Summary
Kids learn that the first five books—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy—are called the Law or Torah, meaning God’s teaching/instruction for His people. They see that these books tell how God’s story begins and how He shows His people how to live, and they practice naming and finding them.
Verse
Psalm 1:2 - “…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Action idea:
Action idea:
- “Delight” – big smile, hands on cheeks.
- “Law of the Lord” – hands open like a book.
- “Day and night” – one hand up like sun, then head on hands like sleep.
Movement: “Five-Step Torah Path”
Create five floor spots in a row labeled:
Kids line up and step from book to book as you give one simple phrase at each:
Each time they walk the path, have them chant the names in order:
- Genesis – Exodus – Leviticus – Numbers – Deuteronomy
Kids line up and step from book to book as you give one simple phrase at each:
- Genesis – “God creates and calls a family.”
- Exodus – “God rescues from Egypt.”
- Leviticus – “God teaches how to worship.”
- Numbers – “God leads in the wilderness.”
- Deuteronomy – “God reminds His people of His law.”
Each time they walk the path, have them chant the names in order:
- “Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy – God’s Law, God’s teaching for His people.”
Lesson: “What Is the Law / Torah?” (Large group)
Names and meaning:
Story + instruction:
Connect to Jesus:
Tie to Psalm 1:
- Show the first five books in the Bible.
- Explain: “We call these the Law or the Torah. ‘Torah’ means teaching or instruction—God showing His people the way to live.”
Story + instruction:
- Genesis and Exodus: lots of story (creation, Abraham, Moses, rescue).
- Leviticus–Numbers–Deuteronomy: more rules and instructions for God’s people.
- Make it kid-level: “God saved His people, then showed them how to live as His special people.”
Connect to Jesus:
- Briefly note that Jesus knew and quoted the Law, and said He came to fulfill it, not throw it away.
- “These books are the foundation; Jesus builds on them.”
Tie to Psalm 1:
- “Delighting in God’s law” = loving God’s ways, not just “rules.”
- Ask: “What are some of God’s good ways we’ve heard already? (Love God, tell the truth, be kind, obey.)”
Small Groups: “Law Books Hands”
Visual to help them remember “five.”
1. Trace each child’s hand on a paper.
2. Write one book on each finger:
4. Then practice “hand recitation”: kids touch each finger and say the names in order.
If you want a Bible-navigation element: have them find Genesis and Deuteronomy again and mark them as “First Law book” and “Fifth Law book.”
1. Trace each child’s hand on a paper.
2. Write one book on each finger:
- Thumb – Genesis
- Index – Exodus
- Middle – Leviticus
- Ring – Numbers
- Pinky – Deuteronomy
4. Then practice “hand recitation”: kids touch each finger and say the names in order.
If you want a Bible-navigation element: have them find Genesis and Deuteronomy again and mark them as “First Law book” and “Fifth Law book.”
Closer Game: “Law Books Line‑Up Relay”
1. Prepare 5 large cards with the names of the books.
2. Split kids into two teams; give each team a shuffled set of the 5 cards.
3. On “Go,” teams race to put the cards in correct order on the floor.
4. When they’re done, everyone chants together:
Variation for more movement:
2. Split kids into two teams; give each team a shuffled set of the 5 cards.
3. On “Go,” teams race to put the cards in correct order on the floor.
4. When they’re done, everyone chants together:
- “Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy – the first five books, God’s Law!”
Variation for more movement:
- Place the five cards at one end of the room; kids run relay-style, grab one, bring it back, and work as a group to line them up correctly.