Unit 5, Session 4
Dear families,
God’s levitical commands for atonement emphasize the gravity of people’s sin, as well as His graciousness to redeem their trespasses. Though our modern-day context seems so far removed from this sacrificial system, these guidelines from Scripture foreshadow the great, eternal sacrifice on which we place our hope: Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Why did God enact so many requirements for worship and sacrifice? How does Jesus fit into each of these God-ordained regulations?
God created stipulations for His people’s sacrifices because He, as a holy God, cannot tolerate sin. There was a weightiness to all the high priest did throughout the year and on the Day of Atonement. God called the Israelite community to practice holiness in every area of their lives––from respecting their elders and upholding the Sabbath to fleeing idolatry, offering sacrifices, and caring for those in need. He revealed His character through these expectations of holiness; they were to be set apart and known in the world by how they conducted themselves, treated others, and demonstrated justice.
While God knew perfect obedience would be impossible for His people, He promised to bless them as they sought to live in obedience. What’s more, He swore to dwell among them! However, He also swore that their disobedience would bring consequences. He explained that His people did not have to walk on the path of destruction but were invited to walk the path of abundant life through a covenant relationship with Him. God offered them lives marked by repentance and remembrance of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He promised to never reject His people, destroy them, or break His promises.
We see the fulfillment of these promises through One who became God incarnate and lived in perfect obedience to God’s commands. While the priests offered sacrifices daily for themselves and others, Jesus provided an eternal sacrifice to settle the debts of God’s people for all time. His righteousness is counted to us when we place faith in Him. Lead the kids in your home to see God’s kindness in providing forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. May you show them the true meaning of worship as you guide them to see God’s worthiness through today’s passage.
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
- Babies & Toddlers: God gave His one and only Son, Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins forever.
- Younger Preschool: God told His people to show they were sorry for their sins. The people could not pay for their sins, so God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay for their sins. Anyone who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and life with God forever.
- Older Preschool: God told the Israelites to sacrifice animals to show the forgiveness of sin. God gave His one and only Son, Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins forever.
- Kids: God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice animals to demonstrate the forgiveness and removal of sin. God gave His one and only Son, Jesus, as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins and made clean forever.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Younger Preschool: Why do we need to be saved? We are sinful and need Jesus to rescue us from sin.
- Older Preschool: Why do we need to be saved? We are sinful and need Jesus to rescue us from sin.
- Kids: Why do we need to be saved? People are sinful and cannot save themselves.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Babies & Toddlers: There is no one like the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:2
- Younger Preschool: There is no one holy like the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:2
- Older Preschool: There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides you! 1 Samuel 2:2
- Kids: There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2
** Next week: The People Grumbled (Numbers 11-12)
Imago Dei Church Kids Ministry 