LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Leviticus 10:1-3, we encounter a sobering moment in Israel’s history that reveals just how seriously God takes His own holiness. The Israelites had been set apart as a people who belonged to the one true God, and God had given extremely detailed instructions for how worship was to be carried out, from the design of the Tabernacle, to the clothing of the priests, to the exact manner in which sacrifices were to be offered. All of these careful instructions pointed to a single, magnificent truth: God is holy, completely set apart, perfect, and unlike anything or anyone else in creation. When God’s glorious presence appeared as fire in the Tabernacle and consumed the offerings on the altar, the people fell on their faces in reverent awe. It was a defining moment of worship that declared God’s majesty to everyone present.
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu were ordained priests, men who had been specifically chosen and trained to lead God’s people in worship. Yet in the middle of this sacred moment, they chose to offer fire before the Lord that He had not commanded. Rather than honoring the holy God who had just revealed Himself so powerfully, they brought their own version of worship, on their own terms, in their own way. God’s response was swift and severe: His fire went out and consumed them. This was not a story of a God who is cruel, but of a God who is perfectly holy and who cannot be approached carelessly or on human terms alone. For young children, the takeaway is God is special above everything and everyone, and we show we love Him by honoring and respecting Him the way He asks us to.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00–6:15 | God is Holy Flame Color Painting
Items Needed
- Pre-printed painting page (on cardstock)
- Red/orange/yellow paint
- Paint Brushes
- Smocks
As children paint, leaders walk around asking questions like, “Can you make your fire bigger and brighter? Did you know that in our story tonight, God showed the people He was holy by sending a HUGE fire, so big that everyone fell down on the ground!” Point to the words at the top of the page and say, “Your painting says GOD IS HOLY. That’s our big word tonight, and it means God is so special and so perfect that nobody is like Him!”
BIBLE STORY 6:15–6:25
Question 1: Where is this story found in the Bible? (Leviticus)
Question 2: Is Leviticus in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Old Testament)
Object Lesson Items Needed: One large candle (battery-operated or real, teacher’s discretion), 2–3 matchsticks or small birthday candles.
Question 1: Where Is This Story Found In The Bible? (Leviticus!) Question 2: Is Leviticus In The Old Testament Or The New Testament? (Old Testament! Give Yourself A Big Thumbs Up!)
Object Lesson Items Needed: One Large Candle (Battery-Operated Or Real, Teacher’s Discretion), 2-3 Matchsticks Or Small Birthday Candles
Today we’re going to learn about GOD!
Can you say GOD? [Wait For Response, “GOD!”]
A long, long time ago, God had a very special group of people called the Israelites. They were God’s very special people. God loved them SO much. And God wanted them to know something very, very important about Him.
He wanted them to know He was… HOLY.
Can you say HOLY? [Wait, “HOLY!”]
Holy means God is SO special, SO perfect, SO amazing… that there is NOBODY like Him. Nobody!
Now, God had a special house called the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was like a big tent where God would meet with His people. And God told the people EXACTLY how to come to Him, because He is holy and we need to treat Him in a special, respectful way.
God had some special helpers called priests! Can you say priests? [Wait, “Priests!”]
Two of the priests were brothers named Nadab and Abihu. They had ONE job. Worship God the right way! That was their special job.
[Light The Large Candle Or Hold It Up]
One day, something AMAZING happened. God showed everyone He was there. He sent a big, beautiful, holy fire!
THIS is like God’s holy fire! Look how bright and beautiful it is!
Everyone saw it and fell DOWN on the ground! They were so amazed by God! So in awe… that means SO surprised and SO impressed!
But then Nadab and Abihu had an idea. They thought, Let’s make OUR OWN fire!
[Hold Up A Matchstick Or Small Birthday Candle]
They thought their little fire was just as special as GOD’S fire. Do you think that’s true? [Wait For Response, “No!”]
That’s right! Look at this tiny little match next to God’s big beautiful candle.
[Hold The Tiny Candle Or Match Next To The Big Candle]
Which one is bigger? [Wait, “God’s!”]
Which one is more special? [Wait, “God’s!”]
NOTHING is as big and special as God. Nothing!
[Speak Gently And Carefully]
When Nadab and Abihu brought their own fire… fire that God did not tell them to bring… God’s fire went out and it burned them up.
That is very sad. But friends, it teaches us something SO important.
[Point Up]
God is HOLY. We can’t just do whatever WE want when it comes to worshipping God. We have to love and respect Him the right way. HIS way.
Can everyone say our big word with me? GOD IS HOLY! [Wait, “GOD IS HOLY!”]
One more time, louder! [Wait, “GOD IS HOLY!”]
Theological Questions:
- What does the word “holy” mean when we talk about God?
- Why do you think it matters HOW we worship God, not just THAT we worship Him?
Life Application Questions:
- What is one way YOU can show God that He is special and important to you?
- Have you ever done something your own way instead of the right way? How did that feel?
Prayer: “Dear God, You are holy, and there is nobody like You. Help us to love You, respect You, and worship You the right way every single day. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25–6:35
PRAYER 6:35–6:45
Transition children to sit together on the floor in a circle for prayer time.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:45–6:55 | Flame Stomp
Memory Verse: “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?” Psalm 77:13
Items Needed:
- Flame shapes (one word of the verse written on each flame)
- Tape
Tape the flame shapes to the floor in order so the verse is laid out across the room. The class walks, stomps, jumps, or tiptoes from flame to flame while saying each word out loud together as they land on it. Repeat with marching, jumping, or tiptoeing to keep it fresh and exciting!
Optional: Handwrite the full verse on the flame and send home with each child to practice at home.
BIBLE CRAFT 6:55–7:10 | God is Holy Headband
Items Needed
- Flame Headband (Printed On Cardstock)
- Glue or Staples
- Red, Orange, and Yellow Markers (or Crayons)
Allow kids to color their headband. Assemble it. Let them wear them and remind them God is holy.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10–7:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat while watching the video.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Invisible Ink Reveal
Items Needed:
- White paper
- Lemon juice
- Cotton swabs
- Candle or lamp
Before class, use lemon juice and a cotton swab to write GOD IS HOLY on sheets of white paper and let them dry completely. The writing will be invisible. During class, carefully hold the paper near a warm candle flame, keeping it at a safe distance, and let kids watch the hidden words slowly appear as the heat reveals the message! Tell the kids, the words were always there, we just could not see them until the fire helped us. In our story tonight, God used fire to show the people something that was always true. He is holy. He was always holy. The fire just helped everyone see it!
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Leviticus 10:1-3 (ESV)
“Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.”‘ And Aaron held his peace.”
Psalm 77:13 (ESV)
“Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
TODAY’S KEY TAKEAWAY: God is Holy
What I Learned Today: Today we learned the word “holy”. Holy means God is so special, so perfect, and so amazing that nobody and nothing compares to Him. We heard the story of two priests named Nadab and Abihu, who decided to worship God their own way instead of God’s way. We learned that God is so holy we need to respect Him and come to Him the way He asks us to. The most important thing I learned today is that there is NO ONE as great as our God!
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- What does the word “holy” mean? (It means God is totally perfect, totally special, and completely set apart — there is no one like Him!)
- Where is today’s story found in the Bible? (Leviticus, in the Old Testament)
- Who were the two priests in our story today? (Nadab and Abihu)
- How did God show the people He was holy? (He sent a fire to the Tabernacle)
- What does our memory verse say about God? (“Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?” Psalm 77:13)
Life Application Questions:
- What is one way you can show God He is special and important to you this week? (Answers will vary: praying, singing, being kind, going to church)
- Nadab and Abihu did things their own way instead of God’s way. Can you think of a time you were supposed to follow the rules but did things your own way instead? (Answers will vary)
- How does it make you feel to know that God is so big, so holy, and so powerful and that He also loves YOU? (Answers will vary)
- What is one word you would use to describe God after learning today’s lesson? (Answers will vary: holy, big, special, powerful, amazing)
- How can our family worship God together at home this week? (Answers will vary: reading the Bible, singing, praying together, going to church)
Memory Verse: “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?” Psalm 77:13