The Fiery Furnace - Bible Lessons for Kids
What does it look like to stand strong in faith, even when it’s difficult? The story of the Fiery Furnace teaches children about courage, obedience, and trusting God no matter the circumstances. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the king’s statue, they chose faith in God over fear. There are so many great crafts, activities, and printable lesson ideas that pair well with this story to help kids understand and remember it in a way that will stick.
STORY OF THE FIERY FURNACE
The story of the Fiery Furnace is found in Daniel 3. King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had a giant statue erected, and he insisted that everyone bow down to it when they heard music. If anyone refused, they would be thrown into the fiery furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obeyed God and knew that bowing to statues was wrong. When the music played, they refused to bow down to the statue. As a result, they were thrown into the furnace.
When the king looked into the furnace, he saw a fourth person walking around with the three men. He described the person as looking like “a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar called for them, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked out of the furnace completely unharmed. They didn’t even smell like smoke. God had saved them!
The Fiery Furnace Bible Lessons for Kids
Are you teaching the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Click to grab our scripted lessons, discussion questions, activities, and printable crafts. Perfect for kids aged 3 to 8.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIERY FURNACE
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were friends with Daniel. When they were younger, the four of them were captured from Israel and brought to Babylon. Over the years, they earned positions of authority and became respected leaders in Babylon.
However, when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to listen to the king’s orders, he became furious. (Daniel is not mentioned in this story, so it is likely he was not around when this story took place.)
Many people wonder who the fourth person was in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We aren’t exactly sure, but some people believe it was an angel, and others believe it was Jesus!
Fiery furnace CRAFTs FOR KIDS
For Preschool
Kids will love recreating the fiery furnace scene using the template pieces provided in The Fiery Furnace for Preschool. Have kids color the pieces. Then an adult will have to use a sharp knife to cut around the door so it can flap open. This can be tricky for little fingers, so I recommend an adult do it so the door doesn’t get accidentally cut off!
The kids will glue in the fire and four people behind the door so it can open to reveal what is inside. This story is a powerful reminder that God is always with us, just like he was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!
For Older Kids
For older kids, turn the fiery furnace into a meaningful flip-through craft. Give kids three flaps where they can write or draw different hard situations where they can remember that God is with them. They might think about times when they feel worried, lonely, left out, afraid, or unsure of what to do.
As kids work, talk about how God didn’t keep Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from going into the furnace, but He was with them in the middle of it. Ask kids: When is it hardest to remember that God is with you? How can knowing God is with you help when something feels scary or difficult? Remind them that being a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t experience hard things. We can trust that we are never alone.
A printable version of this flip-through craft is included in The Fiery Furnace for Older Kids.
OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE FIERY FURNACE
Freeze Dance: In the story, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were instructed to bow down to the statue when they heard the music. Make a fun connection to this by playing a game of “opposite” freeze dance. Have kids dance or move when there is no music playing, then freeze in place when the music starts, just like the three friends refused to bow down when the music started.
Fiery Object Lesson: Depending on your teaching context, you might want to consider doing a fiery object lesson using a cotton cloth, water and rubbing alcohol. This object lesson will be seared in kids’ minds after they see how the cotton cloth wasn’t burned by the fire! Check out a video and instructions for this fiery object lesson from Teaching Them.
Wax Resist Flames: Draw the furnace scene and then use crayons to draw the flames. After this, use watercolor paints to paint the rest of the scene. The paints will resist the crayon flames.
Handprint Fiery Furnace: Follow these instructions from Faith-Filled Fun to create a Fiery Furnace Handprint Craft. Kids will use paint to create handprints that become the furnace's flames.
YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE FIERY FURNACE
Below are some suggestions for YouTube videos about the Fiery Furnace. Please preview any videos you intend to show to ensure they align with your teaching and are age-appropriate.
God’s Story: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by Crossroad Kids’ Club
Why Didn’t the Fire Burn Them?! (Story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) by Minno Bible Stories for Kids
WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT STORIES?
This lesson is part of a seven-week series on beloved Old Testament stories. This series covers 7 “big names” in the Old Testament and includes lessons on Gideon’s Army, God Calls Samuel, Ruth and Boaz, Ruth and Naomi, Samson, and Solomon Asks for Wisdom.
