June 13, 2021 – Leviticus 8 – 10

Lesson Date: June 13, 2021

Focal Scripture Passage: Leviticus 8:1-15, 22-23; 30-35; 9:6, 23-24; 10:1-2

AIM: To lead students to discover the requirements and responsibilities of Old Testament Jewish priests, and to thank the Lord for making them priests to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Before class: Read the notes on Leviticus 8 – 10 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Locate and print a picture of a Jewish high priest and a picture of a catholic priest. Bring a mirror to class. Write or print the following verse references on index cards or small slips of paper: Romans 5:2; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6. Enlist volunteers to look up the verses and be prepared to read them to the class when called upon.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to the picture of a Jewish high priest. Ask: “Who is this a picture of?” (an ancient Jewish high priest). Next, direct the students’ attention to the picture of the catholic priest. Ask: “Who is this a picture of?” (a Catholic priest).

Ask: “What image comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘priest’? Is it an image like one of these pictures?” After some responses, tell the class that by definition a priest is a person who has access to God, intercedes between God and man, and offers sacrifices to God. Hold the mirror up so the students see themselves. Ask: “Does your own face come to mind when you think of the word priest?”

Write the words, “Requirements and Responsibilities” across the top of the marker board or chalkboard. Below that heading draw a vertical line to create two columns. At the top of the left column write “Old Testament Priests.” Tell the class in today’s lesson we are going to discover some of the requirements and responsibilities of Old Testament Jewish priests.

Write the words, “Christians – New Testament Priests” at the top of the right column. Explain that the Bible says God has made Christians to be priests of God through Jesus Christ.

Tell the students the title of today’s lesson from Leviticus 8 – 10 is Are You a Priest? As we study this lesson about the requirements and responsibilities of Old testament priests, we will also consider the requirements and responsibilities believers have in that role.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   1. Remind the students that in the book of Exodus God freed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt (locate on the Map of Egypt, Sinai, and Canaan).
   2. God then led them to Mount Sinai (locate on the Map of Egypt, Sinai, and Canaan), where He gave them His laws.
   3. Following God’s instructions, Moses led the people to construct the Tabernacle and make clothing for the priests.
   4. Ask: “What was last Sunday’s lesson about?” (the various types of sacrifices and offerings God required them to bring).
2. The Priests Were Consecrated.
   5. Ask a volunteer to read Leviticus 8:1-5.
   6. Ask: “Who spoke to Moses?” (the Lord).
   7. Ask: “Who did He tell Moses to bring to the Tabernacle?” (Aaron and his sons).
   8. Ask: “What other items was he supposed to bring?” (the priestly garments, the anointing oil, a bullock, two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread).
   9. Ask: “Who else was supposed to gather to watch this event?” (all the people).
   10. Tell the class Moses did everything just as God commanded.
   11. Ask: “What did Moses tell the people?” (they were about to do what God commanded).
   12. Read Leviticus 8:6-13.
   13. Explain the following:
       • In verse 6, Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water, ceremonially cleansing them for their service to God.
       • In verses 7-9, Moses put the beautiful and elaborate high priestly garments on Aaron.
   14. Ask: “What did Moses do with the anointing oil in verses 10-12?” (he sprinkled it on the Tabernacle and all its furnishings, the altar and all its vessels, and the laver; he poured it on Aaron’s head to anoint and sanctify him).
   15. Tell the class verse 13 says Moses dressed Aaron’s sons in their priestly garments.
   16. Ask a volunteer to read Leviticus 8:14-15.
   17. Tell the students Moses brought forth the bullock for the sin offering (Lev. 4)
   18. Ask: “What did Aaron and his sons do?” (put their hands on its head, symbolically transferring their sin to the animal).
   19. Explain the following:
       • Moses killed the bullock and put some of the animal’s blood on the horns of the altar of burnt offering.
       • He poured the rest of the blood out at the base of the altar.
       • Verses 16-21 explain that part of the bullock was burned on the altar, but the rest was burned outside the camp (as was the practice for a sin offering).
       • Next, Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram for the burnt offering (Lev. 1).
       • Moses then killed the ram, after which he sprinkled its blood on the altar and burned the entire animal.
   20. Ask a volunteer to read Leviticus 8:22-23.
   21. Tell the students the next thing Moses did was bring forth the ram of consecration. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head and Moses killed it.
   22. Ask: “What did Moses do with its blood?” (put some on Aaron’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot).
   23. Tell the class that Moses did the same thing to Aaron’s sons.
   24. Explain that Moses then put some parts of the animal and some bread in the hands of Aaron and his sons, who held them up before the Lord as a wave offering.
   25. Read Leviticus 8:30-36.
   26. Ask: “What did Moses do with the anointing oil?” (sprinkled it on Aaron and his high priestly garments, and on Aaron’s sons and their priestly garments).
   27. Explain the following:
       • These offerings and rituals sanctified Aaron, his sons, and all their garments.
       • The entire process of consecrating the priests lasted seven days (Ex. 29:35).
       • They followed the same ritual every day for seven days to make atonement for Aaron and his sons (Ex. 29:36-37).
       • The priests were not allowed to leave the Tabernacle during those seven days. If they violated any of God’s commands, they would die.
       • Aaron and his sons did everything as the Lord commanded through Moses.
   28. Summarize: Through elaborate, complicated, and lengthy rituals, Moses led the Israelites to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests unto God.
3. The Blessing of Obedience.
   1. Tell the class that on the eighth day – the day after the seven-day ritual of consecrating the priests – God required more offerings for the priests and for the people.
   2. Ask a volunteer to read Leviticus 9:6.
   3. Ask: “What did Moses promise they would see if they did exactly what God said?” (the glory of the Lord).
   4. Ask a volunteer to read Leviticus 9:23-24.
   5. Ask: “What happened when they did everything exactly as God required?” (the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and the fire of the Lord miraculously came out and consumed the burnt offering).
   6. Ask: “How did the people react?” (they fell on their faces out of fear and awe).
   7. Summarize: When the people consecrated the priests and brought the offerings exactly as God commanded, they were blessed with a visible manifestation of God’s glory.
4. The Cost of Disobedience.
   1. Tell the class that it is always best to obey God and experience His blessings.
   2. Ask: “Do people always obey God?” (no).
   3. Read Leviticus 10:1-2.
   4. Tell the students that Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s oldest sons, offered fire and incense to the Lord.
   5. Ask: “Did God command them to do this?” (no).
   6. Explain the following:
      • This may seem like very harsh punishment, but Nadab and Abihu clearly disobeyed God by casually doing what they wanted instead of what God commanded.
      • God killed them on the spot.
      • Just as previously the fire miraculously came forth and consumed the burnt offering (Lev. 9:24), now the fire came forth and killed the two disobedient priests.
      • Serving as a priest is serious business. Priests must obey God.
   7. Summarize: By instantly killing Nadab and Abihu, God vividly showed the people the serious cost of disobedience.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the students’ attention to the heading and two columns on the board. Write the following in the “Old Testament Priests” column, reminding the class about these facts concerning Old Testament priests:

• They were sons of Aaron
• They had to be cleansed
• They had to wear the proper garments
• They went through a lengthy consecration ritual
• They offered sacrifices to God
• They had to obey God

Ask the previously enlisted volunteers to read Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; and Revelation 20:6. Tell the class the Bible clearly and repeatedly states that God has made Christians priests of God through Jesus Christ. While that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice animals on an altar like the ancient priests did, it does mean that we have special access to God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Tell the students that in the Old Testament only the priests offered sacrifices to God and had access to Him at the Tabernacle, but in the New Testament only Christians enjoy direct access to God. Ask the previously enlisted volunteers to read Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; and Ephesians 3:12. Stress the fact that only through Christ can we have access to God.

Remind the students that Old Testament priests offered animal sacrifices to God. Ask: “Since we no longer sacrifice animals, what sacrifices are we to bring God?” Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Romans 12:1, which says we are to give our bodies to God as living sacrifices. Ask: “What do you think it means to give our bodies as living sacrifices?” (to yield control of ourselves to God; to live for Him and be His instruments).

Direct the class’ attention to the board again. Write the following in the “Christians – New Testament Priests” column:

• Sons of God (through Jesus Christ)
• Cleansing (initially done by Jesus)
• Proper garment (a robe of righteousness, provided by Jesus)
• Instant consecration (accomplished by Jesus)
• Offer ourselves to God
• Obey God

Tell the students that Jesus does the first four of those things at the moment of our salvation, but we are responsible to do the last two. When we obey we will be blessed, but if we disobey we will suffer the consequences.

Tell the students to thank God for making them priests of God through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. Encourage them to present their bodies to God as living sacrifices. Urge any who have never trusted Jesus for salvation to do so as you pray. Lead a closing prayer of thanksgiving and commitment.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Romans 12:1. Urge them to submit their bodies as living sacrifices to God every day this week.