In this lesson, children learn that God chose Aaron and his sons to serve Him as priests, and that He makes His people holy for His own purposes. Leviticus 8 is best for children aged 5 to 11, and the full lesson takes about 20 to 30 minutes if you read the story, do one activity, and close in prayer.
Big Idea
God sets apart special people for special jobs, and He makes them clean and ready to serve Him. Everyone who belongs to God can be set apart to love and serve Him.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 8:36
Aaron and his sons did all the things which the LORD commanded by Moses.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are receiving a gift. Then slowly lift them above your head as you say the words together. Repeat the motion twice so the children can feel the rhythm of obeying God.
The Story: Leviticus 8 for Kids
God spoke to Moses and told him to gather everyone at the door of the Tent of Meeting. This was a special tent where God met with His people. Moses also brought special clothes, oil, animals, and bread, because God had a plan for Aaron and his sons. Everyone came together to watch.
Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water to make them clean. Then he dressed Aaron in a long coat, a sash, a robe, and a beautiful vest called the ephod. He put a shiny breastplate on Aaron’s chest and a turban on his head with a golden plate in front. Each piece of clothing showed that Aaron was set apart for God’s work.
Moses poured special oil on the tent, on the altar, and on Aaron’s head. The oil showed that these things now belonged to God alone. Moses also dressed Aaron’s sons and put special clothes on them too. Each step was done just as God had told Moses to do it.
Next, Moses offered a bull and two rams to God. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the animals’ heads, which showed that they were giving these gifts to God. Moses then put blood on the ears, thumbs, and toes of Aaron and his sons, a sign that God had made them ready to serve Him with their whole selves.
After that, Moses told Aaron and his sons, “You must stay at the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days.” They did what God asked. They trusted God’s words, and they obeyed Him every single day.
Read It Together
Leviticus 8:1-4
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; 3 and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting.” 4 Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first, and Moses listened and obeyed right away. Ask the children to notice that the whole congregation came together to see what God was doing.
Leviticus 8:12
He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
(WEB)
Show the children how the oil was poured on Aaron’s head to mark him as special for God. Explain that anointing means God is choosing someone and setting them apart for a purpose.
Talk About It
- What did God want Aaron and his sons to do for Him, and why do you think that job was important?
- Why do you think Moses washed Aaron and his sons before they put on their special clothes?
- What is something you could do this week to show that you belong to God?
- How did Aaron and his sons show that they trusted and obeyed God, even when the instructions were long?
- What kinds of jobs do you think God has for children in your church, your home, or your school?
Activity Ideas
Paint a Priest’s Breastplate
You will need paper plates, markers or crayons, glue, and bits of colored paper or foil. Ask the children to draw or glue a shiny square shape on a plate to look like Aaron’s breastplate. Let them decorate it with stripes, dots, or stars, and talk about how each piece of clothing showed that Aaron belonged to God.
Set Apart Freeze Game
Clear a space in the room and tell the children to move freely like they are walking around the camp. When you call out “Set apart!”, they must freeze in a strong, still pose, like a statue standing for God. Play a few rounds and talk about how God sets His people apart for special work.
Oil Your Heart Card
You will need index cards, crayons, and a dab of cooking oil. Have each child draw a picture of one way they can serve God at home, such as helping a sibling or saying thank you. Let them rub a tiny bit of oil on one corner of the card, and explain that the oil reminds them God wants all of their life.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Leviticus 8 shows how God prepared Aaron and his sons to serve as priests in the tabernacle, through washing, clothing, anointing, and sacrifice. The chapter points forward to the holiness God requires and to the need for a mediator between God and people, a theme the New Testament later develops in the work of Christ.
Avoid overstating to children the details of the sacrifices, the blood rituals, or the precise meaning of the Urim and Thummim, since the text itself does not fully explain them. Keep the focus on God choosing, cleansing, and setting people apart for His service.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for choosing us and making us clean. Help us to listen to You like Moses did and to obey You like Aaron and his sons. Set us apart for Your good work every day, and help us love You with all we have. Amen.
