Two say “yes” and ten say “no”
key words
biblical reference
Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33; 14:1-35
memory verse
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV*).
lesson objective
To help children realize that when they trust in God and obey him, he gives them the courage to do the right thing.
prepare yourself to teach
God’s plan was that the people of Israel would enjoy the Promised Land, a place where “milk and honey” flowed. He had done great miracles to bring them out of Egypt and to the borders of Canaan. But, still the people lacked faith. They would not enter until they knew what the situation was there. The mission of the 12 men sent to spy out the land was not to see if they could conquer the land, because God had already told them that they would take it. Their mission was to collect information about it and its inhabitants, and set a route for the Israelites to follow when entering.
The report of the 10 men left no doubt that the land was good and it was worth going to possess. However, they worried that it seemed impossible to overcome the obstacles they would encounter to enter the land. But, Caleb and Joshua had a totally different view. They too saw the walls and giants. However, they remembered that God had told them they would take the land. Their confidence in God was greater than their fear.
After the report of the 10, the people were full of fear, so much that they refused to enter Canaan. Their disobedience and lack of confidence angered God, who ordered that all men older than 20 years old would not enter the Promised Land, except Joshua and Caleb. The others would die while they were wandering in the desert for 40 years.
adaptation
Friends have a great influence on children; and even when they know what is right, they often choose to do the incorrect thing just to be accepted by their friends. We need to help our children to know that they must do the right thing.
It is also important to learn to have more confidence in God; they know that only he gives them the strength to do the right thing. Joshua and Caleb decided to trust in God and obey him. That gave them courage. This is an example that we should follow.
introduce the lesson
Tell the group: “Getting to the Promised Land was what motivated the exodus of the people of Israel. Arriving at the Promised Land was the goal, the purpose of such a long and difficult journey. However, within walking distance of the Promised Land, they sent spies to explore it.”
teach the lesson
Before the session carefully read Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33 and 14:1-35 and be ready to tell the story in your own words. The report of the spies brought such despair to the people that they were seized by so much fear that they even wanted to return to the slavery from which they had been released.
Emphasize how much effort it took for the Israelites to get there. You can include singing a song like, “God Did not Bring Us Here to Turn Back”, or any other song that is appropriate. Keep in mind the purpose of the lesson as you tell the Bible story.
Use language that is clear and simple. Remember that many of your children do not know many Bible stories. It will be better if you use a version of the Bible in modern language to facilitate their understanding. When biblical and religious terms are used, make sure that everyone understands their meaning.
If you can, bring some grapes, if not, bring some grape juice (or some other local fruit, honey, etc.). Use these to demonstrate how rich the Promised Land was.
connect the lesson
Who saw what?
You will need Student Activity Sheet #120, scissors, crayons, and an envelope for each child.
Read the statements from the center of the worksheet; then discuss each picture with your group. Ask, “What do you see in these pictures?” (Lots of fruit, high walls, giants, flowing water) “Which pictures best represent what the 10 spies saw and which best represent what Joshua and Caleb saw?” Ask the questions on the worksheet and discuss the answers. Finally, ask, “What distinguished Joshua and Caleb from the other spies?” (They decided to trust in God. They wanted to obey his command to enter Canaan.)Explain that to trust in God does not mean that Christians will never feel afraid; but rather than surrender to the fear they trust that God will help them. When we obey the Lord, we are helping to carry out his plan. Let your children color the pictures and then have them cut out the cards and place their cards in an envelope with their name on it. Let your children take the cards home so they can tell the Bible story to their family.
practice the memory verse
Have all the children repeat the Bible verse together. Then divide them into 2 groups, boys and girls. Have each group repeat the verse. If you can, bring some visual aids to help them learn the text. You could write it on a large piece of cardboard and paint it with several colors to make it more appealing. If you do not have the ability to make it, ask someone from your church to help.
Ask the following questions about the lesson:
How many spies were sent to explore Canaan? (12)
What was the report of the ten spies? (Good land, walled cities, giants, very dangerous, we cannot win)
What was different about the report of Caleb and Joshua from that of the other ten spies? (They said that God is with us, we can win, we will obey God)
After the Israelites heard the report of all of the spies, what did they do? (They cried all night, they wanted to return to Egypt, they refused to trust in God and they did not enter Canaan.)
What happens when people decide to trust and obey in God? (They help in doing the will of God.)
Ask your children to come up with some ways that children can show that they trust and obey God. (Accept any reasonable answer.)
wrap-up
Pray
Finish with a prayer. If you want to, make two circles: one for boys and another for girls. Assign a leader for each circle to pray. Afterwards, you pray for everyone. Be sure to ask if they have any requests, and include them in your prayer.
Encourage
Before the session ends, help the children to remember what to take home. Thank everyone for coming to this session.
Invite
Tell the children something about the next lesson, trying to make get them excited about coming to the next session. Challenge them to invite their friends.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™