This lesson teaches children that God gave the blood of an animal as a sign that life belongs to him, and that God’s people honored that gift by bringing their offerings to him in the right place. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
Life is a gift from God, and we show we know that by honoring him in the ways he asks. God cares about how we treat the things that belong to him.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.
(WEB)
Hold both hands over your heart, then open them outward like you are giving a gift to someone. Say “Life belongs to God” as you open your hands. Repeat it three times together so the motion and the words stick.
The Story: Leviticus 17 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people were traveling through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. God spoke to Moses, and Moses passed God’s words on to Aaron, the priest, and to all the families of Israel. God wanted his people to understand something important about life and blood.
God told them that when someone wanted to offer an animal to him, the animal had to be brought to the door of the Tent of Meeting. That was the special place where God’s people met with him. Bringing the animal there showed that they knew the offering belonged to God and that he was the one they were giving it to.
God also explained why blood was so special. He said that the life of a creature is in its blood, and that he had given blood to his people on the altar so that they could be made right with him. The priest would sprinkle the blood on the altar, and that was a way of showing respect for the life God gave.
God made a rule that his people must not eat blood. He said, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh.” Even when someone went hunting and caught an animal, they had to pour out its blood and cover it with dust. The people were learning that blood was not food. It was holy, because it stood for life.
There was another rule about animals that died on their own or were torn by wild animals. Anyone who ate such an animal had to wash their clothes and bathe, and they stayed unclean until evening. God wanted his people to take care in how they lived, because he cared about every part of their lives.
God wanted his people to remember that everything they had came from him. When they followed his instructions, they showed that they trusted him and wanted to walk with him every day.
Read It Together
Leviticus 17:2
“Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘This is the thing which the LORD has commanded…
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke directly to Moses and told him to pass the message on to everyone. Ask the children who God was speaking to and why it mattered that everyone heard the same instructions.
Leviticus 17:4
And hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to offer it as an offering to the LORD before the LORD’s tabernacle: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people.
(WEB)
Show the children that God asked his people to bring their offerings to the Tent of Meeting. Explain that God wanted them to come to him in the right place, showing respect for him and his gift.
Leviticus 17:14
For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life: therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”
(WEB)
Explain that God told his people the life of all flesh is in its blood. Help children see that God takes life seriously, and that is why he taught his people to honor it.
Talk About It
- What did God want his people to bring to the Tent of Meeting, and why did he want them to bring it there?
- Why do you think God told his people that the life of an animal is in its blood?
- What are some ways we can show that we know everything we have comes from God?
- How did God’s rules about blood and clean clothes help his people remember that God cares about every part of their lives?
- What is one thing you have been given by God that you can thank him for today?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Tent of Meeting
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple tent with an open door and an altar in front of it. Let them color the tent and write or draw one gift they want to thank God for inside the door. Talk about how the tent was the place God’s people came to meet him.
Gift Giving Game
You will need a small box or bag and a few household objects like a spoon, a cup, and a toy. Place the objects in a pile, and have children take turns carrying one to the box while saying, “This belongs to God.” Explain that the box is like the Tent of Meeting, the place where we bring our gifts to God. Repeat until everyone has taken a turn.
Thank-You Card Take-Home
You will need a sheet of paper folded in half, a pencil, and crayons. Have each child write or draw one thing they are thankful God gave them and place it in an envelope. Encourage them to take it home and read it to their family at dinner. This helps the lesson continue beyond the classroom.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes life seriously and that he invites his people to honor him in the way he prescribes. The sacrifices pointed forward to the way Christ gave his life, and the altar was the place where God’s people met him. Adults can see that God’s instructions were rooted in his holiness and love for his people, not in arbitrary rules.
Be careful not to overstate the details of ancient sacrifice to children. Keep the focus on God’s care for life and his desire for his people to honor him, and avoid suggesting that children should imitate the practices literally today.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for the gift of life. Help us remember that everything we have comes from you. Teach us to honor you in the way we live and give. Thank you for loving us and caring about every part of our lives. Amen.
