Leviticus 27 teaches children that what we promise to give to God matters, and that God is honored when we keep our word. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we promise something to God, we keep our promise, because God cares about our words and our hearts.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 27:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man consecrates a person to the LORD in a vow, according to your valuation…
(WEB)
Have children hold both palms open in front of them, then slowly bring their hands together in front of their chest as they say the verse. Let the motion show a promise being made and kept.
The Story: Leviticus 27 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to Moses and gave him special rules for the people of Israel. God told Moses to say something important to the children of Israel. Sometimes a person made a promise to give something special to God. This was called a vow.
God explained that a vow could be about a person. A grown-up, a child, or even a baby could be given to God in a special promise. Because people were different ages, the value of each person was different. The priest was the one who helped decide the value, and he made sure the rules were fair. Some people were poor, so the priest looked at what each person could pay.
God also talked about animals and houses and fields. If someone promised an animal to God, that animal became holy and could not be changed. A person could not swap a good animal for a bad one. If someone wanted to buy back what they had promised, they had to add an extra part to the price. God wanted people to think carefully before they made a promise.
God even talked about land. A field could be promised to God, and the value was set by how much seed it could hold. Some fields went back to their first owners in the special year called the Year of Jubilee. God gave these rules so His people would be fair, careful, and faithful. At the end of the chapter, Moses reminded the people that these were the commands God gave on Mount Sinai.
Read It Together
Leviticus 27:14
“‘When a man dedicates his house to be holy to the LORD, then the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad: as the priest shall evaluate it, so shall it stand.
(WEB)
Point out that a house could be given to God too. Ask children why God would want people to treat their promises so seriously, and how a promise is like a gift.
Leviticus 27:30
“‘All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD.
(WEB)
Explain that the tenth part of the harvest belonged to God. Show that God gave His people good things, and they gave some back to Him as a way of thanks.
Leviticus 27:34
These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.
(WEB)
Point out that these were real commands God gave to Moses. Tell children the Bible is God’s special book, and we can trust what it says.
Talk About It
- What is a promise, and why do you think it is important to keep one?
- Why do you think God wanted people to think carefully before they made a vow?
- What is something you could give to God or to someone else to show thanks?
- How do you feel when someone keeps their word to you?
- What is one promise you made recently that you want to keep this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Promise Picture
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and markers. Ask them to draw something they would like to promise to God, such as helping at home or being kind to a friend. Let them write one word under the picture, and then display the drawings on the wall as a reminder that promises matter.
Promise Keeper Game
Set up a simple course with cones, chairs, or pillows around the room. Tell children to walk the course slowly and carefully, keeping their balance the way they would keep a promise. Give a small cheer at the end for each child who finishes, and talk about how keeping promises takes steady effort.
Take-Home Promise Jar
Give each child an empty jar or cup and a few slips of paper. Ask them to write one promise they want to keep this week and place it in the jar. Encourage families to read the promises together at dinner and celebrate when each one is kept.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Leviticus 27 shows that God takes vows and dedications seriously, and that He cares about faithfulness in the details of everyday life. The chapter also reveals God’s concern for fairness, since the valuations took into account the ability of the poor to pay. Believers today can see in it a call to give with integrity and to honor what they have committed to God.
Avoid overstating to children that they must never make a mistake in their promises or that God will punish every broken word. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and on the joy of keeping our word with a loving heart.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. Help us to be honest and careful with our words, and help us to keep the promises we make to You and to others. We love You and want to honor You in everything we do. Amen.
