This lesson teaches children that God’s people remember how He rescued them and celebrate Him together. It is written for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with a memory verse, a short story, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God rescued His people from Egypt, so we remember what He has done and celebrate Him with joy. We never forget that He set us free.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 16:12
You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt. You shall observe and do these statutes.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall, then slowly bend down as if they are carrying something heavy, and then stand up and lift their arms high. Say the verse together while you move, showing that God lifted His people up out of hard times.
The Story: Deuteronomy 16 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people had been slaves in the land of Egypt. They worked hard every day, and nobody gave them a day off. But God heard their crying and decided to set them free. He told Moses to lead them out of Egypt, and God made a way for them to leave.
God gave His people special days to remember what He had done. The first one was the Passover. Each family was to sacrifice a lamb to God, and they were to eat their meal quickly, with bread that had no yeast in it. God said, “Remember that you came out of Egypt in a hurry.” The bread was called the bread of hardship, because it reminded them how hard life had been.
After the Passover came the Feast of Weeks, which was a happy time of giving. Each person brought a gift to God, as much as he or she was able to give. Families came together, and the people were glad. They ate, they sang, and they thanked God for the good harvest He had given them.
The third feast was the Feast of Tents. For seven days, the people lived in small shelters made of branches. They did this to remember how God had cared for them in the wilderness, when they had no houses at all. God wanted His people to rejoice and be thankful.
God also gave His people rules about being fair. He told them to choose good judges who would treat everyone the same. Rich people and poor people, strangers and families, were all to be treated with fairness. God said, “Follow what is right and fair, so that you may live.” God always cares about justice.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 16:3
You shall eat no leavened bread with it. You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction; for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste; that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.
(WEB)
Point out that God told His people to remember the day they left Egypt for the rest of their lives. Ask the children what they think helps them remember important days, like birthdays or holidays. Explain that God gave these feasts so His people would never forget His care.
Deuteronomy 16:11
You shall rejoice before the LORD your God: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are among you, in the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there.
(WEB)
Point out that God invited everyone to celebrate, including children, servants, and people who had no family to care for them. Show the children that God’s happiness is meant to be shared with everyone in the community, especially those who need kindness.
Deuteronomy 16:19
You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
(WEB)
Point out that God wanted His people to be fair and honest in their judging. Explain that a bribe is a secret gift meant to make someone do something wrong. Help the children see that God wants us to be honest and never trick or cheat others.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God did for His people that you think they should never forget?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to have happy feasts together?
- How did the Feast of Tents help the people remember God’s care in the wilderness?
- Who did God want to invite to celebrate with His people, and why do you think that matters?
- What is one way you can be fair and honest like God asked His people to be?
Activity Ideas
Paper Tent Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to draw a small tent or shelter on the paper, then add a picture of something they are thankful for inside or around it. Hang the drawings on the wall so the class can see how many things God has given them to be grateful for.
Freeze Dance Celebration
You will need some music and an open space. Play a song and let the children dance freely. When the music stops, they freeze and say one thing God has done for them. Start again and keep going. This game helps children practice joyful thankfulness, just like the feasts God gave to His people long ago.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need a jar, some small slips of paper, and a pencil. Keep the jar in a visible place at home. Each day, family members write one thing God has done and drop the paper into the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and thank God out loud, remembering His faithful care.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s people were to remember their deliverance through regular worship, shared celebration, generosity, and justice. The feasts were not only about the past, but about living every day in gratitude to God and caring for the vulnerable among them. Worship and fairness belong together.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of the ancient feasts or the exact way they were carried out. Keep the focus on the simple truths: God rescued His people, He wants them to remember, and He cares about kindness and honesty. Let children hear the joy of the chapter without getting lost in the rules.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for rescuing Your people and for taking care of us too. Help us remember all the good things You have done. Help us be kind, fair, and honest to everyone around us. We love You and we thank You. Amen.
