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    The Handwriting on the Wall: Sunday School Lesson

    Daniel 5

    Ages 9–12 ~40 min Memory: Daniel 5:27

    Print this page straight from your browser — the story, memory verse, discussion questions and craft all fit on one sheet.

    Big Idea

    God keeps accounts, and no one is too powerful to be weighed.

    Story Summary

    Belshazzar threw a great feast and drank from the holy vessels taken out of God's house. In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand wrote on the plaster of the wall. Daniel read it: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN — numbered, weighed, divided. That very night the king was slain.

    Read the full retelling →

    Memory Verse (KJV)

    “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”

    Daniel 5:27

    Discussion Questions

    1. What did Belshazzar do with the vessels from God's house?
    2. Why could nobody else read the writing?
    3. What did Daniel say the king had failed to learn?

      Teacher hint: He had not humbled his heart, though he knew what happened to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 5:22).

    4. What would God's balance say about how you use what He has given you?

    Craft Idea: Invisible Writing Wall

    Supplies

    • White paper
    • White crayon or candle
    • Watery paint
    • Brushes

    Steps

    1. Write MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN with a white crayon.
    2. Brush watery paint over the page to reveal the words.
    3. Write Daniel 5:27 underneath.
    4. Discuss what it means to be 'found wanting'.

    Printable Worksheet

    Print the lesson page for the verse card and discussion questions.

    This Sunday's lesson

    Lesson flow (45 minutes)

    1. Welcome (5 min): Pray, then read the memory verse aloud three times together.
    2. Story (10 min): Tell the story summary in your own words; open a KJV to Daniel 5.
    3. Discussion (10 min): Walk through the questions above. Let every child answer at least once.
    4. Craft (15 min): Make the invisible writing wall.
    5. Wrap-up (5 min): Hand out the worksheet to finish at home and recite the memory verse one last time.

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    Where to go next

    Teaching The Handwriting on the Wall? Here is what to grab next for your class.