LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Numbers 1-3, God instructed Moses to count all the people of Israel and organize them into twelve tribes, each descended from one of Jacob’s sons. Because Jacob had previously adopted his two grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh (the sons of Joseph), as his own, the tribe of Joseph was replaced by these two tribes. The tribe of Levi was set apart entirely, not receiving land like the others, but instead serving as priests and caretakers of the Tabernacle, which was always placed at the center of the camp. Every family knew exactly where they belonged, and every tribe carried its own banner or flag. God was establishing order, identity, and a clear picture of His presence dwelling among His people.
In Numbers 13-14, as the Israelites drew near to the land God had promised them, Moses sent twelve men, one from each tribe, to scout out the land of Canaan for forty days. When they returned, ten of the spies gave a frightening report, claiming the people there were like giants and that the Israelites were powerless against them. Only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, responded with courage and faith, insisting that God was fully able to bring them into the land. Rather than trusting God, the people panicked, complained bitterly, and even threatened to return to Egypt. As a consequence of their unbelief, God declared that the entire generation would wander in the wilderness for forty years, one year for every day the spies had explored the land. Joshua and Caleb remained faithful and were promised they would one day enter the land. This story is a powerful reminder that when God calls us forward, He does not send us alone.
OPENING ACTIVITY | 6:00-6:15 | Spy Binoculars
Items Needed:
- Toilet paper rolls (craft rolls)
- Tape
- Crayons
- Stickers
- Hole Punch
- Yarn
Preassemble binoculars (two rolls taped together). Hole punch and add string so children can hang around neck. Children color and decorate their own pair of binoculars. As they color, teachers can ask, “What would you look for if you were a spy?” This sets the stage for the Bible story and sparks curiosity about what the twelve spies saw.
BIBLE STORY | 6:15-6:25
Question 1: Where is this story found in the Bible? Numbers
Question 2: Is Numbers in the Old Testament or the New Testament? Old Testament
OBJECT LESSON SETUP: Before the story, place a large bunch of grapes (or a cluster of purple balloons taped together) at the front. Keep it hidden under a cloth until the right moment in the story.
Friends, today we have an AMAZING Bible story! It has spies in it! Can you say “spies”? [Wait for response.]
Spies are people who go somewhere secretly to look around and find out information.
A long, long time ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were on a big adventure. They had been walking and walking and walking through the desert. They were going to a special place called the Promised Land. God said, “I have a wonderful land for you. It is beautiful and full of food and I will be with you there!” Can you say “Promised Land”? [Wait for response.]
Now, before they went in, God’s leader, a man named Moses, said, “We are going to send twelve brave men to go look at the land first.” These twelve men were called… SPIES! And their job was to go quietly into the land, look around, and come back and tell Moses what they saw.
The spies looked at the cities. They looked at the people. And then… they found something AMAZING.
[Pull out the grapes or grape balloon cluster.]
They found the BIGGEST, most beautiful grapes anyone had ever seen! The grapes were SO big and heavy that it took TWO men to carry them on a big stick!
After forty days, the spies came back to Moses and all the people. It was time to give their report! Ten of the spies walked up and said, “The land is nice, but the PEOPLE there are SO big! They are like giants! And WE we feel like tiny little grasshoppers next to them!”
The people heard that report and started to get very, very scared. BUT, rhere were two MORE spies. Their names were Joshua and Caleb, and they were NOT scared. They said, “Do NOT be afraid! God is with us! We CAN do this! God will help us!”
But the people did not listen to Joshua and Caleb. They listened to the ten scared spies instead. They said, “It’s too scary. We do NOT want to go.”
God had done SO many wonderful things for His people. He had rescued them from Egypt. He had given them food in the desert, and now He had a beautiful land waiting for them. All they had to do was trust Him! But they were too afraid.
Because the people did not trust God, God said, “You will have to walk in the desert for forty more years.” That is a very long time!
But God remembered Joshua and Caleb because they were BRAVE and they TRUSTED God. God said, “Joshua and Caleb, you will get to go into the Promised Land someday because you trusted Me.”
Isn’t that wonderful? When we are scared, we can be like Joshua and Caleb. We can remember that God is with us! Can you say our key phrase one more time? “GOD IS WITH US!” [Say it together with excitement.]
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS:
- Why do you think it was so important to trust God instead of being afraid?
- Joshua and Caleb believed God’s promise even when everyone else didn’t. What does that tell us about who God is?
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
- Have you ever felt scared about something? What could you remember from today’s story when you feel afraid?
- If YOU were one of the spies, do you think you would have been brave like Joshua and Caleb? What would help you be brave?
CLOSING PRAYER:
“Dear God, thank You that You are always with us, just like You were with Joshua and Caleb. Help us to be brave and trust You when we feel scared, because we know You keep all of Your promises. In Jesus’ name… AMEN!”
WORSHIP IN SONG | 6:25-6:35
PRAYER | 6:35-6:45
Transition children to the floor for prayer time. Sit together in a circle. Today we are going to pray for courage, asking God to help us trust Him when we feel scared or worried, just like Joshua and Caleb trusted God even when everyone else was afraid.
BIBLE VERSE GAME | 6:45-6:55 | Grape Stomp
Memory Verse: Joshua 1:9 (ESV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Items Needed
- Blown-up purple balloons
- Small strips of paper with Joshua 1:9 printed on them, rolled up and inserted into each balloon BEFORE blowing it up
- A large basket or bin at the front of the room labeled “Promised Land”
- A pushpin or toothpick (teachers hold these and assist)
Before class, roll up a printed strip of Joshua 1:9 and stuff it inside each balloon before inflating it. Scatter the purple “grapes” around the room. When the game begins, tell children they are going on a spy mission, just like Joshua and Caleb! Their job is to run around the room, collect as many grapes as they can find, and bring them back to the basket. Once all the grapes have been gathered, each child picks one balloon from the basket and stomps on it to pop it and get their verse. (A teacher can also help each child use a pin to pop their balloon if they’re not able to pop it by stomping on it). Out falls their very own memory verse to take home and practice with their family! Read the verse together as a group before moving on.
BIBLE CRAFT | 6:55-7:10 | Grape Painting
Materials needed:
- Water bottle cap
- Purple and green paint
- Grape template page (print on cardstock)
Pour some green and purple paints onto a washable plate. Take a bottle cap and show each child how to dip it in the paint and stamp it onto page. Once they’ve done a page of purple grapes, provide them with another paper and let them repeat the process for green grapes.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO | 7:10-7:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids to eat while watching the Bible story.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Giant Grape Balloon Science (Static Electricity)
Items Needed:
- Purple balloons
- Small pieces of tissue paper or confetti
- Wool cloth (optional)
Blow up purple balloons and rub them on children’s hair or a wool cloth. Then hold the balloon near the tissue paper and watch the pieces “jump” up to the balloon. Leaders explain that the balloon is so powerful it picks things up without even touching them. Connect to the lesson: “God’s power is even bigger than this! He was strong enough to help Joshua and Caleb, and He is strong enough to help us too!”
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Numbers 13:1-2 (ESV) “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.'”
Numbers 13:27-28 (ESV) “And they told him, ‘We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.'”
Numbers 13:30 (ESV) “But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.'”
Numbers 14:6-9 (ESV) “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, ‘The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.'”
Joshua 1:9 (ESV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
TWELVE TRIBES AND TWELVE SPIES | Numbers 13-14
Today’s Key Takeaway: God Gives Courage
What I Learned Today: Today we learned about twelve spies who went to explore the land God had promised His people. Ten of the spies were afraid and said the land was too hard to take, but two brave spies named Joshua and Caleb trusted God and said He would help them. We learned that when we feel scared, we can be brave because God is always with us, just like He was with Joshua and Caleb.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who told Moses to send spies into the Promised Land? (God did!)
- How many spies went to look at the land? (Twelve spies!)
- Which two spies were brave and trusted God? (Joshua and Caleb!)
- What did God promise to do for His people? (He promised to be with them and give them a land of their own!)
- What happens when we trust God even when we are scared? (God is with us and He helps us be strong and courageous!)
Life Application Questions:
- When you feel scared, what can you remember from today’s story? (That God is always with me and I can be brave like Joshua and Caleb!)
- Have you ever done something brave? What helped you do it? (Answers will vary. Guide toward trusting God and praying.)
- What would you have done if you were one of the twelve spies? (Answers will vary. Encourage faith and courage.)
- How can you be brave this week at home or at school? (Answers will vary. Help connect to trusting God in everyday moments.)
- What is one way you can trust God when something feels too hard or too scary? (Answers will vary. Encourage prayer, talking to a parent, and remembering God’s promises.)
Memory Verse: Joshua 1:9 (ESV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”