This lesson teaches children that God is holy, which means He is special and must be honored in the way we come to Him. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Because Leviticus 10 includes a sad and serious story, a teacher should go slowly and speak calmly, always keeping the focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Big Idea
God is holy, so we must come to Him in the way He has told us, and we should always take Him seriously because He is good and wise.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of, saying, ‘I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” Aaron held his peace.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands together in front of their chests, then slowly lift them up high as if offering something to God. Say the words together slowly, one short phrase at a time, and repeat the motion each time.
The Story: Leviticus 10 for Kids
God had set up a special Tent of Meeting, a place where the people could come near to Him. God chose Aaron and his sons to serve Him there as priests. Aaron’s sons were named Nadab and Abihu, and they had a job to do: to bring offerings to God in the exact way that God had commanded.
One day, Nadab and Abihu decided to do things their own way. They took their special bowls, put fire in them, and offered something to God that He had not asked them to offer. They did not follow God’s instructions, and they did not treat His holy place with the honor that it deserved.
Suddenly, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and took the lives of Nadab and Abihu. It was a terribly sad moment for their family and for all the people watching. God had shown that He is holy and must be honored in the way He has said.
Moses told Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when He said He would show Himself holy to those who come near Him.” Aaron was very quiet and very sad. He did not say anything, because his heart was broken, and he trusted that God is always right.
Moses then told the other priests, Eleazar and Ithamar, what God wanted them to do next. They were not allowed to show their grief in the usual ways, because they had a special job to finish. They obeyed Moses and kept doing the work that God had given them.
Read It Together
Leviticus 10:1-2
1 Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2 Fire came out from before the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out that Nadab and Abihu did something God had not asked them to do. Explain that this story shows us that God takes His holiness very seriously, and that we should always listen carefully to what He tells us.
Leviticus 10:8-9
8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, 9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.
(WEB)
Help the children see that God gave clear instructions to Aaron and his sons about how to serve Him in the Tent of Meeting. Explain that God cares about their safety and wants them to be ready to serve Him with clear minds.
Leviticus 10:10-11
10 You are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean. 11 You are to teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God wants His people to know the difference between what is holy and what is common. Explain that God also wants parents and teachers to help children learn God’s ways, so they can grow up knowing Him.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you learned about God in today’s story?
- Why do you think God wants us to listen carefully to Him?
- How can we show that we respect God and His holy ways?
- What might help us remember to do things God’s way instead of our own way?
- How does it feel to know that God is always good, even when we find hard stories in the Bible?
Activity Ideas
Holy Lamp Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a bowl or lamp, then color it bright and special to show that it belongs to God. Encourage them to write the word “Holy” along the top of their picture as a reminder that God is set apart and worthy of honor.
Follow the Leader Instructions Game
Play a simple game where you give clear instructions, such as “Hop three times” or “Touch your nose.” Children must follow exactly what you say and not add their own moves. Afterward, talk about how following God’s instructions carefully shows that we trust Him and want to honor Him.
Take-Home Reminder Card
Cut index cards in half and give each child one. Ask them to write or draw one way they can honor God this week, such as praying before meals or helping at home without being asked. Encourage them to place the card on the refrigerator or by their bed so they can remember to honor God every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage reveals that God’s holiness is serious and deserves reverent worship, and that He has set clear ways for His people to draw near to Him. It also shows that God’s justice and mercy are both real, and that His people must trust Him even when they do not understand what He is doing. The story reminds us that approaching God on our own terms is dangerous, and that worship must follow His word.
Avoid overstating to children that God punishes people when they make mistakes, since this can create fear rather than trust. Instead, focus on the truth that God is holy and good, and that He invites us to know Him through His instructions and His love.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank You that You are holy and good. Help us to honor You in the way we come to You, and help us to listen carefully to what You tell us. Teach us to trust You even when we do not understand everything. Thank You for loving us and for being with us each day. Amen.
