This lesson teaches children that God loves His people and deserves their very best, and that is the sentence they can repeat at the dinner table. It works for children about 5 to 11 and takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and one activity.
Big Idea
God loves us, so we should give Him our best, not our leftovers. When we honor God, we show that He matters most in our hearts and in our actions every day.
Memory Verse
Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says the LORD of Armies to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like a bowl. Then they lift their hands toward the ceiling and bring them back down together, saying “Honor” each time they lower them. Repeat it three times until the motion and the word stick.
The Story: Malachi 1 for Kids
A long time ago, God sent a messenger named Malachi to speak to the people of Israel. God wanted them to know something important: He loved them very much. But the people were surprised and asked, “How have you loved us?” God reminded them that He had chosen Jacob, the family line that became their nation, even though Jacob had a twin brother named Esau.
Next, God spoke to the priests. Priests were the leaders who offered sacrifices to God on the altar, and God was not happy with how they were doing their job. They were bringing animals that were blind, lame, and sick to give to Him. God asked them a question that made them think. He said, “If you brought a gift like this to your governor, would he be pleased with you?”
God was not pleased because the people were giving Him their leftovers instead of their best. They acted as if the table of the Lord was not worth much. God told them that He is a great King, and His name is honored among all the nations. He wanted His people to honor Him in the same way.
God did not want the priests to keep giving sick and weak animals just to get rid of them. He said He wished someone would shut the doors of the temple so they would stop offering gifts that did not please Him. Then God gave a promise. He said that His name would be great among the nations, from the place the sun rises to the place it sets.
This chapter ends with a warning about cheating God. Some people had healthy animals in their flock but chose to give a broken one instead. God said that a person who does this is a deceiver, and He takes it seriously because He is the great King.
Read It Together
Malachi 1:2
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. Yet you say, “How have you loved us?” “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” says the LORD, “Yet I loved Jacob…
(WEB)
Point out that God begins by saying, “I have loved you.” Ask the children to notice that God’s love comes first, before He asks anything from His people. Explain that God’s love is the reason we want to give Him our best.
Malachi 1:8
When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says the LORD of Armies.
(WEB)
Read this verse slowly and ask children to think about the question God asked the priests. Help them see that God is asking us the same question today: would we give someone we respect a broken or worn-out gift? Keep the tone gentle and focused on understanding.
Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name is great among the nations,” says the LORD of Armies.
(WEB)
Show children that God’s name is great among all nations, and that people everywhere can honor Him. Point out that this verse reminds us God is bigger than any one place or family. It is a good moment to say that God is worthy of our praise wherever we are.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can show God that He is the most important person in your life?
- Why do you think the people wanted to give God the leftover animals instead of their best?
- How would you feel if someone gave you a broken toy as a birthday present?
- What is a gift you have given to someone that you were proud of, and why?
- What can you do this week to give God your best effort at school, at home, or with your friends?
Activity Ideas
Best Gift Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Ask each child to draw their favorite thing that they would give to God as a gift, such as a painting, a song, or a helpful act. Let them cut out the drawing and tape it to a card that says “My Best for God.” Encourage them to explain their picture to the group.
Honor Walk Game
You will need an open space and a few small items like pillows or cups. Set up a simple course with the items. Children take turns walking through it while carrying a cup of water very carefully, showing that they are giving their full attention and care. Ask them to think about how we carry God’s gifts with the same care.
Take-Home Gift Jar
You will need a clean jar, a marker, and small slips of paper. Write “Our Best for God” on the jar. Give each child a few slips to write or draw one good thing they did that week to honor God. They can place their slips in the jar and bring it back to share with the class. This helps families talk about giving God their best every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Malachi 1 shows that God’s love is the foundation of His relationship with His people, and that honoring Him is a response to that love. The priests’ failures remind us that worship is about the heart and not just the outward motions. Our giving, our time, and our attitudes all reveal how much we truly honor God.
Avoid overstating to children that God is angry or that bad things will happen to people who give Him something imperfect. The chapter is a call to sincere worship and gratitude, not a threat. Focus on God’s loving character and the joy of giving our best, rather than fear.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You for loving us first and for being great and good. Help us give You our best in everything we do, our words, our work, and our kindness. Teach us to honor You every day with hearts that are glad to serve You. Amen.
