This lesson teaches children that God wants the best of what we give him and that he is holy, set apart and good. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, which gives your class room to read, talk and do one activity together.
Big Idea
God is holy, so when we give him something, we give him our very best and we honor his name in how we live.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 22:31
“Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am the LORD.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and put both hands on their hearts for the first half of the verse, then lift both arms up high for the second half. Say the verse together slowly three times, moving with each phrase so the motions help them remember the words.
The Story: Leviticus 22 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to Moses and gave him a message for Aaron, the priest, and Aaron’s sons. God’s people brought gifts to him, and those gifts were special because they belonged to God. God told the priests to treat these gifts with great care. They were not to use the holy things in a careless way, because God’s name was holy and they must not make it look small.
God also gave a rule about who could eat the holy food. Only the priests and their families could eat it, and only when they were clean. If a priest was sick or had touched something that made him unclean, he had to wait and wash himself before he could eat. God wanted his people to show respect for what was his.
Then God spoke about the animals people brought as gifts. God said, “Bring the very best. Do not bring an animal that is blind, hurt or sick, because that is not a good gift for me.” Imagine bringing your best toy to a friend’s birthday party instead of a broken one. God wanted his people to think carefully about what they gave him.
God also told his people to wait until a young animal was eight days old before offering it, and never to offer a mother and her baby on the same day. He cared about kindness and about the way his people lived. He reminded them that he was the Lord who made them holy and who had brought them out of Egypt to be their God.
At the end of the chapter, God told his people to keep his commands and do them. He wanted them to be a people who belonged to him in everything, not just in the places where they worshiped. God had already rescued them, and now he asked them to live in a way that showed they were his.
Read It Together
Leviticus 22:19-20
19 That you may be accepted, you shall offer a male without defect, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats. 20 But whatever has a defect, that you shall not offer; for it shall not be acceptable for you.
(WEB)
Point out that God asked his people to bring a gift without any defect, meaning something whole and good. Ask the children what it would look like to give God their best effort in school, at home or in their kindness to others.
Leviticus 22:31-33
31 “Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am the LORD. 32 You shall not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am the LORD who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am the LORD.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God says “I am the LORD” several times in this part of the chapter, to remind his people who he is. Explain that God makes his people holy and reminds them that he rescued them from Egypt, so their obedience is a response to his kindness.
Leviticus 22:2
“Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am the LORD.
(WEB)
Read this verse slowly and point out that God’s holy name matters. Explain that when we speak about God or live as his people, we want to honor his name and not dishonor it by how we act.
Talk About It
- What is something special that you like to give to someone you love, and why do you choose it?
- Why do you think God wanted his people to bring their very best gifts to him?
- What does it mean to you that God is holy and set apart from everything else?
- How can you show respect for God’s name when you pray, sing or talk about him?
- What is one thing you can do this week to give God your best effort?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Best Gift
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw one gift they would give to God, such as a song, a kind deed or a drawing of something they love. Let them color it carefully and write one word on it that describes God, like holy, good or faithful. Display the drawings on a wall as a reminder of the gifts they can offer.
Clean and Holy Relay
You will need two bowls of water, a few cups, and a small towel for each team. Divide the children into two teams and have them race to carry a cup of water from one bowl to a second bowl without spilling, then wipe their hands with a towel. Talk about how the priests washed before they could handle the holy things, and how God wants us to come to him with clean hearts.
Take-Home Gift Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small envelope for each child. Have each child write or draw one way they will give God their best this week, then place the card in the envelope. Encourage them to bring it home and put it on the kitchen table or by their bed, and to talk with a parent about it each evening during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s holiness shapes every part of worship and daily life. The priests had special responsibilities, and God’s people were called to honor what belonged to him. Christians today understand that Jesus is the perfect gift, and we respond by offering our lives to God with gratitude, sincerity and respect for his name.
Avoid overstating the rules about blemished animals, unclean people, or the ceremonial details of sacrifice, since these belonged to the ancient worship system. Instead, focus children on the heart behind the commands: God is holy, he cares about how we honor him, and he is the one who makes us holy.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, you are holy and good, and you deserve our very best. Help us to honor your name in everything we do and say. Make our hearts clean and ready to serve you, and help us remember that you rescued us and made us your own. We love you and want to live for you. Amen.
