This lesson teaches children that God gave the blood of an animal a special place, because life belongs to Him and He is the one who makes things right with His people. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with time for a story, a memory verse, and a short activity.
Big Idea
God made life, and life belongs to Him. He gave His people a special way to come to Him, and He cares about how we honor the life He gives.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.
(WEB)
Place both hands over your heart, then lift them up toward the sky as you say the verse together. Do this three times so the children can feel the rhythm of the words and connect them with the gesture.
The Story: Leviticus 17 for Kids
God spoke to Moses one day in the wilderness, and He wanted Moses to tell the whole family of Israel something important. Moses gathered Aaron, Aaron’s sons, and all the people. God had a rule for them to hear.
In those days, the people offered animals to God as gifts. God said that every animal meant for an offering had to be brought to the Tent of Meeting, the special place where God met with His people. The priest would then offer it to God the right way. Bringing it there was how the people showed they belonged to God and trusted Him.
God also told them that the blood of an animal was very special. He said, “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” The people were not allowed to eat blood. Blood was given to God on the altar, because it stood for life, and God is the Giver of life.
When someone hunted an animal for food, God said they should pour out its blood and cover it with dust. This was a way of showing respect that life belongs to God and not to us. The same rule applied to those who lived among the Israelites as well.
Some people ate something that had died on its own or had been torn apart by animals. God said they must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and wait until evening to be clean again. If they did not wash, they would still be carrying the wrong they had done. God wanted His people to take life and holiness seriously.
Read It Together
Leviticus 17:4
And hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to offer it as an offering to the LORD before the LORD’s tabernacle: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people.
(WEB)
Point out that God wanted the offerings brought to the Tent of Meeting, the place where He met His people. Ask the children why they think God wanted His people to come to Him in a special place.
Leviticus 17:5-6
5 This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD. 6 The priest shall sprinkle the blood on the LORD’s altar at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and burn the fat for a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
(WEB)
Show the children how the priest brought the offerings to God on the altar. Explain that the people were giving back to God something that showed their trust in Him.
Leviticus 17:14
For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life: therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”
(WEB)
Help the children see that God said life is in the blood. Explain that this is why God treated blood with such care and why the people were to honor the life that God gave.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God wanted His people to bring their offerings to one special place?
- What does it tell you that God said life is in the blood?
- How can we show that we know life is a gift from God?
- What did the people do to show they wanted to be clean again?
- How does it feel to know that God always wants to be close to His people?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Tent of Meeting
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a simple tent with a door and a small altar in front of it. Let them add a drawing of a happy family walking toward the tent together. Talk about how God invited His people to come to Him.
Follow the Leader to the Altar
Set up a short path with chairs or tape across the room to represent the walk to the Tent of Meeting. Have the children follow a leader one at a time along the path, pretending to carry a gift. When they reach the end, have them stop and say, “God, You are the Giver of life.” Repeat a few times so the children enjoy the movement and remember the idea.
Life Belongs to God Card
Give each child an index card or a piece of cardstock, a marker, and a small stick-on heart or sticker. Ask them to write “Life is God’s” on one side and draw a heart on the other. Encourage them to take the card home and place it where they will see it, such as on a bedroom door or by the breakfast table, as a reminder to thank God for the life He gives.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes life seriously and that He has always provided a way for His people to come near to Him. The sacrificial system pointed forward to the greater sacrifice of Jesus, who gave His own life so that we could be made right with God. Leviticus 17 also shows that God cares about how His people respect the life He created.
Avoid overstating the details of animal sacrifice to children, since the practices are unfamiliar and can feel strange or frightening. Keep the focus on God’s care for life, His invitation to come near, and the joy of belonging to Him. Let the children ask questions and answer them simply, without going into more detail than they need.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we thank You that You are the Giver of life. Help us to remember that everything we have comes from You. Thank You for inviting us to come close to You and for caring about us. Help us to honor You with our lives every day. Amen.
