Ages 6+·6 min read·Old Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated August 16, 2026
couragefaith under pressureobediencehope
The Writing on the Wall
Series: Exile and Faith (Episode 05 of 10) | Scripture: Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah | Ages 6+
The Writing on the Wall is a Bible story from Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah in the Old Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.
What Is the Story of The Writing on the Wall for Kids?
EXILE & FAITH — EPISODE 5: THE WRITING ON THE WALL Based on Daniel 5 | Narrated by Jesus
Alright — this story is intense. It's got a wild party, stolen sacred objects, a floating hand, mysterious writing, and a kingdom that falls in a single night. Ready?
Years have passed. Nebuchadnezzar is gone. His grandson Belshazzar is now king of Babylon. And Belshazzar? He hasn't learned a THING from his grandfather's story.
One night, Belshazzar throws an enormous party. A thousand of his nobles are there — drinking, feasting, celebrating. And then Belshazzar does something absolutely reckless. He orders his servants to bring out the gold and silver cups that were stolen from God's Temple in Jerusalem. The SACRED vessels — the ones set apart for worshiping the one true God.
This story comes from Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah and is part of the Old Testament.
What Does the Story of The Writing on the Wall Teach Children?
The story of The Writing on the Wall teaches children important lessons about courage, faith under pressure, obedience, hope:
This story teaches children about courage in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world
Key Bible Verse
"You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting." — Daniel 5:27
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
What reckless thing did King Belshazzar do at his party?
He drank from the sacred cups stolen from God's Temple in Jerusalem. Belshazzar ordered the sacred gold and silver vessels from God's Temple to be brought out, and he used them to drink wine and toast false gods.
What mysterious thing appeared during the party?
A human hand writing on the wall. A disembodied human hand appeared and wrote four words on the plaster wall of the palace, terrifying everyone.
What were the words written on the wall?
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. The hand wrote MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN — a divine message of judgment against King Belshazzar.
What did the word TEKEL mean?
You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. TEKEL meant that Belshazzar had been weighed and measured by God's standards and was found lacking. He had failed to honor God.
What is the main lesson of this episode?
There's a point where arrogance meets accountability — how you treat what's sacred matters. There is a point where arrogance meets accountability. How you treat what is sacred and what God has given you matters deeply. God sees everything.
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of The Writing on the Wall?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like The in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?
More Episodes in the Exile and Faith Series
This story is episode 05 of 10 in the Exile and Faith series:
Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 6+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.
What is the story of The Writing on the Wall about for kids?
The Writing on the Wall is a story from Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah. EXILE & FAITH — EPISODE 5: THE WRITING ON THE WALL Based on Daniel 5 | Narrated by Jesus
What age is the story of The Writing on the Wall appropriate for?
This retelling of The Writing on the Wall is designed for children Ages 6+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.
Where is The Writing on the Wall found in the Bible?
The Writing on the Wall is found in Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah in the Old Testament. It is part of the Exile and Faith series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of The Writing on the Wall for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of The Writing on the Wall designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use The Writing on the Wall for Sunday School or homeschool?
Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.
What does The Writing on the Wall teach kids?
The story of The Writing on the Wall teaches children about courage, faith under pressure, obedience, hope. This story teaches children about courage in a way they can understand.
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