This lesson teaches children that God gave His people special offerings to bring back to Him, and that thankful gifts are a way of saying thank you to God. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves it when we bring Him our thank-you gifts, and He shares His good things with the people who serve Him.
Memory Verse
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)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are carrying a gift. Then lift your hands up high and say “Thank You, God!” Let the motion remind you that thankful gifts are brought with open hands.
The Story: Leviticus 7 for Kids
Long ago, God gave His people a set of rules for different kinds of offerings. These offerings were gifts that people brought to the tent where they worshiped God. Each gift had its own special purpose, and God gave the instructions to Moses so everyone would know what to do.
One kind of offering was a thank-you gift, called a peace offering. A person who wanted to thank God for something good would bring an animal to the tent. The priest, who helped the people worship, would receive part of the gift, and the person who brought it would get to share a meal with family and friends.
God gave clear rules about the meal. The meat had to be eaten the same day or the next day. If any was left over until the third day, it had to be burned up. God wanted His people to be careful and respectful with the gifts they gave Him.
God also told His people that some things were not for eating at all. He said they must not eat the fat of the animals, and they must not eat the blood. Moses told the people, “Don’t eat it.” God wanted His people to remember that the blood and the fat belonged to Him.
God said that the priests would have a special share of the gifts. The right thigh and the breast of the offering were given to Aaron and his sons. God gave them this portion forever, so they could serve Him and have what they needed.
Moses listened carefully to everything God said and told the people. The rules were given in the wilderness of Sinai, so that God’s people would know how to honor Him in every part of their lives.
Read It Together
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)
Point out that the peace offering was a gift given because someone wanted to thank God. Ask the children what they would like to thank God for today.
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)
Show the children that the meat was to be eaten on the same day. Explain that God wanted His people to honor Him fully and not keep His gifts in a careless way.
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)
Point out that God gave the priests a special share of the offerings. Explain that God takes care of the people who serve Him, and this shows that He is generous and faithful.
Talk About It
- What is one good thing God has given you that you could say thank you for?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to bring Him gifts?
- How did God take care of the priests who served at the tent?
- What is one way you can show God thanks during your week?
- Why do you think God wanted His people to be careful with the gifts they brought?
Activity Ideas
Thank-You Gift Box Craft
You will need a small cardboard box, construction paper, markers, and tape. Have each child decorate the outside of the box with pictures of things they are thankful for. Inside, they can place small notes that say “Thank You, God” for each item. Let the children take turns sharing one thing from their box with the class.
Peace Offering Passing Game
You will need a small soft ball or a rolled-up sock, and a few chairs in a circle. Have the children sit in a circle and pass the ball around while you play some music. When the music stops, the child holding the ball names one thing they are thankful for and then gives thanks to God out loud. Keep playing until everyone has had a turn.
Thankful Hands Take-Home Card
You will need a sheet of paper and a pencil or crayons for each child. Have the children trace their hand on the paper and write one thing they are thankful for in each finger space. Encourage them to take the card home and share it with their family at dinner. Remind them that giving thanks is a gift they can bring to God every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cared deeply about how His people approached Him in worship. The offerings were a way of acknowledging His holiness, thanking Him for His provision, and sharing that provision with those who served. The instructions reveal God’s concern for order, reverence, and faithfulness in the life of the community.
Avoid overstating to children the detailed rules about fat, blood, and the timing of meals. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God receives thankful gifts and cares for those who serve Him. Save the deeper questions about the sacrificial system for older students or later conversations.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for all the good gifts You give us every day. Help us remember to bring our thank-you hearts to You. Thank You for taking care of the people who serve You. Help us to honor You in everything we do. Amen.
