Numbers 13:1-14:38

On Sunday, Feb. 10, in Children’s Church we reviewed the book of Leviticus. We learned from “What’s In The Bible?” that Leviticus is a book of rules. Ask your children if they remember that. The video helped us understand the two different kinds of rules in Leviticus. All were for the purpose of making the Israelites holy. There are Ritual rules (like not trimming your beard) just for the Israelites and there are Ethical rules (like loving your neighbor as yourself) that apply to us today.

With all these rules, it was important to bring us to an understanding of those rules in the New Testament.  Because of what Christ did by giving Himself to be sacrificed for our inability to successfully keep all those rules, we can be free of the punishment for not keeping the rules. The Gospel was explained like this:

The Gospel- God’s Plan for Me

gos pel – noun. good news. the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation.

 God Rules- The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11, Colossians 1:16-17

 We Sinned- We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. Romans 3:23; 6:23

 God Provided- God sent Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9

 Jesus Gives- He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9

 We Respond- Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10,13

 Ask your children to show you the hand motion for each part of the Gospel Plan above. The children were encouraged to respond to Jesus by talking to a teacher or parent about trusting Christ as Savior if they haven’t already. I hope your child came home asking questions.

 In Sunday School, The Gospel Project for Kids took on a spy mission this week. Spies were sent into the land of promise. They had finally arrived! The problem was most of the people who went in to spy were having problems believing that they could conquer the people who lived there. Bigger problem … God had told them they could take it, so why worry? Two of those spies, Joshua and Caleb, knew that God was true and that He would lead them to victory. The problem became helping the others see that God was true to His word.

The crowd, unfortunately, followed the dissenters who said the people of the land were too large and that Israel could not take the promised land. The people sinned. How does God respond when His people sin? Sin has a price, but God is always willing to forgive when people seek forgiveness.

 Joshua and Caleb were not perfect, but they lived a life of obedience to God. Joshua would one day lead the people of Israel into the promised land. His accomplishments point to Christ’s finished work on the cross—defeating Satan, setting people free from sin, and making a way into the promised land of eternity.

 Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

 Bible Passage: Numbers 13:1-14:38

Big Picture Question: What happens when God’s people sin? Sin has a price, but God forgives when people seek forgiveness.

  Key passage: “And God spoke all these words, saying,

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.”

            Exodus 20:1-17

 Christ Connection: Even though Joshua was not perfect, he lived a life of obedience to God. Joshua was faithful and was going to lead the people into the promised land. His accomplishments point to Christ’s finished work on the cross-defeating Satan, setting people free from sin, and making the way into the promised land of eternity.

Family task: Hide some objects for a scavenger hunt. Connect the game to Moses’ instructions to the 12 spies to look through the promised land and report about the people, farmland, fruit, and fortifications. Consider hiding things that relate to the Bible story, such as a doll, toy food, grapes, and something representing protection (such as a bike helmet). List the items and why they are important.

Next week's lesson:  Numbers 7:1-12; 20:1-12,14; 21:4-9