This lesson teaches children that Jesus gave himself once and for all so that we can be clean on the inside and come close to God. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is our perfect helper who made a way for us to be forgiven and to draw near to God forever.
Memory Verse
Hebrews 9:14
How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
(WEB)
Cup both hands together in front of your chest, then slowly open them like a flower blooming. Say the words of the verse while you open your hands, so children connect the motion with a heart made clean by Jesus.
The Story: Hebrews 9 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people had a special tent called the tabernacle. It was a holy place where God met with his people. Inside were a golden lampstand, a table with bread on it, and a golden altar for sweet-smelling smoke. Behind a thick curtain was the most holy room, where God’s presence was.
Only one man was allowed behind that curtain, and only once a year. He was the high priest. Before he went in, he had to bring blood from an animal to pay for the wrongs of the people. The blood showed that sin is serious and that a price had to be paid. Those sacrifices had to be done again and again, because the people kept sinning.
Then Jesus came. He is the High Priest who is better than any other. He did not enter a tent made by human hands. He entered heaven itself. He did not bring the blood of goats or calves. He gave his own blood, and he did it once for all. The writer of this letter says that Jesus gave himself without any sin at all.
Because Jesus paid the price, we can say, “Thank you, Jesus, you have made me clean.” The writer explains that his blood can clean our consciences, so we no longer need to carry the weight of what we have done wrong. We can now serve the living God with joy.
Think about a time you were sorry for doing something wrong and someone helped you feel clean again. Jesus does that for us in an even bigger way. He does not have to be sacrificed again, because his one sacrifice was enough. The story ends with a promise that Jesus will come back, and those who wait for him will be saved.
Read It Together
Hebrews 9:11-12
11 But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus entered the holy place through his own blood, not the blood of animals. Ask children to notice the word “once for all,” and explain that Jesus does not need to repeat his sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:27-28
27 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus is coming again, and that those who are waiting for him can be filled with hope. Explain that these verses are good news because Jesus has already dealt with our sin.
Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
(WEB)
Explain in simple words that in the old way, blood was needed to show God’s forgiveness. Point out how much God cares about making things right, and how Jesus fulfills that need perfectly.
Talk About It
- What did the high priest have to do before he could go behind the curtain?
- Why do you think the people needed to offer sacrifices again and again?
- What is the difference between the blood of animals and the blood of Jesus?
- How do you think it feels to have a clean heart that God has made?
- What can you do this week to thank Jesus for being our perfect helper?
Activity Ideas
Paper Tabernacle Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a tent with a curtain in the middle. On one side of the curtain, have them draw a lampstand and a table. On the other side, have them draw a bright light to show God’s presence. Talk about how Jesus opened the way for us to come close.
Priest Walk Game
You will need a sheet or blanket to make a curtain and a few small objects to act as the sacrifice. Have children take turns walking carefully behind the curtain, then coming out to say, “Jesus is our perfect priest.” Each time, remind them that Jesus did not need to walk in and out again and again, because he did it once for all.
Clean Heart Card
You will need a small piece of white paper and a crayon or marker. Ask each child to write or draw a heart on the paper, then add a simple word like “clean” or “forgiven” inside. Children can take it home and place it somewhere they will see during the week, as a reminder of what Jesus has done for them.
Teacher Notes
Hebrews 9 shows that the old system of sacrifices pointed forward to Jesus. His death was not repeated like the sacrifices in the tabernacle, because it fully paid for sin. For adults, this chapter is a call to rest in the completed work of Christ and to serve God with a conscience that has been cleansed.
With children, avoid overstating the detailed symbolism of the tabernacle furniture, since the chapter itself says the writer cannot speak about every detail now. Keep the focus on the main truth that Jesus gave himself once for all and that his sacrifice cleanses us.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are our perfect helper. Thank you for giving yourself so we could be clean and forgiven. Help us to remember that we can come close to God because of you. Help us to serve you with joy every day. Amen.
