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Daniel and the Lions

Daniel keeps praying when it’s against the law, and God sends an angel to shut the lions’ mouths

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–7
  • Week 46
  • 📅 Sunday, November 15, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Like Daniel, I can pray to Heavenly Father every day and choose the right even when it’s hard, and He will help me.

I can pray every day and choose the right, even when it’s hard, like Daniel.

Study it yourself firstRead Daniel 1–7 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Daniel 1–7)
Know the chapters

Daniel was a young man from Jerusalem who was taken far away to Babylon, along with three friends who were given the names Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. In Daniel 1 they turned down the king’s rich food and wine and asked for simple vegetables and water instead. After ten days they looked healthier than everyone else, and God gave them knowledge and wisdom (1:15–17). Today Heavenly Father gives us the Word of Wisdom, His law of health, with promises much like those (Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–21).

In Daniel 3 the three friends refused to bow to a golden statue, even when the king threatened to throw them into a fiery furnace. God kept them safe in the fire, and they came out without even the smell of smoke. In Daniel 2 the king dreamed of a little stone “cut out without hands” that grew into a mountain filling the whole earth; latter-day prophets teach that it stands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, God’s kingdom, which will never be destroyed (2:44).

This lesson’s story is Daniel 6. Jealous leaders tricked King Darius into making a law that no one could pray to anyone but the king for thirty days. Daniel went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, knelt and prayed three times a day, just as he always had (6:10). He was put in the lions’ den, and the king, who loved Daniel, couldn’t sleep all night. In the morning Daniel called out that God had sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths (6:22). Skip the ending where the accusers are punished; it isn’t needed for this age.

For 4- to 7-year-olds, make the lions exciting, not scary: they roar, then curl up like sleepy kitties. Keep coming back to prayer: we can pray anytime, anywhere, and Heavenly Father always hears us. The 7-year-olds getting ready for baptism can connect Daniel’s brave choices to the promise they’ll make to keep the commandments, and to the Holy Ghost who will help them choose the right.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Daniel 6 so you can tell it in your own words. Open the Story Drama on your phone or tablet and let lots of kids be lions. Then play Lions’ Den Freeze Dance, learn the key verse with motions, and end kneeling for a class prayer. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing” and the pictures and snacks become sound clues and pretend lunches.

What to bring4 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Draw the three pictures: vegetables, fire and a lion. Lay them face down on a chair before class.
  2. Put the vegetable or fruit and the cup of water in a bag.
  3. Clear a corner of the room to be the lions’ den.
  4. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out roles with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • Lions roar only when you hold up your hand like a paw. Hand down means mouths shut. Practice once before the story.
  • Lots of kids will want to be lions. Let them! A den with six lions is more fun than a den with one.
  • If anyone looks worried about the lions, have the lions do a silly kitty “mew” and roll on their backs.
  • Kneeling like Daniel is a great calm-down move. When the room gets loud, say, “Daniel’s window!” and everyone kneels quietly.

The 25-minute plan25 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Three Brave Stories

3 min

Flipping three mystery pictures gives a sneak peek of Daniel and his friends and builds excitement for the lions.

  1. Point to the three face-down pictures. Say: “Daniel and his friends were brave three different times. Each picture is a clue!”
  2. Let a child flip the vegetables picture. Say: “Daniel and his friends chose healthy food instead of the king’s food, and Heavenly Father blessed them.”
  3. Let another child flip the fire picture. Say: “Daniel’s three friends wouldn’t bow to a gold statue, and God kept them safe in a fiery furnace!”
  4. Save the lion for last. Ask everyone to do a drumroll on their knees, then flip it. Say: “And Daniel… met some LIONS! Let’s find out what happened.”
🌪️ Only kids sitting criss-cross get to flip. Everyone else does the drumroll.

Class screen: 🃏 Flip a picture! What’s the clue? · 🥕 · 🔥 · 🦁

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 3 sheets of paper and a marker: draw a plate of vegetables on one, a campfire on another and a lion on the third (stick drawings are fine)

Three Sound Clues

  1. SAY“Daniel and his friends were brave three different times. I’ll give you a sound clue for each one!”
  2. Everyone pretends to crunch a carrot: “Crunch, crunch!” Say: “Daniel and his friends chose healthy food instead of the king’s food, and Heavenly Father blessed them.”
  3. Tap the fire sound on the Sound Board. Say: “Daniel’s three friends wouldn’t bow to a gold statue, and God kept them safe in a fiery furnace!”
  4. Everyone does a drumroll on their knees. Tap the roar sound. Say: “And Daniel… met some LIONS! Let’s find out what happened.”

Class screen: 🔊 Listen! What’s the clue? · 🥕 · 🔥 · 🦁

2. Story

Story Drama: Daniel in the Lions’ Den

7 min

Acting out Daniel 6 shows that Daniel kept praying when it was hard, and God protected him.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Give several kids the Lion role. A reader can be the king.
  2. Point to the lions’ den corner. Practice the rule: paw up = roar, paw down = mouths shut.
  3. Read each scene and pause for the action. Let a reader read each big caption.
  4. In scene 4, everyone kneels with Daniel. In scene 8, lead the cheer.
  5. Ask: “Why did Daniel keep praying?” (He loved Heavenly Father and knew God would help him.)
🌪️ Lions stay in the den on hands and knees. No pouncing on Daniel; the angel is watching!

Class screen: 🎭 Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part

3. Wiggle break

Lions’ Den Freeze Dance

2 min

Everyone gets to be a lion and burn off energy, then practice “shutting their mouths” just like the angel did.

  1. Tap Freeze Dance. When the music plays, everyone prowls and roars softly like a lion.
  2. When the music stops, freeze with your mouth shut tight and both hands over it!
  3. Anyone still roaring becomes a sleepy kitty for one round, then jumps back in.
  4. SAY“God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. God can protect us too.”
🌪️ Soft roars only. Lions prowl on their feet, not their knees, to save the carpet and the knees.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🦁 Prowl like a lion… then FREEZE! · Music on: roar 🦁 · Music off: mouth shut 🤐

4. Scripture

Lion Verse: Daniel 6:22

3 min

Kids memorize what Daniel said from the den, with lion motions.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. Ask a reader to read it out loud.
  2. Teach the motions one part at a time. Say it together three ways: big lion voice, sleepy kitty voice, happy king voice.
  3. SAY“God protected Daniel. God doesn’t always stop hard things from happening, but He is always with us and helps us, just like He helped Daniel.”
  4. Let one volunteer say it alone with motions while everyone roars and then closes their mouths.

Class screen: 😇 My God hath sent his angel! · Daniel 6:22

5. Object lesson

Daniel’s Veggie Test

3 min

Daniel 1 shows that Heavenly Father wants us to take care of our bodies, and He blesses us when we do.

  1. Pull out the vegetable and the cup of water. Say: “The king gave Daniel fancy food and drinks, but Daniel asked for vegetables and water instead.”
  2. SAY“They tried it for ten days. Guess what? Daniel and his friends looked healthier and stronger than everybody else! And God made them wise.”
  3. Everyone does a strong-muscles pose and a thinking-hard pose.
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father gave us the Word of Wisdom. It tells us to eat good foods and stay away from things that hurt our bodies. He promises to bless us when we obey it.”
  5. Ask: “What’s your favorite healthy food?” Let a few kids answer.
🌪️ The vegetable is for looking, not eating, unless you’ve checked with parents about allergies.

Class screen: 🥕 Veggies and water made Daniel strong! · Healthy 💪 · Wise 🧠

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A real vegetable or fruit (a carrot, an apple or a few snap peas) and a cup of water

Daniel’s Pretend Lunch

  1. Everyone holds out a pretend plate. Say: “The king gave Daniel fancy food and drinks, but Daniel asked for vegetables and water instead.”
  2. Call out healthy foods one at a time (carrots, apples, peas, water) and everyone takes a big pretend crunch or sip: “Mmm!”
  3. SAY“They tried it for ten days. Daniel and his friends looked healthier and stronger than everybody else! And God made them wise.” Everyone does a strong-muscles pose and a thinking-hard pose.
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father gave us the Word of Wisdom. It tells us to eat good foods and stay away from things that hurt our bodies. He promises to bless us when we obey it.”
  5. Ask: “What’s your favorite healthy food?” Let a few kids answer.
6. Game

Forehead Guess: Daniel Edition

3 min

A Heads Up–style game reviews all of Daniel’s brave stories with easy picture words.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One child holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. Classmates give clues or act it out without saying the word. The picture helps pre-readers.
  3. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass. About 30 seconds per guesser.
  4. Pair younger guessers with an older buddy.
🌪️ Raise a paw to give a clue. Roaring is a great clue, but only one roar per turn.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues. Don’t say the word!

7. Talk it over

Brave Like Daniel

2 min

Kids think about when it’s hard to choose the right and how prayer helps.

  1. Tap Name Spinner to pick who answers each question.
  2. Little ones can answer by acting it out.
  3. Share your own answer to one question.
💬 Ask the class
  • Where can you pray? (Name as many places as you can!)
  • What can you pray about?
  • When is it hard to choose the right?
  • How can Heavenly Father help you be brave?
🎡 Name Spinner (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🙏 I can be brave like Daniel!

8. Testimony

Daniel’s Window

2 min

End calm by kneeling like Daniel and feeling that Heavenly Father hears us.

  1. SAY“Daniel opened his windows and knelt to pray.” Everyone makes a window with their fingers, then kneels or folds arms.
  2. Say softly: “We can pray anytime and anywhere: at home, at school, in the car, even in our hearts. Heavenly Father always hears us.”
  3. SAY“When you are baptized, you promise to always remember Jesus. Praying every day helps you remember Him.”
  4. Share a short testimony about prayer. Invite a child to say the closing prayer while everyone stays kneeling.

Class screen: 🪟 Heavenly Father always hears me! · Anytime 🕐 · Anywhere 🌎

9. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A team quiz reviews Daniel’s stories if you have extra time.

  1. Split into two teams: Team Lions and Team Angels. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  2. Read each question and the choices out loud for the pre-readers.
  3. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer. Tap the team that got it right.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

Story drama

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Daniel 6 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • DanielKneels and prays three times, walks bravely into the den, then says, “My God hath sent his angel!”
  • King DariusSigns the law, can’t sleep all night, then runs to the den in the morning.
  • Jealous LeadersWhisper a sneaky plan, peek through the window, then run to tell the king.
  • LionsRoar and prowl in the den, then close their mouths and curl up like sleepy kitties.
  • The AngelSent by God. Stands by Daniel and gently shows the lions to close their mouths.
  • GuardsRoll the pretend stone over the den: “Rrrumble… thud!”

Scenes

  1. 👑🧔 The king’s best helper

    Daniel worked for King Darius. Daniel was good and wise, and he loved Heavenly Father. The king liked Daniel so much that he wanted to put him in charge of the whole kingdom!

    🎬 The king pats Daniel on the back: “Good job, Daniel!” Daniel bows politely.

  2. 😠🗣️ The jealous leaders make a sneaky plan

    Some other leaders were jealous. They looked and looked for something bad about Daniel, but they couldn’t find anything! Then they had a sneaky idea: “Daniel always prays to his God. Let’s make that against the law!”

    🎬 The leaders huddle and whisper: “Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.” Everyone else tiptoes in place.

  3. ✍️📜 The king signs a new law

    They told the king, “Make a law that for thirty days, nobody can pray to anyone but you. Anyone who does goes into the lions’ den!” The king signed it. Once he signed it, it could not be changed.

    🎬 The king signs in the air with a fancy swirl. Everyone gasps: “Uh-oh!”

  4. 🪟🙏 Daniel prays anyway

    Daniel knew about the new law. But he went home, opened his windows, knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father, just like always. He prayed three times a day, and he said thank you too!

    🎬 Everyone kneels or folds arms with Daniel. Count together: “One, two, three times a day!”

  5. 👀🦁 Into the lions’ den!

    The jealous leaders peeked in and saw Daniel praying. They ran to tell the king. The king was very sad, because he loved Daniel. But the law couldn’t be changed. Daniel was put into the den of lions, and the king told Daniel that his God would save him.

    🎬 The leaders peek and point. Daniel walks bravely into the den. The lions roar when the teacher holds up a paw!

  6. 🪨🌙 A stone over the door

    The guards rolled a big stone over the door of the den. The king went back to his palace. He didn’t eat. He didn’t want any music. He couldn’t sleep all night long!

    🎬 The guards roll the stone: “Rrrumble… thud!” The king tosses and turns: “I can’t sleep!”

  7. 🌅🏃 The king runs to the den

    Very early in the morning, the king ran to the den as fast as he could. He called out, “Daniel! Was your God able to save you from the lions?”

    🎬 The king runs in place. Everyone holds their breath and listens…

  8. 😇🦁 “My God hath sent his angel!”

    Daniel called back, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths!” The lions didn’t hurt him one bit. Not even a scratch!

    🎬 The angel stands by Daniel. The lions close their mouths and curl up like sleepy kitties. Everyone cheers!

  9. 👑🙌 The king tells the whole kingdom

    The king was SO happy! He pulled Daniel out of the den, and he sent a message to everyone in the kingdom: Daniel’s God is the living God who saves His people!

    🎬 The king throws his arms up and shouts, “Daniel’s God saves!” Daniel and the angel wave.

Key verse

Daniel 6:22 ↗
“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths”
In kid words: Daniel said, “God sent His angel to keep the lions’ mouths shut!”
🙌 “My God” = point up · “hath sent his angel” = flap your arms softly like wings · “and hath shut” = clap your hands together once · “the lions’ mouths” = make a big roaring lion mouth with your hands, then close it tight.

More verses

Daniel 6:10 ↗
“he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God”
In kid words: Daniel knelt and prayed three times every day, and he said thank you to God.
Daniel 1:8 ↗
“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”
In kid words: Daniel decided in his heart that he would keep God’s rules.
Daniel 3:17 ↗
“our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace”
In kid words: Daniel’s three friends said, “Our God can save us from the fire!”

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 🧔 Daniel
  • 🦁 Lion
  • 👑 King
  • 😇 Angel
  • 🙏 Pray
  • 🪟 Window
  • 🧎 Kneel
  • 🪨 Rock
  • 🌙 Moon
  • 😴 Sleep
  • 🥕 Carrot
  • 💧 Water
  • 🔥 Fire
  • 💪 Muscles
  • 🐈 Cat
  • 🦸 Brave
Clues for each word
  • Daniel: He prayed and was safe with the lions
  • Lion: Roar! A big cat with a mane
  • King: He wears a crown
  • Angel: God sent one to help Daniel
  • Pray: Talking to Heavenly Father
  • Window: Daniel opened it to pray
  • Kneel: Get down on your knees
  • Rock: Big and heavy, it covered the den
  • Moon: You see it at night
  • Sleep: The king couldn’t do this all night
  • Carrot: An orange vegetable. Crunch!
  • Water: Daniel drank this instead of the king’s drinks
  • Fire: Hot! Daniel’s friends were safe in it
  • Muscles: Show how strong you are
  • Cat: Meow! A small pet
  • Brave: Doing right even when it’s hard
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. What did Daniel keep doing even when it was against the law?
    • A. Playing ball ⚽
    • B. Sleeping 😴
    • C. Praying 🙏
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Praying 🙏 He knelt and prayed three times a day, just like always.

  2. Where was Daniel put because he prayed?
    • A. A lions’ den 🦁
    • B. A swimming pool 🏊
    • C. A toy store 🧸
    Show answer

    ✅ A. A lions’ den 🦁 The jealous leaders tricked the king, but God was with Daniel.

  3. How did the king feel all night?
    • A. Sleepy and happy 😊
    • B. Worried and awake 😟
    • C. Hungry for pizza 🍕
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Worried and awake 😟 He loved Daniel. He couldn’t eat or sleep at all.

  4. Who did God send to shut the lions’ mouths?
    • A. A dog 🐕
    • B. The king 👑
    • C. An angel 😇
    Show answer

    ✅ C. An angel 😇 “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths.”

  5. What did Daniel and his friends eat instead of the king’s food?
    • A. Vegetables 🥕
    • B. Candy 🍬
    • C. Nothing at all 🚫
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Vegetables 🥕 Vegetables and water, and they grew healthier than everyone!

  6. How many times a day did Daniel pray?
    • A. One time ☝️
    • B. Three times 🙏
    • C. Never 🚫
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Three times 🙏 Three times a day, and he gave thanks too (Daniel 6:10).

  7. Where did God keep Daniel’s three friends safe?
    • A. In a snowstorm ❄️
    • B. In a fiery furnace 🔥
    • C. In a tree 🌳
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In a fiery furnace 🔥 They came out without even smelling like smoke!

  8. When can you pray to Heavenly Father?
    • A. Anytime, anywhere 🌎
    • B. Only at church ⛪
    • C. Only on Sunday 📅
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Anytime, anywhere 🌎 Heavenly Father always hears you, wherever you are.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • A Child’s Prayer Children’s Songbook, p. 12

    Daniel knew Heavenly Father was there and listening. So can we. Find it ↗

  • Choose the Right Hymns, no. 239

    Daniel chose the right even when it was hard. Find it ↗

  • The Word of Wisdom Children’s Songbook, p. 154

    Goes with Daniel’s Veggie Test and the law of health. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Three Times a Day

Like Daniel, say a prayer three times a day this week: in the morning, at a meal and at bedtime. Say thank you for one thing each time.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we acted out Daniel in the lions’ den. Daniel kept praying when it was against the law, and God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths (Daniel 6:22). We also learned how Daniel chose healthy food and was blessed. Ask your child: how many times a day did Daniel pray, and where can you pray?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🔥 Three Friends in the Fire · 4 min

  1. Tell Daniel 3 in your own words: three friends would not bow to a golden statue, so the king threw them into a fiery furnace.
  2. Three kids stand in a pretend furnace while everyone wiggles fingers like flames. Turn on a flashlight and shine it near them: the king saw a fourth person in the fire with them, and God kept them safe.
  3. The friends walk out and everyone sniffs: “No smoke smell at all!”

🪨 The Little Stone That Grew · 3 min

  1. Hold up a small rock. Say: “The king dreamed about a little stone that rolled and grew into a mountain that filled the whole earth!”
  2. Everyone starts curled up small as a stone, then slowly grows into a giant mountain with arms high.
  3. SAY“The stone is like Jesus Christ’s Church. It started small and is growing all over the world.”

🎭 Pray Anywhere Charades · 3 min

  1. Whisper a place to a child: in bed, at the dinner table, on the playground, in the car, at the doctor.
  2. They act out being there, then fold their arms. The class guesses the place.
  3. After each one, say: “Can Heavenly Father hear you there?” (Yes!)

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–7 lessons