This lesson teaches children that God loves them and wants them to give Him their very best, not leftovers. It is built for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the discussion and one activity.
Big Idea
God loves us, so we should give Him our best, not our leftovers. When we show Him respect with our whole hearts, we honor the One who made us.
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)
Ask the children to put one hand on their heart and the other on their head, then stand up tall as they say the verse together. Then have them bow slightly and raise both arms, showing a respectful gift being offered to a king.
The Story: Malachi 1 for Kids
Long ago, God sent a messenger named Malachi to speak to His people, the people of Israel. God wanted them to know how much He loved them. He had chosen them and cared for them for a very long time. But the people had a hard time believing it, and they asked, “How have you loved us?”
God reminded them of two brothers, Jacob and Esau. He loved Jacob, and He let Esau’s family live in the land of Edom in the mountains. God’s love was never a matter of who deserved it most. It was God’s own choice, and He was faithful to His people.
The priests were supposed to lead the people in worshipping God at the altar. But they were bringing sick, blind and lame animals as offerings, which God had forbidden. God asked them, “Would you give this gift to your governor? Would he be pleased with you?” The priests had been treating God’s table as if it did not matter.
God said, “I am a great King, and My name is awesome among the nations.” He wanted the people to remember that He deserved their very best. He said He wished someone would shut the doors of the temple, because the empty offerings were not pleasing to Him.
God was not angry because He wanted to hurt them. He was calling His people back to honor Him with the best they had. He wanted their hearts to be right, not just their gifts.
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 telling His people that He loves them. Ask the children how it feels to know someone loves them, and explain that God’s love comes first, before anything we do.
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)
Show the children how God asked the priests to think about what they would offer a governor. Explain that God wants us to bring Him gifts that show how much we value Him, not things we would be ashamed to share.
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)
Point out that God’s name is great among all the nations, from sunrise to sunset. Explain that God is bigger than any one place, and everyone around the world can honor Him.
Talk About It
- What is one gift you have ever given someone, and how did you choose it?
- How do you think God felt when people gave Him sick animals instead of their best?
- What is something you can do this week to give God your best effort, like at school or at home?
- Why do you think God wanted the priests to think about how they would treat a governor?
- How does knowing God loves you change the way you want to give Him gifts?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Best Gift
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a gift they would give to God, something that shows their very best. Let them explain their drawing to the class, then hang the pictures on the wall as a reminder that God deserves our best.
Gift Parade Game
You will need a few household items like a toy, a book, a cup and a hat. Let one child be the king or queen and sit in a chair. The other children take turns walking up with a gift, and the king or queen decides whether it is a good gift to offer. Talk about why a best gift makes the ruler happy.
Best Effort Chart
You will need a sheet of paper, a pen, and stickers if you have them. Help each child write one way they will give God their best this week, such as helping at home or being kind to a sibling. Let them put a sticker on the chart each time they keep their promise, and pray about their goal together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s love comes first, and our worship is a response to His faithfulness. The priests were treating worship casually, and God called them to a sincere heart that matched His greatness. Adults can recognize that giving God our leftover time, attention or resources is the same problem.
With children, avoid overstating God’s anger or making them feel afraid of punishment. Keep the focus on God’s love and His desire for our best, rather than on the harsh language of the chapter. Let children understand that God is kind and patient with us.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for loving us first and always. Help us to give You our best in everything we do, with our hearts and our hands. Teach us to honor You every day, because You are a great King. Amen.
