Numbers 13:17-14:38
Joshua and Caleb- The Twelve Spies
HOOK:
Hide some kind of special treat in the room (be prepared with something like a baggie of cookies or take fruit snacks from the kitchen snack closet). Tell the kids that they all have to act like spies and try to find something special that is hidden in the room. Ask them to tell you how a spy would act (they would be quiet, not be seen or heard by anybody, they would look in places carefully and make sure nothing was moved). Spies have to be very smart, quiet and brave, because you never know what you might find. After somebody has found the treat, you can have them put it aside to enjoy at snack time (and if it’s enough for everybody they can share).
BOOK: Numbers 13:17-14:38
This Bible story is about 2 brave men who obeyed the Lord. God wanted to give His people, the Israelites, a special place. It was a land flowing with milk and honey which means it was very good in every way. God told Moses to send out 12 men as spies to explore the land of Canaan. He wanted them to see how wonderful the place is where they were going to move. Has anyone ever moved? It can be a little scary. Do you ever get afraid or nervous when you go some place you’ve never been and you want to stay with your Mom or Dad or sister or brother? Maybe you’ve gone to a friend’s house for a birthday party, and you were looking forward to having fun, but then when you got to the party, you didn’t know anybody and everything was really confusing and you didn’t think you were going to have a good time? That’s how these spies felt. They were excited about the adventure, but then when they explored the land, they saw people who looked like giants (v.32-33) and it made them feel like itty-bitty grasshoppers. The city and the people seemed so strong that they thought that they could never get the land. There were only two people who believed that God was strong enough to give them the land. Their names were Joshua and Caleb. They said the land was very good (Numbers 14:7) and that they didn’t have to be afraid of the giants because the Lord was with them (14:9). God was not happy with the spies that didn’t believe that He was strong enough to give them the land. He wants His people to trust Him. God is so big and so powerful and He takes care of you and me. Joshua and Caleb knew that. They were the only two that God let into the Promised Land (the land of Canaan). God is always with you wherever you go and you don’t have to be afraid.
LOOK:
When everyone was looking for the special treat that was hidden at the beginning of class, it was fun and exciting. Sometimes we have to do things that are not so fun and may even be a little scary. Even if your Mom or Dad or sister or brother can’t be with you somewhere, you know that God is always with you. He is strong and He will take care of you just like He was with Joshua and Caleb. They believed that God was with them and they weren’t even afraid of giants. You can be like Joshua and Caleb and know that God takes care of you every day and every place.
TOOK:
The next time you find yourself in a place that might be scary or that you aren’t used to, remember that God is with you and He is strong enough to take care of you. Ask him to help you be calm and to be brave like Joshua and Caleb, the two spies that believed that God was strong enough to protect them and give them the Promised Land.
MEMORY VERSE:
“ . . . the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid . . .” Numbers 14:9b
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you God for always being with us and taking care of us. Please help us to always believe in You and to remember to talk to you when we feel afraid. Thank you for watching over us and protecting us. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
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