In this lesson, children learn that God gives every person a special job to do in his house, and every job matters. This lesson is for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God has a place for everyone to serve him, and he cares about every job, big or small. Each helper matters to the Lord.
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 the children stand tall, then take one step forward with each word of the verse as you say it together. Stepping forward helps them remember that each family had its own place to go and serve in God’s house.
The Story: 1 Chronicles 24 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people had a special house where they worshiped him. It was called the Lord’s house. God chose a family of helpers called priests to serve there, and these priests came from Aaron, the brother of Moses. Aaron had four sons, but two of them, Nadab and Abihu, died before their father did and had no children.
That left two families to carry on the work: the family of Eleazar and the family of Ithamar. King David wanted the priests to be organized so every family knew when to serve. He asked Zadok and Ahimelech to help him divide them into groups. There were sixteen family groups from Eleazar and eight from Ithamar.
Then something fun happened. The men wrote each group’s name on a lot, which was like a small stick or stone, and they dropped them to see which group would serve first. Shemaiah, a scribe who wrote things down, carefully recorded every name while the king and the leaders watched. It was fair, because God was guiding every choice.
The first lot came out to Jehoiarib, and the second to Jedaiah. Then came the third, the fourth, and so on, until all twenty-four groups had a turn. Each group had its own week to come into God’s house and help. One of the leaders said, “Let each family serve when its turn comes, and let everyone do their part.”
So every family in the priests’ work knew their place. The helpers were organized, fair, and ready to serve God together.
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 with leaders who knew the priests well. Ask the children what it means to have helpers who care about doing things the right way for God.
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 the children that the choosing was done fairly, and that God was in charge of the process. Explain that everyone had an equal chance, because God cares about fairness.
1 Chronicles 24:31
These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers’ households of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
(WEB)
Tell the children that the whole family, from the oldest to the youngest, took part in the lots and served together. Remind them that every person in God’s family has a place to belong.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God wanted his helpers to have their own special times to serve?
- What is one job you do at home, and how can you do it well for God?
- How did it help the priests to know exactly when their turn would come?
- What do you think it felt like to wait your turn while others served first?
- What is a way you can be a helper in your church or family this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Helper Chart
You will need paper, crayons, and a ruler. Ask each child to draw a simple chart with twenty-four boxes, or a smaller number like eight if your group is small. Have them write a helper’s name or draw a small picture in each box, then color it in. Talk about how every box is important, just like every helper.
Take Your Turn Game
You will need a small bell or a clapper and a few chairs in a circle. Let each child take a turn walking to the center to say one thing they can do to help, like setting the table or feeding a pet. When the bell rings, the next child takes a turn. Play until everyone has had a chance, and praise each helper for taking their turn.
Helper Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a marker. Have each child write one way they will help at home this week on a card, and decorate it with stickers or drawings. Encourage them to bring it back next week to share. Pray over the cards together as a reminder that God gives every person a place to serve.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is a God of order and care. The priests were divided into twenty-four groups so that the work of worship was shared, fair, and carried on faithfully across generations. It reminds us that God values organized, dedicated service, and that no one’s role is unimportant in the life of his people.
Be careful not to overstate the lot system to children as a way of finding God’s will for their personal choices. In this passage, the lots were used to divide duties among the priests in a specific setting, and it is best to focus on fairness, order, and faithful service rather than suggesting that children should cast lots to make decisions.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for giving each of us a place to serve you. Help us to do our jobs well, both at church and at home, and help us to be fair and kind to others. Remind us that every helper matters to you. Amen.
