In this lesson, children learn that God loves gifts made from the best of what we have, and that giving to Him is a way of saying thank you. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with plenty of room for drawing, moving and talking together.
Big Idea
God wants us to give Him our best, and every gift we bring to Him can show our love and thankfulness.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 2:1
“‘When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
(WEB)
Ask the children to cup both hands together as if holding a small gift. Then have them lift their cupped hands up toward the ceiling, slowly, while they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, lifting a little higher each time.
The Story: Leviticus 2 for Kids
Long ago, God gave His people a special way to bring gifts to Him. These gifts were called offerings, and they were a way of showing God that the people loved Him and thanked Him for all He had given them. The people brought their gifts to the priests, who helped them offer them to God.
One kind of gift was made from fine flour, the very smoothest and finest flour. The person mixed it with oil and sprinkled a little sweet-smelling frankincense on top. This was not an ordinary bag of flour. It was the best flour, prepared with care, because it was going to God.
Sometimes the gift was baked in an oven, sometimes cooked on a flat griddle, and sometimes made in a pan. Each person could bring what they had, but every gift was made with care and brought with a glad heart. God told His people that the gifts were holy, set apart for Him.
God gave a special rule about these gifts. He said, “Do not bring yeast or honey to be burned on the altar.” Yeast makes bread rise and honey is sweet, but God asked His people to keep these out of this kind of gift. This reminded them that God is holy and that their offerings should be simple, pure and offered honestly.
God also asked for salt to be added to every gift. Salt was a sign of a promise that lasts, like a friendship that does not go away. The people were reminded that God keeps His promises, and they were called to keep their promises to Him too.
When the gifts were finished, the part that was left over was given to Aaron and his sons, the priests, to eat. God said this part was most holy, because it had been given to Him first. The whole chapter shows that God cares deeply about the gifts His people bring, and He wants them to come from a grateful heart.
Read It Together
Leviticus 2:4
“‘When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
(WEB)
Point out that people could bring gifts baked in an oven or cooked on a griddle, which means God welcomed what each family could offer. Show the children that the gift did not have to be fancy, but it did have to be made with care. Ask them what small thing they could make with care for someone they love.
Leviticus 2:13
Every offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt. You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
(WEB)
Explain that salt was a sign of God’s faithful promise, and that God keeps His word every day. Ask the children to name something that always stays the same, like the sun coming up. Connect this to the way God’s love never changes.
Leviticus 2:14-16
14 “‘If you offer a meal offering of first fruits to the LORD, you shall offer for the meal offering of your first fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the fresh ear. 15 You shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it: it is a meal offering. 16 The priest shall burn as its memorial, part of its bruised grain, and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense: it is an offering made by fire to the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out that God wanted the very first part of the harvest, the first fruits, to be brought to Him. This shows that God should come first in our lives. Ask the children what it might look like to put God first in their day.
Talk About It
- What kind of gift do you think would make God happy to receive, and why?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to bring their very best flour instead of leftovers?
- What does salt remind you of, and how does it help us think about God’s promises?
- Can you think of a time when you gave something to someone with a thankful heart?
- How can you show God your thanks this week, even with small things?
Activity Ideas
Decorate a Thank-You Gift Box
You will need a small cardboard box or paper bag, crayons or markers, and some stickers. Ask each child to decorate the box with pictures of things they are thankful for. Then have them write or draw one thing they want to give to God. Let them place the box on a shelf at home as a reminder to give thanks.
Offering Relay Game
You will need two spoons, a bowl of dry cereal or rice standing in for flour, and a cup of water. Divide the children into two teams and have them carry a spoonful of “flour” from the bowl to a basket at the other side of the room without spilling it. Talk about how carefully the gift had to be carried, and how God wants us to bring our gifts carefully too.
Salt Promise Jar
You will need a small clear jar, some salt, and paper strips. Have each child write a promise they want to keep this week, such as helping at home or being kind to a friend. Let them fold the paper and place it in the jar with a spoonful of salt. Remind them that God keeps His promises, and that we can ask Him to help us keep ours.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cared about the quality and sincerity of the offerings His people brought. The grain offering was a way of acknowledging that everything we have comes from God, and that our daily work and ordinary provision can be given back to Him in worship. The salt, the first fruits and the absence of yeast and honey all point to purity, faithfulness and thanksgiving.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of ancient sacrifice or suggesting that God only accepts gifts of food. Keep the focus on the heart of giving, that God welcomes what we bring when it is offered with love and gratitude. Be careful not to make the lesson about rules alone, since the chapter’s main message is about thankfulness and a relationship with God.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for all the good things You give us every day. Help us to bring You our best, whether it is a kind word, a helping hand or a thankful heart. Teach us to put You first and to keep our promises to You. Amen.
