In this lesson, children learn that God cared about every detail of the holy places where his people worshiped him, and that he gives us good work to do for him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a short story, a memory verse, a few Bible readings, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God is so good and holy that he wants his special things made with care, and he gives people skill to build them. We can use what God gives us to honor him.
Memory Verse
Exodus 37:1
Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.
(WEB)
Read the verse slowly, then have children stretch their arms out wide, like they are measuring something big, and then bring their hands together as if they are shaping wood. Do this twice together so the words and the motion stick.
The Story: Exodus 37 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people were traveling through the desert. God had told them to build a special tent called the tabernacle, a place where they could meet with him. Inside it were some very important holy things that needed to be made just right. God chose a man named Bezalel to lead the work, and God gave him wisdom and skill to make beautiful things.
Bezalel began with a chest called the ark. It was made of acacia wood, a strong wood that lasts a long time. He covered it with pure gold, inside and outside, and he put a golden rim around the top. Long poles were placed through rings on its sides so that people could carry it. Think about how careful he had to be with every piece.
On top of the ark was a golden lid called the mercy seat. Bezalel made two golden angels, called cherubim, and placed them at each end. Their wings reached up and covered the lid, and their faces looked toward each other and toward the lid. The whole thing was shaped with patient hands and a lot of care.
Bezalel did not stop there. He made a table of acacia wood covered in gold, and he added golden dishes, spoons, bowls, and pitchers for pouring. He also made a golden lampstand with six branches shaped like almond flowers, holding seven lamps that would shine in the holy place. Then he made a small altar for burning sweet incense, covered in gold and carried on poles. Each piece was made for God, and each one was made to be used in worship.
The people of Israel had watched God’s plan come together. Everything was made exactly the way God had asked, and everything was made to help them come close to him. Bezalel showed that a person can use a gift from God to do holy work.
Read It Together
Exodus 37:1-2
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it.
(WEB)
Point out that Bezalel started with the ark and covered it with pure gold inside and outside. Ask children what it means to do something carefully from the start to the finish.
Exodus 37:7-9
7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat; 8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.
(WEB)
Show children how the cherubim faced each other and covered the mercy seat with their wings. Explain that the mercy seat was a place where God’s presence was special, and that the wings show how the holy place was protected and honored.
Exodus 37:17-19
17 He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side: 19 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand.
(WEB)
Point out the lampstand with its branches, cups, and flowers, all made from one piece of gold. Let children notice how one beautiful thing can have many parts that belong together, just like a family or a church.
Talk About It
- What do you think Bezalel felt when he saw the finished ark covered in gold?
- Why do you think God wanted his holy things to be made so carefully?
- What is one gift God has given you, and how could you use it to honor him?
- What does the lampstand with its seven lamps remind you of about light?
- How can we show care for the places and things we use to worship God today?
Activity Ideas
Golden Lampstand Craft
You will need paper, scissors, glue, a pencil, and yellow or gold crayons or markers. Have each child draw a tall stand with a center stem and three branches on each side. Let them color the branches gold and add a small flower or cup at the tip of each branch. While they work, talk about how the lampstand was made from one piece of gold.
Carry the Ark Game
You will need a small box, two long sticks or dowels, and some string. Tie the sticks to the sides of the box so two people can lift it together. Have children take turns carrying the box across the room while the others cheer them on. Remind them that the poles helped the ark be carried with care.
Careful Hands Take-Home Card
You will need a sheet of cardstock, markers, and a small golden sticker or piece of gold foil. Have children write the memory verse on the card and decorate it with a drawing of something they can make or do to honor God this week. Encourage them to show the card to a family member at home and explain what they remember from the story.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about the details of worship and that he gives skilled people the ability to build what he asks for. The tabernacle and its furnishings point forward to God’s desire to dwell with his people, a theme the rest of Scripture continues.
With children, avoid overstating the mechanics of the furniture or trying to explain every symbol. Keep the focus on the big picture: God is holy, he is worthy of our best work, and he gives us gifts to use for him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for being holy and for caring about every detail of our lives. Help us use the gifts you give us to do good work and to honor you. Show us how to be careful, patient, and kind in everything we do. Amen.
