In this lesson, children learn that God set apart Aaron and his sons to serve Him as priests, and that He makes His people holy. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is holy, and He makes His people holy so they can serve Him. He does the work of making us ready, and we can trust Him to do it.
Memory Verse
Exodus 29:43
There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by my glory.
(WEB)
Have children stand tall with their hands on their hearts for “I will meet with you,” then open their arms wide for “the place shall be sanctified by my glory.” Repeat the motions three times together until the verse feels familiar.
The Story: Exodus 29 for Kids
Long ago, God gave Moses instructions for setting apart Aaron and his sons as priests. These men would serve God in the special tent where God met with His people. Before they could serve, they had to be made clean and ready for God’s work.
First, Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water at the door of the tent. Then he dressed Aaron in beautiful, holy clothes and placed a special crown on his head. Moses also poured anointing oil on Aaron’s head, which showed that God had chosen him for this important job.
Next, a young bull was brought forward. Aaron and his sons pressed their hands on its head, which showed that the offering was given in their place. The bull was then offered to God, and its blood was put on the horns of the altar. Two rams were also offered, and each one showed God’s care and the people’s thankfulness.
God told Moses that He would be with His people. God said, “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” These words reminded everyone that God Himself wanted to live close to His people. He was not far away from them.
Every day, a lamb was offered in the morning and another in the evening. This was a reminder that the people needed God’s help all day long. God promised to meet with them there, and to make the tent and the altar holy by His presence.
Read It Together
Exodus 29:4-6
4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 5 You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clothe him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod; 6 and you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.
(WEB)
Point out how Aaron was washed and dressed in special clothes before he could serve. Explain that God wants His helpers to be prepared, and that the clothes showed that serving God is a special honor.
Exodus 29:20-21
20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood around on the altar. 21 You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
(WEB)
Show children how the blood and oil were placed on the ear, thumb, and toe of Aaron and his sons. Explain that these places showed that God wanted the priests to listen to Him, to do His work, and to walk in His ways.
Exodus 29:45-46
45 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46 They shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
(WEB)
Read these verses slowly and point out the words “I will dwell among” and “I am the LORD their God.” Help children see that God’s greatest promise in this chapter is that He wants to be near His people.
Talk About It
- Why do you think Aaron had to be washed before he could serve God?
- What did the special clothes and crown tell people about Aaron’s job?
- How does it feel to know that God wants to live close to His people?
- What are some ways we can get ready to serve God every day?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to remember Him every morning and evening?
Activity Ideas
Paper Priest Craft
Give each child a paper cutout of a person, some crayons, and a small piece of gold or yellow paper for a crown. Let them color clothes and glue on the crown. As they work, talk about how God gave Aaron special clothes to show his important job, and ask what special job God has for them.
Wash and Ready Game
Set up two small bowls of water and a towel at one end of the room. Have children take turns walking from the start line, washing their hands at the bowl, drying them, and then doing a simple movement like raising their arms high. Explain that the water helped the priests get ready to serve God, just as we get ready for our day.
Morning and Evening Prayer Card
Cut two index cards and write “Morning” on one and “Evening” on the other. Help children draw a sun on the morning card and a moon on the evening card. Encourage them to take the cards home and use them each day to remember to talk to God when they wake up and before they go to sleep.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that holiness is God’s work in His people, not something we earn on our own. The priests were set apart by God’s command, washed, anointed, and given sacrifices that pointed toward the need for a full and complete cleansing. The closing promise that God will dwell among His people shows the heart of the whole chapter.
Avoid suggesting that children must be perfect before God will love them or work in their lives. Instead, emphasize that God makes His people holy and invites them to live close to Him, even though they are still learning and growing.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for making us holy and for wanting to live close to us. Help us to get ready for each day and serve You with joy. Thank You that You are always with us, morning and evening. Amen.
