Youth Lesson Plan: Exodus 35–40;Leviticus 1;4;16;19

THE OPENER (2–3 minutes)

Object lesson: a backpack. Bring a backpack and set it on a chair. Ask, “If you had to walk across a desert, what would you pack?” Let them call out answers for ten seconds. Then ask, “What if God said, ‘Pack a place.’ Not snacks. Not weapons. A place where I can meet you.”

Hold up the backpack and say, “Israel carried a tabernacle through the wilderness. God was teaching them how to carry holiness.”

Transition: Today’s chapters show two moves God makes with His people: He gathers willing offerings to build a holy place (Exodus 35–40), and He teaches them how forgiveness and holiness work through sacrifice and covenant living (Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19).

SCRIPTURE DEEP DIVE (12–15 minutes)

Have students open to Leviticus 19:2. Tell them to read it once silently, then answer, “What do you notice?” Let a few respond, then read it aloud:

“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

Ask: “If God’s goal is holiness, why start by building a tabernacle in Exodus?”

Now go to Exodus 35:5 and read it together. Invite them to listen for the kind of heart God wants.

“Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,” (Exodus 35:5)

Partner discussion for 45 seconds: “What does God care about more than the materials?” Bring them back and let them answer: “willing heart.”

Then read Exodus 36:5–7 as a class, because it is one of the funniest ‘good problems’ in scripture. Ask them to listen for what happens when a whole community goes all-in.

“And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.” (Exodus 36:5) “And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.” (Exodus 36:6) “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.” (Exodus 36:7)

Ask: “When do you see ‘too much generosity’ today?” Then: “What changes in a ward, a quorum, a class, or a family when people give with willing hearts?”

Shift to the purpose of the tabernacle. Read Exodus 40:34 and ask them to picture the moment.

“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34)

Ask: “What does God do after they build a holy place?” Let them say it: He comes.

Now connect holiness to forgiveness. Move to 3 Nephi 9:19–20, which the Come, Follow Me bundle uses to show what kind of sacrifice God asks of disciples now. Read aloud:

“And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost,” (3 Nephi 9:19) “And then will I receive you.” (3 Nephi 9:20)

Ask: “What might a ‘broken heart’ look like in a hallway at school, or in a text thread, or after you mess up?” Let a few answers come. Keep it concrete.

THE BIG IDEA (8–10 minutes)

Principle 1: God builds holiness with willing hearts, not forced hands. Exodus 35:5 ties offering to willingness. Ask: “What makes a heart willing?” Follow-up: “What makes it hard?” Let them wrestle. Some will say fear, pride, distraction, or feeling ‘not good enough.’ Hold space for that.

Principle 2: Holy places help us meet God, but holiness also follows us into regular life. God’s glory filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). Then Leviticus 19 takes holiness into everyday choices (Leviticus 19:2). Ask: “Why would God care about both a sacred space and daily living?” Let them connect it to how the temple and sacrament meeting strengthen discipleship for Monday.

If someone brings up temple ordinances or questions about worthiness, say gently: “This is sacred and personal, please speak with your bishop or refer to the temple recommend questions.” Keep the focus on what the scriptures in this lesson emphasize: God invites, cleanses, and changes hearts.

Principle 3: Jesus Christ makes forgiveness and holiness possible. The bundle explains that Israel’s sacrifices were meant to “point their minds, hearts, and lives toward the Savior,” and it quotes the Lord’s promise: “I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7). Read that line exactly as given in the bundle:

“I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7).

Ask: “How does that sentence change the pressure you put on yourself?” Let them answer. Then ask: “What would shift this week if you trusted that Christ can make you holy as you repent and keep trying?”

MIX IT UP – ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY (5–8 minutes)

Case study (whole class, no small groups): “The offering question.” Present this scenario aloud:

“A youth in your class is talented but tired. They feel like the Church always asks for more: more time, more effort, more goodness. They say, ‘I’m not giving anything else. I’m done.’”

Ask the class two questions, and write a few responses on the board:

1. “What would you say that connects to a scripture from today?” (Aim them toward Exodus 35:5, Exodus 36:5–7, 3 Nephi 9:19–20, D&C 60:7.)
2. “What would you do that helps without guilt-tripping them?”

If they start drifting into lectures, bring them back: “Try one sentence. Keep it kind. Keep it real.”

THE LANDING (3–4 minutes)

Return to the backpack. Say, “Israel carried boards, fabric, and sacred space through sand. God met them there (Exodus 40:34). Then He asked them to carry holiness into life (Leviticus 19:2).”

Invite them to try one simple offering this week, something that fits their life: come to the sacrament with a more honest prayer, apologize faster, or choose one private act of goodness that costs something small. Tie it to the promise of Christ’s acceptance:

“And then will I receive you.” (3 Nephi 9:20)

Bear testimony in a natural way: Jesus Christ receives people who come with broken hearts and contrite spirits (3 Nephi 9:19–20). God asked Israel for willing hearts (Exodus 35:5), and He still works that way. His promise stands: “I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7).