a song to God. He wrote, “You restore me, and cause me to live.” Restore means to make well again.
He wrote, “The living, the living, he shall praise you, as I do today. The father shall make known your truth to the children.” Moms and dads tell their children about God, like we do tonight.
He also wrote, “We will sing my songs with stringed instruments.” He wanted to sing to God all the days of his life. Stringed instruments are like harps. Can you play a pretend harp? Strum, strum!
The LORD is a God who listens when we pray. God heard his prayer and saw his tears.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Hezekiah felt when Isaiah came back with good news?
- What do you think the people said when they saw the shadow go backward?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 10 steps the shadow went back.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears.” — 2 Kings 20:5 (heard your prayer → hand behind your ear; seen your tears → fingers trace tears down your cheeks)
Dear God, thank you that you hear my prayers. Thank you that you see me when I am sad. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God hears our prayers
Memory verse: “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.” — 2 Kings 20:5 · WEB
The Bible story
Good King Hezekiah was very ill and afraid, but when he prayed, God gave a wonder in the sky so amazing the sun itself walked backwards.
Talk about it
- What did Isaiah first tell the sick king? — Get your house ready
- What happened to King Hezekiah in the story? — He became very ill
- Who was the prophet that came to visit the king? — Isaiah
- What did Hezekiah do when he felt frightened and sad? — He prayed to God
- What did God say about Hezekiah's prayer? — I have seen your tears
- What good message did God send back to the king? — I will heal you
Where is Jesus in this story?
God answered Hezekiah's prayer and gave him fifteen more years of life (2 Kings 20:6). That was a wonderful gift, but one day Hezekiah still died. Jesus offers something much bigger. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Life with Jesus never ends.
What God wants to tell us
When Hezekiah was frightened and sad, he did not hide his feelings. He turned to God and prayed with honest tears, and God listened with love. This story shows us that God is never too busy or too far away to hear us. Whatever worries you, big or small, you can always talk to God. He cares about you, He is stronger than any problem, and He loves to answer with kindness.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for hearing me when I talk to You. When I feel sick or scared, help me to remember that You are close and You love me. Thank You for Your care every day. Amen.
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