Leviticus 1-27

Dear Parents, 

We started and ended Children’s Church with a review of what we learned so far from Genesis through the end of Exodus with the help of “What’s In The Bible?” Vol. 3.  (www.whatsinthebible.com) The first 15 minutes gave us a good summary and an introduction to the book of Leviticus which they were to begin studying in Sunday School.  

Last week in Sunday School, your children learned about the tabernacle, so we talked about what they had learned and we showed some slides of what the tabernacle might have looked like based on the detailed blueprints in the last chapters of Exodus. Hebrews chapters 9 and 10 also give a good description. We learned that God desired to dwell with the Israelites. He wanted to be with them. He told them to build a tabernacle where He could dwell with them. He wants to be with us too. We see that in the New Testament.

We always want to find Christ in our Old Testament lessons. We read the following verses. I encourage you to look them up and discuss with your children.

John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Galatians 2:20, and Hebrews 9-10

We learned from these verses that Jesus came to be the perfect and only sacrifice for our sins that would make us truly clean and forgiven and righteous for eternity. He wants to dwell with us and those of us who have trusted Jesus as our Savior become a living tabernacle for God. God dwells inside of us.

 He wants to be with us!!! He gave His life to be with us forever!!

The Sunday School lesson was a new one for most boys and girls. Recall the last time you sat and read the Book of Leviticus. What does it mean? Why did God give all these rules? God gave rules for sacrifice to show people how to worship Him and how to be forgiven of the sin they had committed. Why did God require a sacrifice of blood? Simply, God is holy and because of that His forgiveness requires a sacrifice. The Book of Romans teaches us that the penalty for sin is death. The sacrifice offered stood instead for the one who had sinned.

 The ultimate example of a substitution for sin is of course, Jesus Christ. Christ died on the cross for the sins of all. Christ died so that sinners wouldn’t have to die for their sin. The rules of Leviticus were given to help people know they could not live in right relationship with God apart from sacrifice. We today are free from following the rules of sacrifice because we trust in Jesus who perfectly obeyed the law. Our faith in Christ is what cleanses us from the sin in our lives.

 Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

  Bible Passage: Leviticus 1-27

Big Picture Question: Why did God require a blood sacrifice? Because God is holy, His forgiveness requires a payment for sin. Jesus made the ultimate payment for sin with His death on the cross.

 Key passage: “And God spoke all these words, saying,

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.”

            Exodus 20:1-17

 Christ Connection: The Book of Leviticus contains many rules for the Israelites, but we do not obey all the rules in Leviticus today because we trust Jesus, who obeyed the law perfectly for us. The Israelites had to make a blood sacrifice for their sin every year. Jesus sacrificed His blood on the cross to pay for our sin once and for all (Hebrews 7:26-27). When we trust in Christ, God forgives us of our sin.

 Family task: God gave routines for life and worship to teach people that He is holy and to help them recognize His Son (Christ) when He came. Leviticus teaches eternal truths using hands-on experiences. Parents teach their children skills for life beginning with simple experiences. Help your child practice steering a riding toy or bicycle, pedaling or walking it forward and backward. Write what each of you learned about steering or teaching.

Next week's lesson:  Numbers 13:1-14:38