This lesson teaches children that God wants to bless His people and keep them close, and that we can give our whole selves to Him. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with time for a short story, a few verses, a craft, and a prayer.
Big Idea
God loves to bless His people. He keeps us, shines His face on us, and gives us peace, and we can belong to Him in special ways.
Memory Verse
Numbers 6:24
‘The LORD bless you, and keep you.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands over their faces like a little roof, then slowly open their arms wide on the words “bless you and keep you.” Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time, until the whole room is whispering it together.
The Story: Numbers 6 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to Moses in the desert and gave him special instructions for the people of Israel. Some people wanted to make a special promise to belong to God in a unique way. This promise was called a Nazirite vow, and it meant setting themselves apart just for God.
A person who made this vow did not drink wine or eat grapes, and they did not cut their hair while the promise lasted. It was a way of showing that their whole life belonged to the Lord. Imagine a young man who wanted to show God how much he loved Him. He would let his hair grow long as a sign of his promise.
Sometimes a person touched something dead, and that made them unclean for a while. God gave clear rules for how they could be made clean again. They shaved their heads, brought gifts to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and started their promise over again. God cared about each step.
When the promise was finished, the person brought offerings to God and thanked Him. Then God spoke to Moses about a blessing for Aaron and his sons to say over the people. Aaron was told, “This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.” The words were simple, and they came straight from God’s heart.
God said that when the priests blessed the people, He would put His name on them and bless them Himself. The blessing was not just a nice wish. It was God promising to be near His people and to care for them every day.
Read It Together
Numbers 6:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: ‘When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD…
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first, and that He invited people to make a special promise to Him. Ask the children what it means to belong to someone, and how a promise can show that.
Numbers 6:7
He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die; because his separation to God is on his head.
(WEB)
Explain that this verse shows the vow was the most important thing in that person’s life, so it came before everything else. Help the children name something they love most, and talk about how God wants to be first in our hearts.
Numbers 6:25-26
25 The LORD make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. 26 The LORD lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’
(WEB)
Point to the words about God’s face shining and giving peace. Explain that a face that shines with kindness is a picture of someone who is glad to see you. Ask children what a happy face looks like at home.
Talk About It
- What do you think it felt like for someone to make a special promise to God?
- Why do you think God cared about every small step in the Nazirite vow?
- What are some ways you can show God that He is first in your life?
- Which words of the blessing would you most like to hear from someone you love, and why?
- How does it make you feel to know that God wants to keep you safe and close to Him?
Activity Ideas
Blessing Hands Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child trace their own hand on the paper, then write the words “The Lord bless you and keep you” inside the outline. Let them decorate the hand with bright colors and tape it to the fridge or a bedroom door as a reminder.
Shine Your Face Game
You will need a small open space and a few household items for targets, such as pillows or cups. Have the children stand in a circle, and one child walks to the center and shines a big smile at each person. Players who receive the smile cheer, and then take a turn. Afterward, talk about how a smile can show God’s kindness.
Peace Stone Take-Home
You will need smooth stones or pebbles, a marker, and a small bag for each child. Ask each child to write the word “Peace” on a stone and decorate it lightly. Then encourage them to keep it in a pocket or on a bedside table, and to pray the blessing over their family when they hold it.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s blessing flows from His own character, not from our performance. The Nazirite vow reflects a serious, voluntary devotion to God, and the closing blessing reveals God’s desire to keep His people, shine His face upon them, and give them peace. Adults can see how this points toward the gift of God’s presence throughout Scripture.
With children, avoid overstating the specific rules of the Nazirite vow, such as the hair and wine restrictions, as a model every believer must follow today. Keep the focus on God’s kindness, His faithfulness, and the joy of belonging to Him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for blessing us and keeping us close to You. Help us to belong to You with our whole hearts, every day. Let Your face shine on us, and give us peace in our homes and in our hearts. Amen.
