This lesson teaches children that God loved to receive gifts from His people during their special days of worship, and that giving to God is a joyful way to say thank you. It works well for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God’s people gave their best to Him on special days, and we can give Him our best too, because He is worthy of it.
Memory Verse
Numbers 29:1
“‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work: it is a day of blowing of trumpets to you.
(WEB)
Hold both hands up like a trumpet, then blow a long, happy “toot” together. Each time you blow, remember that God’s people had a special day to celebrate Him, and so do we.
The Story: Numbers 29 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were traveling through the wilderness with Moses as their leader. God gave them a set of special days to remember Him, and one of them came in the seventh month. On the first day of that month, the people were told to stop their regular work and gather together. They heard the sound of trumpets, which meant it was a day to come close to God.
God asked His people to bring gifts to Him. The gifts were not for show. They were called offerings, and they were burned on an altar as a sweet smell going up to the LORD. The people brought young bulls, rams, and little lambs, all of them healthy and without any flaw. God wanted the very best.
On the tenth day, the people were asked to set aside time to think about their sins and to humble their hearts before God. They did no regular work that day. They gave special offerings to show they were sorry for wrong things and that they wanted to be made right with God again.
Then came the fifteenth day, the start of a whole week of feasting. Each day, the number of animals went down. On the first day there were thirteen young bulls. Each day after that, one fewer bull was brought, until the last day had only seven. The people were doing this together, day after day, and every single gift was given to the LORD with care.
On the eighth day, the people gathered for one more special meeting. They gave one bull, one ram, and seven lambs to God. When everything was finished, Moses told the people that they had done exactly what the LORD had asked. The people had listened, and they had obeyed.
Read It Together
Numbers 29:12
“‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. You shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.
(WEB)
Point out that the people were told to keep a feast to the LORD for seven days. Ask the children what they think a feast with God might feel like, and remind them that God loves to be with His people in celebration.
Numbers 29:39
“‘You shall offer these to the LORD in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meal offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.’”
(WEB)
Show the children that God’s people brought many kinds of gifts, not just one. Explain that the offerings were given in special feasts and also in thanks, which means we can thank God in many ways too.
Numbers 29:40
Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.
(WEB)
Point out that Moses did exactly what God commanded. Ask the children how they can follow what God asks of them each day, even when it is hard to do.
Talk About It
- What kind of special day would you most like to celebrate with God, and why?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to bring their very best animals to Him?
- How did the people show that they were sorry for their wrongs on the tenth day?
- What is one way you can give something good to God this week?
- How do you think Moses felt when he saw the people obey God together?
Activity Ideas
Paper Trumpet Craft
You will need a paper towel tube, a sheet of construction paper, tape, and crayons. Let the children decorate the tube and the paper cone, then tape the cone to the end of the tube. Talk about how the trumpets called God’s people to gather, and let the children use their trumpets to call everyone to the lesson.
Gifts for the King Game
You will need a few soft toys or socks rolled into balls, and a bucket or a basket. Set the basket at one end of the room and have the children walk, hop, or march to it carrying one gift at a time. Remind them that every gift was given carefully to God, and that they can bring their best effort to Him too.
Take-Home Thank You Card
You will need paper, markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw one thing they are thankful for and write or dictate one sentence to God. Encourage them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it each day as a reminder to give thanks.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Numbers 29 shows how God’s people were called to set apart special times and gifts to honor Him. The offerings pointed to the need for atonement and to the holiness of God, and Christians see in them a picture of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. The chapter also reflects a rhythm of worship that is both joyful and reverent.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of the animal sacrifices. Focus on the heart behind the gifts, which is giving God our best and thanking Him, rather than on the specific ritual steps that children may find confusing or upsetting.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and for giving us special days to remember You. Help us to give You our best, whether it is a song, a kind word, or a thankful heart. Teach us to listen and obey You, just as Your people did long ago. Amen.
