In this lesson, children learn that God is pleased when His people bring their gifts to Him with joy and care. The lesson works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we give something to God, we give it with a happy heart, and He sees and cares about every gift we bring.
Memory Verse
Numbers 7:1
On the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them…
(WEB)
Have children stand up tall, then slowly lift both hands above their heads as if carrying a gift. Say the verse together, lowering the hands gently when you reach the word “finished.” Repeat it three times, speeding up each time.
The Story: Numbers 7 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people were traveling through the desert with Moses as their leader. They lived in tents, and God had told them to build a special tent called the tabernacle, where they could meet with Him. When Moses finished building it, everything inside was made holy and set apart for God.
The leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel wanted to bring a gift to God too. Each day for twelve days, a different leader came forward. They brought silver dishes, silver bowls filled with flour and oil, golden spoons full of sweet incense, and animals for sacrifices. Every leader gave the same gifts, one after another.
God told Moses to accept these gifts and give wagons and oxen to the families who carried the tent and its parts. Some families got wagons because they had heavy work to do. The Kohath family got none, because they carried the holy things on their own shoulders.
Each leader brought his gift on his own day, and the Bible lists them carefully. Nahshon of Judah went first, then Nethanel of Issachar, then Eliab of Zebulun, and so on. Nobody was left out, and nobody rushed. Each one had his own special day.
God saw every gift, and He saw every heart that gave it. The people learned that worship means bringing God our very best, whether it is big or small. God cared about the leaders’ hearts as much as their offerings.
Read It Together
Numbers 7:12
He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah…
(WEB)
Point out that the first leader to give was Nahshon from the tribe of Judah. Ask children to notice that each leader had a day of his own, so everyone had a turn to honor God.
Numbers 7:88
And all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after it was anointed.
(WEB)
Explain that this verse describes the dedication of the altar, a place where God’s people met with Him. Tell children that the altar was special because it was set apart just for worship.
Numbers 7:89
When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard his voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him.
(WEB)
Tell children that God spoke to Moses from between the cherubim above the ark. Remind them that God was present with His people and that He listens when we talk to Him.
Talk About It
- What is one gift you have given to someone you love, and how did it feel to give it?
- Why do you think each leader waited for his own day to bring his gift?
- How might God feel when we bring Him our best with a happy heart?
- What is something small you could offer to God this week, like a kind word or a helping hand?
- Why do you think God noticed the Kohath family, even though they did not get wagons?
Activity Ideas
Gift Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Ask each child to draw a gift they would like to give to God, such as a picture, a song, or a favorite toy. Cut out the drawings and tape them to a piece of poster board labeled “Our Gifts to God.” Talk about how each gift is different but all are precious to Him.
Carry the Gift Relay
You will need a few cups, a bowl, and a spoon. Set up two lines of children and give the first child in each line a cup of dry beans. The children pass the cup down the line, and the last child places it in the bowl. Explain that the leaders carried their gifts carefully to the tent, just like the children are carrying theirs.
Thankful Gift Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper, and a pen. Each family member writes one thing they can give to God each day, like a prayer, a kind action, or a thank you. Fold the papers and place them in the jar. Read a few together at dinner, reminding everyone that giving to God is something we can do every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes worship seriously and that offerings were a central part of Israel’s life with Him. The repeated lists remind us that God notices every person and every gift, even when they seem similar. Under the new covenant, believers worship God through their whole lives, offering themselves as living sacrifices.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that God rewards gifts with money or blessings in return. Keep the focus on giving joyfully and honoring God, rather than on getting something back.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and caring about everything we bring to You. Help us give our best with happy hearts, whether our gifts are big or small. Teach us to honor You every day in what we do and say. Amen.
