This lesson teaches children that God cares about how we treat other people, and that when we do wrong, we make things right and bring our offering to God. It is best for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how many activities you choose.
Big Idea
God wants us to be honest and fair with others, and when we mess up, we make it right and come back to Him with a sorry heart.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 6:5
Or any thing about which he has sworn falsely; he shall restore it even in full, and shall add a fifth part more to it. He shall return it to him to whom it belongs in the day of his being found guilty.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, as if you are giving something back. Then slowly bring them together over your heart. Say the words with the motion, and the children will remember that making things right is a way of giving honestly back.
The Story: Leviticus 6 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to His friend Moses and gave him rules to share with the people of Israel. Some of the rules were about what to do when someone did something wrong to a neighbor. Maybe a person borrowed something and kept it, or took something that did not belong to him, or told a lie to get what he wanted.
God said that the person who did this wrong was not only hurting his neighbor. He was also hurting God’s heart. So God told the people what to do to make things right. The person had to give back the thing he took. He also had to add an extra part on top, so the neighbor was fully repaid.
Then the person brought a special gift to the priest, a healthy young ram from his flock. The priest prayed for him, and God forgave him. God was ready to welcome the person back, just as a loving parent welcomes a child who says sorry.
The story goes on with God talking about the fire on the altar. He told Aaron and his sons, the priests, that the fire must never go out. Every morning they were to tend it carefully and keep the offerings burning before God. God said, in simple words, that the fire was to keep burning and that the priests had a special job to take care of it.
God also explained the grain offering and the sin offering. The priests ate part of some of the gifts, and God said these parts were holy and set apart for Him. Everything about these offerings showed the people that God takes sin seriously and that He also provides a way back to Him.
Read It Together
Leviticus 6:2-3
2 “If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against the LORD, and deals falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor, 3 or has found that which was lost, and dealt falsely therein, and swearing to a lie; in any of these things that a man does, sinning therein…
(WEB)
Point out that the rules start with the ordinary things people do to each other, like cheating or lying about something found. Ask the children to think of times they have been unfair, and explain that God notices even the small things.
Leviticus 6:6-7
6 He shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD, a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest. 7 The priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he does to become guilty.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God gave a way to be forgiven, which was a gift brought to the priest. Explain that God always makes a way back to Him when we are sorry, and that He is ready to forgive.
Leviticus 6:12-13
12 The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not go out; and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning: and he shall lay the burnt offering in order upon it, and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. 13 Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.
(WEB)
Point out that God wanted the fire on the altar to keep burning all the time. Tell the children that this shows how God wants His people to stay close to Him every single day, not just once in a while.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that people did in this story that was not fair to their neighbors?
- Why do you think God wanted the person to give back more than he took?
- How do you feel when someone says sorry and makes things right with you?
- What is one way you can be honest and fair with your family or friends this week?
- Why do you think God wants us to come back to Him when we do something wrong?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Fire on the Altar
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple altar, then add orange, red, and yellow flames on top. As they draw, remind them that God wanted the fire to keep burning, and talk together about how we can keep our hearts warm toward God every day.
Make It Right Relay
You will need two cups, a few small objects like coins or pom-poms, and a open space to run. Divide the children into two teams. Each child carries one object from one cup to the other, then runs back. Along the way, pause and let them say one honest thing they could do for someone. This shows that making things right takes effort and care.
Sorry Bead Bracelet
You will need pipe cleaners, a bag of large beads, and a sheet of paper. Let each child string beads onto a pipe cleaner while you talk about how God forgives us when we say sorry. Take the bracelet home as a reminder that God always makes a way back to Him, and that we can make things right with the people we care about.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that sin is more than private wrongdoing. It damages real relationships with neighbors, and it also weighs on our relationship with God. The chapter moves from personal restitution to the ongoing worship of the community, showing that God’s people are called to both honesty with one another and faithful devotion to Him.
With children, avoid overstating the details of the sacrifices and the priestly duties, since many of these practices are not part of Christian worship today. Focus on the heart of the passage: God cares about fairness, He welcomes people back when they are sorry, and He keeps His promises of forgiveness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for caring about how we treat each other. Help us to be honest and fair, and help us to make things right when we get it wrong. Thank You that You always welcome us back when we say sorry. Keep our hearts close to You every day. Amen.
