This lesson teaches children that when we do wrong, even by accident or without noticing, we can be honest about it, say sorry, and make things right with God. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a short story, a few verses, and some hands-on activities.
Big Idea
God wants us to be honest when we mess up, even when we didn’t mean to. When we own our mistakes and make them right, God forgives us and loves us.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 5:5
It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned…
(WEB)
Put both hands on your chest and say “I confess” together. Then open your hands wide in front of you, as if you are letting go of something heavy. Practice it a few times so the motion helps the words stick.
The Story: Leviticus 5 for Kids
Long ago, God gave His people a set of rules for how to live close to Him. They had a special tent called the tabernacle, and a family of priests who helped the people worship God there. The priests offered animals and grain as gifts to show that people were sorry for their sins and wanted to be forgiven.
God explained that sometimes people do wrong without even knowing it. Maybe someone touched something unclean and didn’t realize it. Maybe someone made a promise quickly and then found out they couldn’t keep it. Maybe someone heard a call for help and stayed quiet because they didn’t want to get involved. Even then, God said, the person had done wrong and needed to own up to it.
So God told them what to do. The person was to admit what they had done, then bring a gift to the priest. If a family could afford a lamb or a goat, they brought that. If they were poor, they could bring two birds. And if they were very poor, they could bring a small amount of flour. Whatever they brought, the priest would pray over them, and God promised to forgive them.
God said to Moses, “If anyone sins without meaning to, he is still guilty, and he must bring his offering.” The message was clear: God cares about honesty, and He wants His people to come back to Him with humble hearts.
Every gift was a picture of something bigger. Each animal showed how serious sin is and how much it costs to make things right. It also pointed ahead to a day when God would send a Savior who would take away sin for good.
Read It Together
Leviticus 5:6
And he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin.
(WEB)
Point out that the person had to bring the offering to the Lord, not just to the priest or to a friend. Explain that saying sorry is always first a conversation with God. Ask children who they usually go to when they feel bad about something.
Leviticus 5:7
“‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
(WEB)
Show children that God made a way for everyone to be forgiven, rich or poor. The birds were a gift for families who could not afford a lamb. Help them see that God does not ask for more than we can give.
Leviticus 5:17
“If anyone sins, and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done; though he didn’t know it, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
(WEB)
Point out the words “though he didn’t know it, yet he is guilty.” Explain that God takes sin seriously even when it was an accident. This is a good moment to talk about how we can ask God to show us the wrong things we do without noticing.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you might do wrong without meaning to, and how could you make it right?
- Why do you think God wanted people to say what they did wrong out loud?
- How did the people who were poor still get to bring something to God?
- When someone tells you they are sorry, how can you show them kindness?
- How do you feel when you know you have been forgiven?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Sorry Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw something they might do by accident, such as spilling juice or breaking a toy. Then have them draw a second picture showing how they could make it right, like cleaning up or apologizing. Talk together about how saying sorry and fixing a mistake both matter to God.
Lamb, Birds, or Flour Relay
You will need a few small cups or bowls, a bean bag, and a few stuffed animals or toy birds. Set up a simple relay where children carry a bean bag or stuffed animal from one spot to another and place it in a bowl at the end. Explain that the people in the story brought different gifts depending on what they had. Remind children that God welcomes every gift given with an honest heart.
Sorry Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Ask your child to write or draw one honest thing they said sorry for during the week, then fold it and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read a few slips together and pray thanking God for forgiveness. This helps children see that owning up to mistakes becomes a regular habit in the family.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that sin is not only what we do on purpose. God teaches that unintentional wrongs, hidden wrongs, and rash words still matter, and that the right response is honest confession and making things right. For adults, the passage also points forward to Jesus, who fulfills these sacrifices by offering Himself once for all.
Avoid suggesting to children that God is angry or waiting to punish them for every small slip. Leviticus is a chapter about God making a way for people to be forgiven and restored, so keep the emphasis on God’s generosity and the joy of being made right with Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us even when we make mistakes. Help us be honest when we do wrong, and help us say sorry and make things right. Thank You that You always forgive us and help us grow. Amen.
