In this lesson, children learn that God gives every person a special job to do in his house, and that every job matters. This lesson is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God gives each person a special job, and every job is important to him. When we do our part faithfully, we help the whole family serve God well.
Memory Verse
1 Chronicles 24:19
This was their ordering in their service, to come into the LORD’s house according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
(WEB)
Have children stand tall with their hands at their sides, then take one step forward as they say the verse together. Ask them to step back and say it again, this time stepping forward on the word “service” to help them remember that God gives each job a place.
The Story: 1 Chronicles 24 for Kids
Long ago, the family of Aaron was chosen to serve God as priests. Aaron had four sons named Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar were left to do the work of the priests.
King David wanted the priests to be organized so that everyone knew when to serve. There were so many men from the family of Eleazar and from the family of Ithamar that David needed a fair way to divide the work. He asked the priests to draw lots, which was like drawing names out of a jar, so that God would show them where each one belonged.
Twenty-four groups were chosen, and each group took a turn coming into the Lord’s house to serve. A man named Shemaiah, who was a scribe, wrote down the names so that everyone could see the order. The first group came out to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, and so on until the twenty-fourth group came out to Maaziah.
The chapter then shows that the Levites were also organized into families and given their own jobs in the house of God. Each person had a place, and each place was important. The men of the Levites drew lots too, just as their brothers did, so that everyone was treated fairly.
Read It Together
1 Chronicles 24:3
David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
(WEB)
Point out that David worked together with Zadok and Ahimelech to divide the priests into groups. Explain that God’s people do good work when they cooperate and help each other.
1 Chronicles 24:5
Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
(WEB)
Show children that the lots were drawn fairly, so no one was left out. Remind them that God cares about treating everyone with fairness and kindness.
Talk About It
- What kind of job do you think God wanted the priests to do?
- Why do you think David wanted everyone to know their turn to serve?
- How did the men decide who would serve at which time, and why was that fair?
- What is one job you have at home, and how can you do it well for God?
- How can you show that you value the people who help you in your family?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Schedule of Helpers
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple calendar with 24 small boxes, like the 24 groups in the story. Have them write a different job or name in each box, then color the boxes in a pattern. Talk about how each person has a turn and a place, just like the priests did.
Turn-Taking Lottery Game
You will need a small bag or bowl and slips of paper with the names of the children written on them. Mix the slips and draw one at a time to decide who goes first in a simple game, such as tossing a beanbag into a bucket. Explain that the drawing is like the lots in the story, and that God used it to show the people where each one belonged.
Job Jar for the Week
You will need a jar, index cards, and a marker. Write one helpful job on each card, such as setting the table, feeding a pet, or picking up toys. Let each child draw a card from the jar and do that job for the week. Remind them that God gives each of us work to do, and that doing it faithfully is a way of serving him.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is a God of order and fairness. The priestly divisions were not random, and the lots were used to show that each person’s service was assigned by God and valued by him. It also reminds us that worship involves many people working together in different roles.
Avoid overstating the mechanics of drawing lots to children as if it were a game of chance. Keep the focus on the idea that God guides the assignment of each person’s place and that every job, however small, matters to him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for giving each of us a special job to do. Help us to do our part faithfully, whether it is big or small. Show us how to work together and treat each other fairly, just as you do. Help us to serve you in everything we do. Amen.
