Big Idea: Jesus is the ultimate atonement, so we can put our faith in Him.
Bible Basis: The Book of Leviticus
Key Verse: “Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2 (NIV)
OPENING PRAYER
God, thank you for giving us this opportunity to come together around your Word. As we pause from the struggles of this sinful world, help us focus on you, trust in your promises, and find peace in your incredible love for us. Strengthen our faith through your Word and keep us always focused on the ultimate gift of eternal life that you have given us through the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of the Book of Leviticus?
What did you learn about God from the Book of Leviticus?
For older kids:
What do you think the Book of Leviticus shows us about God?
How does the Day of Atonement remind you of what Jesus did for us?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer and tell Jesus how awesome He is.
Journal Station prompt: After hearing today’s story, what do you want to say to God? Write it down here.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Leviticus 16:1-10. Draw a picture of the story or write to God about your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: Draw a picture of Jesus on the cross. While you’re drawing, tell Jesus how thankful you are for the sacrifice He made.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Zoom Connect Activity
- Set-up: Print the “Zoom: Calendar” picture cards on 8½ x 11 cardstock paper and cut apart.
- Say: What did you think about this week of “Zoom”? Today. we zoomed in on a special day that happened every year in the nation of Israel. Let’s zoom in and out of a mystery picture. See if you can guess what it is.
- Directions: Keep the “Zoom: Calendar” pictures turned over until the appropriate time. Each card is numbered 1–4. When ready, turn over the first card. Ask what they think is pictured and why they think that. After everyone has shared, turn over the second card and repeat. Each card will zoom further out on the mystery picture making it easier to identify. Continue until all four cards have been turned over and the mystery picture is revealed. When finished, ask the following question:
- Question: Is there one day of the year that’s the most special to you? What is it and why?
+ Stay on Target (Application Activity)
- Say: In the Book of Leviticus, we learned about the Day of Atonement. Atonement means to “cover up.” The blood of the bull and goat atoned for or “covered up” the sins of the people. Whose blood atones for our sins now? (Take answer.) That’s right—Jesus is the ultimate atonement! We’re going to play a game right now that will remind us that we all have sins that need atoning.
- Directions: Place the printed target on the floor in the middle of the group and have all the participants sit about 3 feet away. Give each a penny. Tell them that the object of the game is for every kid to land their penny on the target in the same round. Count to 3 and have the kids flick their penny (as if a coin toss) into the air toward the target. Discourage the kids from leaning too far forward in order to make it easy. If younger kids struggle with flicking their penny, they can toss it. Inevitably, some or most of the pennies will miss the target. Have the kids retrieve their penny and prepare for the next round. Continue playing round after round until it becomes apparent that someone is always going to miss the target. When finished collect the pennies.
- Say: Did anyone hit the target every single time? (Kids respond.) We all miss the target sometimes. It’s the same with sin. No matter how hard we try to obey God, we all sin.
- Question: What are some ways that you have “missed the target” or sinned this week?
- Question:: Does knowing that your sins are atoned for or covered make you feel like it’s okay to sin more? Why or why not? (Answer: It shouldn’t! Read Romans 6:1-2).
- Question:: How can we show God that we’re thankful for His atonement through Jesus?
+ Stack 'Em High (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Set-up: Use a marker to write a portion of the Bible verse on the side of a plastic or paper cup. Divide the Bible verse among 8 different cups: “Jesus is the | atoning sacrifice | for our sins, | and not only | for ours | but also for the sins | of the world.” | 1 John 2:2.
- Directions: Have the kids place the 8 cups on the floor in order of the verse. For younger kids, you may need to assist. When the cups are in order, practice reading and reciting the verse as a group. When finished, mix the cups up. On “go,” have the kids race to stack the cups into a tower with one cup on top of the other in the order of the verse (beginning of the verse on bottom.) When stacking, alternate the cups upside down and right side up so that the like-sized ends are touching. If the tower falls, have the kids recite the entire verse from memory before beginning again. If the kids successfully build the whole tower, have them recite the verse, knock the tower over, then try again to see if they can build it even faster.
- Question: What do you think it means that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins? (Answer: When Jesus died on the cross, his blood covered the sins of the world so that we can have a friendship with God.)
+ Popsicle Prayers (Prayer Activity)
- Directions: Give everyone a Popsicle stick and some markers. Tell them to spend a minute or two writing their name on the stick and decorating it however they would like. When time is up, have the kids place their sticks in a plastic cup. Next, have the kids take turns pulling a stick out of the cup without looking and read the name aloud. If they happen to pull out their own stick, have them put it back and draw again. Have the kid whose name is on the stick share a prayer request. Everyone should listen carefully to the request, but encourage the person who drew the name to pay special attention. The person who drew the name will keep the stick in their pocket over the coming week and pray for that person every time they see or feel the stick. Continue taking turns until all of the sticks have been drawn. Finish by closing in a family prayer. When all the sticks have been drawn, tell the group they can pray for some of the things they shared. After opening the group in prayer, allow the kids time to pray aloud. When the kids are finished praying, close the group in one final prayer.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for all my sins. Continue to keep my faith strong through your Word. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the different accounts from Genesis that were mentioned as part of this week’s lesson:
Exodus 1-3 (Birth of Moses and the Burning Bush)
Exodus 7-11 (The 10 Plagues)
Exodus 13:17-14:31 (Crossing the Red Sea)
Exodus 15:22-17:7 (God miraculously provides for his people in the desert)
Exodus 20 (The Ten Commandments)
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!