This lesson teaches children that God invites His people to give generously and willingly, and that He wants to dwell with them. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions and one activity.
Big Idea
God asks His people to bring their best gifts because He wants to live among them. Giving to God is a joyful way to show Him that we love Him and want Him close.
Memory Verse
Exodus 25:8
Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like they are carrying a gift. Then bring their hands to their hearts while saying the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting slower each time.
The Story: Exodus 25 for Kids
God had rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, and now they were traveling through the wilderness. God wanted to be with them in a special way, so He chose Moses to lead the work. He told Moses to ask the people for gifts. Some of the gifts were gold, silver and bronze, and others were beautiful blue, purple and red cloth.
God said, “Ask everyone whose heart is willing to bring me an offering.” Each person could choose what to give, and they could give gladly. Their gifts would help build a holy tent called the tabernacle, a place where God could dwell with His people.
God gave Moses a careful plan for everything inside the tent. There was a special box called the ark, covered in pure gold, with two golden angels called cherubim on top. There was a table for the bread, and a golden lampstand with seven lamps that gave light. God told Moses to make each piece exactly the way He showed him on the mountain.
God said, “There I will meet with you.” This was a promise that God would be close to His people. The people brought their gifts, and the work began, so that God could live among them and be their God.
Read It Together
Exodus 25:1-2
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering.
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first and invited the people to give. Ask the children to notice the word “willing,” and talk about how giving is something we choose to do with a happy heart.
Exodus 25:21-22
21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I will give you. 22 There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony, all that I command you for the children of Israel.
(WEB)
Show the children that God promised to meet with His people in this special place. Explain that God wants to be close to us, and He still wants to hear from us and speak to us today.
Exodus 25:40
See that you make them after their pattern, which has been shown to you on the mountain.
(WEB)
Help the children see that God gave a careful pattern and wanted His people to follow it exactly. Explain that God’s instructions are good, and He cares about doing things the way He has shown us.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you love to give to someone you care about?
- How do you think the people felt when they brought gold and cloth to help build God’s tent?
- Why do you think God wanted to live with His people in a special place?
- What can you give to God, even if it is small?
- How can you tell that someone loves to be close to you?
Activity Ideas
Build a Mini Tabernacle Box
You will need a shoebox, construction paper in gold, blue, purple and red, scissors, glue and crayons. Help the children cover the inside and outside of the box with the colored paper, like the gold and cloth in God’s tent. Let them draw or cut out a small golden lampstand and tape it inside the box. Talk about how the tabernacle was a beautiful place for God to dwell.
Offering Walk
You will need a basket or small bag and a few small items like crayons, pencils or a toy. Have the children stand in a line and walk slowly while carrying the basket, saying “I want to give to God” with each step. At the end, let each child place one item in the basket and say what they are giving. Explain that God loves our willing hearts more than anything.
Gift for Home
You will need a sheet of paper, markers and an envelope. Ask the children to draw one thing they can give to God this week, such as helping at home or sharing a toy. Let them place the drawing in the envelope and bring it back next week to share. Encourage families to talk together about how God wants to be close to them every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Exodus 25 shows that God invites His people to offer gifts from willing hearts, and that He desires to dwell with them. The tabernacle points forward to the way God’s presence is now shared with His people through Jesus, who came to live among us and make God near to us.
Avoid suggesting to children that God only loves us when we give or that our gifts earn His favor. Keep the focus on God’s invitation and His desire to be close, rather than on the value of the gifts themselves.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for inviting us to give to You with willing hearts. Help us to share what we have and to trust that You want to be close to us. Thank You for being with us every day. Amen.
