Scripture: Leviticus 8-10
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn that the priests had to follow God’s rules for the Tabernacle exactly as they were given.
- Students will learn that God punished Nadab and Abihu for their disobedience.
- Students will learn that God wants us to follow His commands exactly as they were given.
- Students will participate in an activity to learn what happens when instructions aren’t followed exactly as given.
Guiding Question: Why is it important for us to follow God’s commands exactly as given?
Materials: mixing bowls, measuring spoons and cups, mixing spoons, brown sugar, margarine, salt, baking soda, vanilla, milk, flour, chocolate chips, recipe, tasting spoons.
Procedure: Review the story of Nadab and Adihu. Ask the students why they think God was so angry with Nadab and Abihu. Explain that although they used fire, it was not the exact fire God commanded them to use. God expected the priests to follow His commands for worship in the Tabernacle exactly as given. He was angry for their disobedience and the disrespect and rebellion it represented. Tell students God also has commands He expects us to obey exactly as He gave them to us in the Bible. There are often consequences when we only obey part of God’s commands (maybe not as dramatic as Nadab and Abihu’s). The consequences may be immediate, in the future or in eternity. (Note: forgiveness and grace are important but in this activity we want students to understand even partial disobedience can have negative consequences).
Have the students help you make no bake cookie dough. When it is time to add the flour tell students you don’t really like flour and think baking soda would be better. Substitute baking soda for flour in the recipe. Give each student the tiniest taste of the completed recipe. (Too much baking soda can cause tummy aches). Note that changing just one ingredient makes it taste terrible.
Have students work in small groups to make the recipe again – exactly as written. As the students enjoy the results, discuss how we often think changing one little part of God’s commands won’t matter. We might even think God would be okay with our disobedience if He “just understood”. Explain that God will always be wiser than us. Even if we don’t understand or agree with God’s commands, He still expects us to obey them exactly as written. Note again the negative consequences of disobeying only one little part of the recipe. Remind students even partial disobedience can have equally negative consequences.
No Bake Cookie Dough
¼ C packed brown sugar
2 T softened margarine
1/8 t salt
1/8 t vanilla
1 T milk
5 T all purpose flour
2 T chocolate chips
In bowl cream margarine and sugar together. Mix in each additional ingredient in the order given.
Additional Questions:
- What types of earthly consequences can even partial disobedience of God’s commands have?
Supplemental Activity: Have students find and study verses about lying in the Bible. Have them list possible earthly consequences of telling ‘half-truths”. Have them find a Bible stories and tell real life situations to use as examples. Have them share their findings with other students.