This lesson teaches children that God made a way for people to be forgiven when they do wrong, and that He cares about making things right. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions, and a short activity.
Big Idea
When we do something wrong and are truly sorry, God is ready to forgive us. He gave His people a way to say sorry and make things right with Him.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 4:20
Thus shall he do with the bull; as he did with the bull of the sin offering, so shall he do with this; and the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven.
(WEB)
Hold both hands on your chest, then open them outward like a gift being given. Say the words slowly with the motion, so children connect “forgiven” with a gift from God.
The Story: Leviticus 4 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to Moses, the leader of the people of Israel. God wanted His people to know what to do when they made a mistake. Sometimes a person did something wrong without meaning to, and God knew their hearts were sorry.
God told Moses to explain a special way to say sorry. A person would bring a young animal, like a bull, a goat, or a lamb, to the Tent of Meeting. The animal had to be healthy and without any flaws. The person would place a hand on the animal’s head, and that showed the sin was being given over to God.
Then the priest, who served God in the tent, did an important job. He took some of the blood and put it on the special altar. This was a sign that the sin was being dealt with and that the person could be made right again. The priest said that the person would be forgiven, and that was good news.
God also explained that this was true for the whole community, and for leaders too. Everyone needed God’s forgiveness. Each time, the priest helped the people remember that God was ready to forgive when they came to Him with a sorry heart.
Here is a simple line you can say to the children: “God says, I will forgive you when you come to me.” These words helped the people trust that God was kind and wanted them close to Him.
The people of Israel learned that sin was serious, but God’s mercy was greater. They could come back to Him again and again, knowing He was faithful to forgive.
Read It Together
Leviticus 4:3
If the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin, which he has sinned, a young bull without defect to the LORD for a sin offering.
(WEB)
Point out that even the priest needed to bring an offering when he did wrong. Explain that everyone, no matter how important, needs God’s forgiveness.
Leviticus 4:13-14
13 “‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and are guilty; 14 when the sin in which they have sinned is known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for a sin offering, and bring it before the Tent of Meeting.
(WEB)
Show children that sin could happen even when people did not know about it. Tell them that God still cared, and He made a way for the whole community to be made right.
Leviticus 4:31
All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to the LORD; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.
(WEB)
Point out the words “he will be forgiven.” Help the children see that the good ending of this chapter is forgiveness, which is the main thing God wants to give His people.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God wanted His people to say sorry in a special way?
- What does it feel like when you do something wrong without meaning to?
- How did the people show that they wanted to be forgiven?
- Why was it important for the priest to be the one who helped the people?
- What is one way you can tell God you are sorry this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Altar Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a glue stick. Ask them to draw a simple altar with a small red dot to show the blood. Let them decorate the rest of the page with bright colors. Explain that the altar reminded the people that God was ready to forgive them.
Forgiveness Freeze Game
Play a movement game with the children. When you call out “sorry,” everyone steps forward and bends low to show humility. When you call out “forgiven,” everyone stands tall with arms raised. Repeat several times, mixing up the words, so children practice both sorrow and joy.
Take-Home Forgiveness Stone
Give each child a smooth stone or a small piece of cardboard. Have them draw a cross or a heart on one side and write “God forgives” on the other. Encourage them to keep it in a pocket or on a nightstand as a reminder that God is always ready to forgive.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that sin matters and that God provided a way for people to be made right with Him. The sacrifices pointed forward to a greater provision for sin, which Christians understand through Jesus. Reading this chapter helps us see how serious sin is and how generous God’s forgiveness is.
With children, avoid overstating the details of the animal sacrifices or implying that the offerings themselves earned forgiveness. Keep the focus on God’s mercy and His willingness to forgive when people come to Him with a sorry heart.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You for always being ready to forgive us. We are sorry for the wrong things we do, even when we do not mean to. Help us come to You with honest hearts and trust that You will make things right. Thank You for loving us so much. Amen.
