How to Teach Kids About Leviticus

Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, which appears in the Old Testament section of the Scriptures. This book is part of the law portion of the Bible and is commonly attributed to the authorship of Moses. Leviticus was written as a set of rules for the Israelites who were on their wilderness journey toward the Promised Land after being freed from the enslavement of the Egyptians. The key to teaching the book of Leviticus to children is to make it come alive through relevant examples, illustrations and activities.

Brainstorm with your students about various rules that they must follow at home or at school. Talk about rules that adults must follow as well, such as laws or workplace rules. Write these examples down on a board or easel as the kids offer them.

Ask the children why rules and laws are in place. Explain that the book of Leviticus is mostly about God's laws for the Israelites and that these laws were designed to protect his chosen people.

Show the children pictures of elements of Leviticus, such as the tabernacle or priestly clothing. If you have younger children, you can give them color printouts of these types of pictures.

Invite children to participate in a blindfold walk. If you have a group of kids, separate them into pairs. Blindfold one child and have the other child act as a guide as the blindfolded individuals navigate a room or area outdoors. Allow each person in the pair to have a turn being blindfolded and each to have a turn as the guide. Once the walk is finished, gather back together to discuss how it felt to wander and how it felt to be guided. Talk about how the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness and God's rules were a way to find needed guidance.

Teach children the Bible verse, "I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy," which comes from Leviticus 11:45. Explain that God desires for us to be holy for our own good and protection.