Leviticus 7 explains the rules for the trespass offering and the peace offering, including who could eat the sacred portions, how quickly the meat had to be eaten, and what made a sacrifice unclean or unacceptable. These questions are for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study. Each set moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how it shapes everyday faith.
Leviticus 7 at a Glance
The chapter begins with the trespass offering, explaining that it is most holy and describing the parts the priests burn and the parts they may eat. It then turns to the peace offering, which could be given as thanksgiving, a vow, or a freewill gift, with rules about how long its meat could be kept. The chapter closes with prohibitions against eating fat and blood, warnings about uncleanness, and the priests’ share of the offerings.
A leader can read the chapter in two movements: first the guilt-related offerings and the priests’ portions, then the peace offerings and the warnings about purity. Tracking these two movements helps the group see how the chapter holds together.
Observation Questions
Use these questions to slow the group down and look closely at the wording before anyone offers an interpretation. Ask one question at a time, let several people answer, and return to the text rather than adding commentary too early.
Leviticus 7:11-12
11 “‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to the LORD. 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil.
(WEB)
Read this passage to introduce the peace offering and its link to thanksgiving. It sets the tone for the group’s discussion of gratitude and fellowship with God.
Leviticus 7:15
The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning.
(WEB)
This verse shows the urgency of the thanksgiving meal and invites the group to think about the timing of gratitude. Reading it aloud helps the group hear its direct command.
Leviticus 7:20-21
20 But the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that belongs to the LORD, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people. 21 When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eats some of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which belong to the LORD, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”
(WEB)
These verses state the consequence of eating sacred meat while unclean. Reading them aloud brings the chapter’s seriousness about holiness into the room.
Leviticus 7:34
For the waved breast and the heaved thigh I have taken from the children of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel.’”
(WEB)
This verse names God’s provision for Aaron and his sons as a portion forever. Reading it aloud prompts a conversation about support for those who serve.
Leviticus 7:37-38
37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meal offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecration, and of the sacrifice of peace offerings; 38 which the LORD commanded Moses in Mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their offerings to the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
(WEB)
This closing summary ties the offerings to God’s command at Sinai. Reading it aloud helps the group end by recognizing the chapter’s origin in God’s word.
Memory Verse for Leviticus 7
Leviticus 7:12
If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil.
(WEB)
This verse introduces the thanksgiving offering, the heart of the chapter’s call to gratitude. Memorizing it gives the group a reminder to offer thanks to God in everyday life.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you invite us into fellowship with you and that you care for those who serve you. Thank you for the holiness you desire in your people and for the way you make a way for us to come near. Search our hearts where we have been careless with what is sacred, and cleanse us where we have come to you unclean. Teach us to offer thanks promptly and generously, and to honor those who serve in your house. Let what we have studied here shape how we live this week. Amen.
