In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is our perfect helper who made a way for us to be clean and close to God forever. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus gave his own life once and for all, so we can be clean inside and be friends with God forever.
Memory Verse
Hebrews 9:14
How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
(WEB)
Have children place one hand on their chest, then lift both arms up high like they are opening a window to heaven. Say the verse together slowly while doing the motion each time you reach “cleanse.”
The Story: Hebrews 9 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people had a special tent called the tabernacle. Inside it were a golden lamp, a table with bread, and a golden box called the ark of the covenant. Only the priests could go into the first room, and only one special priest, the high priest, could go into the innermost room, and he went in just once a year.
Every time the high priest went in, he brought blood from an animal. The blood was a gift that showed people their sins were serious and needed to be covered. But the blood of animals could not make people’s hearts completely clean. The gifts had to be given again and again.
Then Jesus came as our High Priest. He did not bring the blood of goats or calves. He brought his own blood, and he offered it to God one time, for everyone, forever. Jesus did not need to come again and again the way the priests did.
Think of a friend who says, “I will make things right for you, once and for all.” Jesus made things right for us completely. Because of him, we can come close to God with clean hearts and serve him with joy.
The writer of this letter wanted God’s people to remember that Jesus is coming back again. Those who wait for him with hope will see him, and he will make everything complete.
Read It Together
Hebrews 9:11-12
11 But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus is the High Priest of the good things that are coming. Ask children to notice that he entered the holy place once for all, not many times like the earthly priests did.
Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
(WEB)
Explain that in the old way, blood was very important for forgiveness. Help children see that this was a picture pointing forward to the better sacrifice Jesus would give.
Hebrews 9:28
So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus was offered once to carry the sins of many people. Point out the good news that he will come a second time to save those who are waiting for him with hope.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the priests had to keep bringing gifts again and again in the old days?
- What does it mean that Jesus made a way into God’s presence for us?
- How do you think Jesus can help make our hearts clean on the inside?
- What are some things you do to show that you are waiting for Jesus to come back?
- How can knowing that Jesus gave himself for us once and for all help you feel when you are scared or sad?
Activity Ideas
Paper Tabernacle Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask children to draw a tent with two rooms, one at the front and a smaller room behind a curtain at the back. Label the front room with a lamp and table, and draw a golden box in the back room. Talk about how only one priest went into the back room, and then talk about how Jesus opened the way for everyone.
Once and For All Relay
Set up two cones or chairs at one end of a room as the “old way” and one at the other end as the “new way.” Children take turns walking, then run to a finish line, and as they run they call out, “Jesus did it once for all!” Use a soft beanbag or folded paper as a gift they carry. Make it fun and light, and remind children that Jesus only had to do it one time.
Clean Heart Bracelet Take Home
Give each child a pipe cleaner and a few white beads. Let them slide the beads on the pipe cleaner while you talk about how Jesus makes our hearts clean. Help them twist the ends into a bracelet. Encourage children to wear it or keep it on a desk as a reminder that Jesus is our perfect helper and that we can come close to God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter teaches that Jesus is the true and final High Priest. The earthly tabernacle and its sacrifices pointed forward to him, and his single offering of himself has accomplished what the old gifts could not. Believers can approach God with confidence because of his finished work, and they look ahead with hope to his return.
Avoid overstating to children the details of the tabernacle layout or the items inside, since the goal is the bigger picture of Jesus making a way for us. Keep the focus on Jesus being our helper and on God’s love, rather than on memorizing furniture or ceremonies.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for being our perfect helper. You gave yourself once and for all so we can be clean and close to God. Help us remember your love every day, and help us wait for you with happy hearts. Amen.
