God requires payment for sin. Therefore, we should repent and draw near to Him. For this lesson, it may be helpful for you to review the below summary of the various sacrifices outlined in the first seven chapters of Leviticus. You can also check out a demonstration of the upcoming Sunday School lesson about the sacrificial system. This week, we are also helping children to memorize Galatians 2:20.
Burnt Offerings – Leviticus 1
- What was offered?
- Male cattle, sheep, or goats without blemish, Turtledoves or pigeons.
- What was the purpose of the offering?
- What was the sacrifice intended to symbolize?
- The complete burning of the animal symbolized the worshiper’s complete submission.
- God’s complete acceptance.
- The transfer of guilt from the worshiper to the animal.
- What part did the worshiper play in making the sacrifice?
- The worshiper placed his hand on the head of the bull, sheep or goat and committed the killing.
- What did this sacrifice reveal about a holy God’s relationship with sinful men?
- Communion with God was only possible through sacrifice.
- In what ways has the death of Christ altered this sacrifice?
- Our sins were transferred to Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 – He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
- 1 Peter 3:18 – For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God
- The blood of Christ was offered as a sufficient payment—once for all time and for all people—to provide for our communion with God.
- Our sins were transferred to Christ.
- What is the application for us? What should our understanding of this sacrifice motivate us to do?
- Demonstrate that you value the sacrifice Christ made on your behalf by striving to live a holy life to maintain good fellowship with God.
- Eagerly offer sincere and sacrificial service to the Lord.
Grain Offerings – Leviticus 2
- What was offered?
- Flour with oil and frankincense, without leaven or honey and seasoned with salt.
- A first fruits offering would include full, green heads of grain
- What was the purpose of the offering?
- To recognize and thank God for His provision.
- To demonstrate one’s dedication to the Lord.
- What was the sacrifice intended to symbolize?
- The presence of salt in the offering may symbolize the commitment to keeping the covenant with God.
- Man’s dependence on the Lord.
- What part did the worshiper play in making the sacrifice?
- The worshiper presented it to the priests
- What did this sacrifice reveal about a holy God’s relationship with sinful men?
- God is the giver of all that we have and enjoy.
- Man is dependent upon God for everything.
- In what ways has the death of Christ altered this sacrifice?
- We no longer go through a mediator to offer our thanks to God.
- We are able to offer him our praise directly.
- What is the application for us? What should our understanding of this sacrifice motivate us to do?
- Thank God for His manifest goodness toward us in all that He has provided.
- Offer our lives to God in gratitude for what He has done for us.
Peace Offerings – Leviticus 3
- What was offered?
- Male or female cattle, sheep, or goats without blemish
- What was the purpose of the offering?
- To celebrate one’s relationship with God
- To fulfill a vow
- To demonstrate one’s love for God
- What was the sacrifice intended to symbolize?
- Unhindered fellowship with God brings joy and peace
- What part did the worshiper play in making the sacrifice?
- The worshiper placed his hand on the head of the bull, sheep or goat and committed the killing.
- The worshiper could enjoy a feast following the sacrifice to celebrate his relationship with God.
- What did this sacrifice reveal about a holy God’s relationship with sinful men?
- Worshipers can enjoy delightful fellowship with God as a result of substitutionary death.
- In what ways has the death of Christ altered this sacrifice?
- Christ’s death was sufficient to secure eternal fellowship with God.
- The shedding of blood is no longer used to celebrate our relationship with God.
- Celebration of our fellowship with God is offered through praise, prayer, and service.
- What is the application for us? What should our understanding of this sacrifice motivate us to do?
- Spend time developing and enjoying your relationship with God through Bible study, prayer, and private worship
- Participate wholeheartedly in corporate worship
- Serve God passionately
Sin Offerings – Leviticus 4-5
- What was offered?
- Young bull without blemish
- Young male or female goat without blemish
- Female lamb without blemish
- Two turtledoves or young pigeons
- Omer (one-tenth an ephah) of fine flour. This equaled roughly 3.64 liters.
- What was the purpose of the offering?
- To reconcile a relationship with God that had been interrupted by unintentional sin
- To atonement for specific sins
- What was the sacrifice intended to symbolize?
- The transfer of sin to the animal sacrificed.
- Reconciliation between the lawbreaker and the Lawgiver.
- What part did the worshiper play in making the sacrifice?
- The worshiper placed his hand on the head of the bull, sheep or goat and committed the killing.
- The worshiper presented the bird or grain to the priests.
- What did this sacrifice reveal about a holy God’s relationship with sinful men?
- Only death could lead to forgiveness.
- In what ways has the death of Christ altered this sacrifice?
- Christ’s death was sufficient to secure eternal fellowship with God.
- God is still pleased with the sacrifice of His Son.
- The believer can enjoy restoration with God not by re-sacrificing Christ (who died once for all), but by trusting that Christ was sacrificed for a believer’s sin.
- What is the application for us? What should our understanding of this sacrifice motivate us to do?
- Trust Christ as one’s Savior.
- Ask God for the forgiveness of your sins regularly.