Leviticus 7 teaches children that God cares about how His people worship Him, and that giving to Him is a way of showing thankfulness and trust. Children aged about 5 to 11 can enjoy this lesson, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach with time for questions and activities.
Big Idea
God loves it when we give Him our best and thank Him for all He gives us. Our gifts show that we trust Him and remember that everything we have comes from Him.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 7:12
If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up in front of them, palms open, as if they are carrying a gift. Then have them lift their hands high and say the verse together, bringing their hands down slowly like they are placing the gift on an altar.
The Story: Leviticus 7 for Kids
Long ago, God gave His people a set of special rules for how to worship Him. These rules were given to Moses, who helped lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. God wanted His people to know how to bring their gifts to Him in a way that honored Him.
The priests were men who helped the people bring their offerings to God. Some offerings were for saying sorry when someone had done something wrong. Other offerings were given to say thank you to God for His goodness. The people brought their animals and grain to the altar, and the priests made sure everything was done the right way.
God said that the offering for saying thank you should be eaten on the same day it was given, or the next day. He did not want the food left around for too long. God wanted His people to treat their gifts with care and respect. He said, “Do not hold onto your thank you gift too long, because it is meant to be shared with Me and with the people who serve Me.”
God also taught the people that some parts of the animals belonged only to Him. The fat and the blood were not for eating. God said that these parts were holy and should be given back to Him. Even the priests were given special portions of the offerings to show that God takes care of those who serve Him.
Moses listened carefully to everything God said and shared it with the people. The whole nation learned that worship mattered deeply to God. Every gift they brought was a way to say, “We belong to You, and we trust You.”
Read It Together
Leviticus 7:11-12
11 “‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to the LORD. 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil.
(WEB)
Point out that the offering was given to thank God. Ask the children what they have been thankful for this week, and remind them that a thankful heart is a gift to God.
Leviticus 7:16
“‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice; and on the next day what remains of it shall be eaten…
(WEB)
Explain that God gave the people a sense of timing for their offerings. Show that God wanted His people to be prepared and careful with what they brought to Him.
Leviticus 7:30-31
30 With his own hands he shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the LORD. 31 The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.
(WEB)
Point out that God gave the priests a share of the offerings. Explain that God takes care of the people who serve Him, and that serving God is an honor.
Talk About It
- What is something you could give to God to say thank you?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to bring their very best?
- How can you show God you trust Him in your everyday life?
- Why do you think God cared about the priests and gave them a share of the offerings?
- What is one way you can remember to thank God each day?
Activity Ideas
Thank You Altar Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a glue stick. Have each child draw a simple altar with an open space in the middle. Then ask them to draw or write one thing they are thankful for and place it on the altar. Talk about how each drawing is a gift to God that shows gratitude and trust.
Priest and Offering Game
You will need a few small toys, blocks, or pieces of paper to act as offerings, and a chair or box to serve as the altar. Let the children take turns being the priest who carries an offering to the altar and places it down carefully. Encourage them to move slowly and gently, reminding them that the people in Leviticus treated their gifts with care and reverence.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need a jar, some scrap paper, and a pen. Place the jar somewhere everyone can see it at home. Each day, have family members write one thing they are thankful for on a slip of paper and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and thank God for each gift.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Leviticus 7 shows that God cares deeply about worship and about the way His people respond to His goodness. The offerings pointed toward the holiness of God and the need for reconciliation with Him, and Christians see these practices as pointing forward to Jesus, who gave Himself once for all. The chapter also reminds us that giving to God and caring for those who serve Him are both part of faithful living.
Avoid overstating the details of animal sacrifice to children. Keep the focus on the heart behind giving, thankfulness, and trust in God, rather than on specific rituals that children may find confusing or unsettling.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and giving us so many good things. Help us bring You our thanks and our best every day. Teach us to trust You with everything we have. Amen.
