Unit 6, Session 3: God Gave Rules for Sacrifice
Leviticus 1–27
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.
Adult Connection Point:
Leviticus tells us how God wanted to be worshiped. We need to recognize that everyone worships something. Jesus Christ is the only One worthy of worship (see Rev. 5:8-9). He is the only One worth bowing to. Every day, we are given a choice: Worship God or worship idols. Life or death. Will we worship the false desires of our own hearts (idols) or worship God as He wants to be worshiped, which is through His Son, Jesus?
Family Devotion:
Supplies Needed: Bible, paper, pencil
Tell your children to call out every rule they have to follow at home, school or church. Jot these rules down as they state them. Count the number of rules and assign each member of your family to read one of these verses: Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7,26.
Ask: What repeated phrase did you hear in these verses?
Say: God is holy and wants His people to be holy. Sin kept the people from approaching a Holy God. In Leviticus God gave rules to deal with the Israelites’ sins by requiring they sacrifice an animal for their sin. He required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. God was serious about the way to worship Him.
Read Hebrews 7:26-27.
Say: We too sin and must deal with sin before approaching our Holy God. But God provided a different way for us. We do not need to bring sacrifices because God provided one for us--Jesus. When Jesus went to the cross His blood was sufficient for all our sins for all times. When we trust Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, God forgives us. That is the only way to approach our Holy God.
Lead your family in a time of confession. Ask God to forgive you for any sins against your family members or others. Pray, and thank God you do not have to follow all the rules for sacrifice but can trust Jesus instead.
Unit 6, Session 4: Joshua and Caleb
Numbers 13:1–14:38
Christ Connection:
Even though Joshua was not perfect, he lived a life of obedience to God. Joshua was faithful and was going to lead the people into the promised land. His accomplishments point to Christ’s finished work on the cross—defeating Satan, setting people free from sin, and making the way into the promised land of eternity.
Adult Connection Point:
God judged His people through the exile (2 Chron. 36:15-21).
In his obedience Joshua led God’s people into the promised land, yet for all the great things Joshua did, he was not perfect and he died, pointing forward to someone greater than himself bringing God’s true rest. God’s people entered the promised land but were not perfect either. As a result of their idolatry, God judged the people and exiled them from the promised land. The people needed someone greater than themselves to be right with God. Jesus is that greater Someone who saves His people from their sin.
Family Devotion:
Supplies Needed: Bible, scavenger hunt list, backyard, paper, pencil
Create a list of nature items to find outdoors. Print two sheets and divide the family into two groups. Give an allotted time then start your hunt. When time is up, share what you found on the list and any other unique nature items found.
Read Numbers 13:1-2,26-33.
Ask: What were some things the scouts reported about the promised land?
Say: For 40 days the scouts searched the land, but only 2 believed they could conquer it--Caleb and Joshua. The other 10 gave a negative report so the people wept.
Read Numbers 14:5-9.
Say: Joshua stepped up as a leader that day and told the people to not be afraid, the Lord was with them. But the Israelites did not believe God or Joshua. Because of their disobedience God kept them in the wilderness for 40 years. Joshua later took over the leadership from Moses, conquering cities and the land. But even Joshua’s accomplishments could not free the Israelites or us. Only Jesus could do that by defeating sin on the cross. Only Jesus can lead us into the eternal promised land.
Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus to defeat Satan and provide forgiveness for the sin in your life. He is alive and able to save you from your sins today.
