This lesson teaches children that Jesus is a priest who lasts forever, unlike the priests who lived and died. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with time for a story, a memory verse, a few questions, and a short activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is our priest forever. He never dies, so He can always help us come close to God and always pray for us.
Memory Verse
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, then slowly bring them together and fold them over your heart. Say “forever” as your hands come together, so children connect the word with a gentle, steady motion.
The Story: Hebrews 7 for Kids
Long ago, there was a man named Melchizedek. He was a king of a town called Salem, and he was also a priest of God Most High. One day he met a man named Abraham, who had just won a big battle. Melchizedek blessed Abraham with bread and wine, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had. Abraham knew this man was very special.
God’s people had priests from the family of Levi. These priests helped the people come close to God, and they collected tithes according to the law God gave through Moses. But those priests all got sick and died, one after another. Each one needed a new priest to take his place.
The Bible tells us about a different priest, one like Melchizedek. Nobody knows where Melchizedek’s family came from or when he was born or when he died. The Bible says this new priest lives forever. Some people say he is like the Son of God, who is Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews says Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not the family of Levi. Jesus did not become a priest because of a list of family rules. He became a priest because God made a promise, and God said, “You are a priest forever.” When God makes a promise, He never changes His mind.
Because Jesus lives forever, He is always ready to help. He does not need to offer sacrifices every day for His own sins, because He has no sin. He gave Himself once and for all, and now He is always praying for those who come to God through Him.
Read It Together
Hebrews 7:1-3
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”; 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
(WEB)
Point out that Melchizedek was a king and a priest at the same time, and that his name means “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” Ask children what they think a king of peace would be like.
Hebrews 7:16
Who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life…
(WEB)
Explain that this priest was made by the power of a life that never ends, not by a list of family rules. Show children that Jesus’s power comes from His own life, which will never stop.
Hebrews 7:26
For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens…
(WEB)
Read the words slowly and point out how the verse describes Jesus: holy, without guilt, and set apart from sinners. Ask children to name one thing that makes Jesus good and different from us.
Talk About It
- What did Abraham do when he met Melchizedek, and why do you think he did it?
- Why did the old priests need new priests to take their places?
- How does it feel to know that Jesus is always alive and always praying for you?
- What is one way you can come close to God each day?
- Why is it good to have someone who never changes, and why is God’s promise so important?
Activity Ideas
Crown and Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large crown on one side of the paper and a heart on the other side. Write or ask them to say “Jesus is our priest forever” across the middle. Let children color their picture and talk about how Jesus is both a king and a priest who loves His people.
Forever Passing Game
You will need a small soft ball or a rolled up sock and a group of children. Stand in a circle and pass the ball, saying “forever” each time you throw it. Explain that each old priest passed the work on to someone new, but Jesus never has to pass His work to anyone else. End by having the children stand still and say together, “Jesus lives forever.”
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a rubber band. Help each child write the memory verse reference on one side and draw a small heart on the other. Ask them to keep the card in a pocket or a backpack, and to pull it out each night and say the verse before bed. This helps the lesson stay with them through the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter explains that Jesus holds a priesthood that does not pass away, because He lives forever and His work is complete. The writer of Hebrews shows that the old system of priests was a shadow pointing toward something greater, and that Jesus is the better hope through whom we draw near to God.
With children, avoid making the chapter about the details of Melchizedek’s identity, since Scripture gives little information about him and the writer uses him as a picture of Christ. Keep the focus on Jesus’s living, unchanging care for His people.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You that Jesus is our priest forever. Thank You that He never dies and always helps us come close to You. Help us remember that He is always praying for us. Keep us close to You this week, and help us trust You. Amen.
