In this lesson, children learn that God invited His people to come near to Him through sacrifices, and that He answered their worship with His glory and fire. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is holy and good, and He makes a way for His people to come close to Him. When we worship Him, He is pleased to answer us.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 9:6
Moses said, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded that you should do: and the LORD’s glory shall appear to you.”
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall with their arms stretched wide, then slowly lower them to their sides as they say “The glory of the LORD.” Repeat it together three times, making the motion each time, so the words and the movement stay linked in their minds.
The Story: Leviticus 9 for Kids
Eight days had passed since the priests began their work. Moses gathered Aaron, his sons, and the leaders of Israel in front of the Tent of Meeting. God had told them to bring special gifts. Aaron was going to offer sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of the people.
Moses told Aaron, “Take a calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.” Aaron obeyed. He brought the animals to the altar and offered them, just as God had commanded. Everyone watched carefully as each step was done.
Then Moses spoke to the whole crowd. He said, “Today the LORD is going to appear to you.” The people were excited and a little nervous. They knew God was near. Aaron prepared more offerings for the people, including goats, a calf, a lamb, a bull, and a ram.
Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting and came back out to bless the people too. Suddenly, God’s glory appeared to everyone. Fire came down from heaven and burned up the offering on the altar.
When the people saw the fire, they shouted with joy and fell on their faces in worship. They knew that God had accepted their gifts and was with them. It was a day they would never forget.
Read It Together
Leviticus 9:2
And he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without defect, and offer them before the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out that God told Aaron exactly which animals to bring. Explain that God’s people did not decide how to worship on their own, but they listened carefully to what He said and did what He asked.
Leviticus 9:23-24
23 Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the LORD’s glory appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from before the LORD, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
(WEB)
Ask the children to picture what happened when the glory of the LORD appeared. Show them that the people were not frightened into hiding but moved to shout and worship, because God had come near to bless them.
Leviticus 9:22
Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.
(WEB)
Point out that Aaron lifted his hands to bless the people. Explain that blessing means speaking good things over others, and that God’s priests were part of showing God’s kindness to His people.
Talk About It
- What did God want the people to do before they could come close to Him?
- How do you think the people felt when they saw the fire come down from heaven?
- Why do you think God wanted the sacrifices to be done exactly the way He said?
- Who did Aaron bless, and why do you think blessing others matters?
- What is one way we can show God that we want to worship Him today?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Altar with Fire
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple altar at the bottom of the page and then add flames rising from it. Encourage them to draw the people below, shouting and worshiping. Talk together about how the picture shows God’s glory coming to His people.
Priests and Offerings Game
You will need a small bag or basket and a few soft toys or rolled-up socks to act as animals. Choose one child to be Aaron and others to be the people. Have Aaron carry an “offering” to a spot in the room, then lift his hands and say a short blessing. Let everyone shout “Glory to God!” and then fall gently to the floor in worship before standing again.
Blessing Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a pen, and a few stickers. Have each child write or draw a short blessing for someone in their family, such as “God loves you” or “God is with you.” Decorate the card with stickers and help them place it somewhere the family will see it at home. Explain that this is one way we can bless others, just as Aaron blessed the people.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Leviticus 9 shows that approaching a holy God requires careful obedience and atonement for sin. The sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice of Christ, who makes it possible for us to come near to God. The chapter also shows God’s gracious response to worship, with His glory appearing and His acceptance made visible.
Be careful not to overstate the details of ancient sacrifices to children, or suggest that God wants us to offer animals today. Keep the focus on God’s holiness, His kindness in making a way to Himself, and the joy of worshiping Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are holy and good. Thank You for making a way for us to come close to You. Help us to worship You with our whole hearts, and to bless others as You have blessed us. Amen.
