Numbers 22:1-24:25

In Children’s Church, we reviewed the story of the Bronze Snake and connected it to the New Testament. The Israelites  started complaining again so God allowed poisonous snakes to bite them, but He also gave them a way to be healed by instructing Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. When those that were bitten and dying looked at it, they would be saved. We found Jesus referring to this event when He was talking to Nicodemus in the book of John. “Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. The Son of Man (Jesus) must be lifted up also. Then everyone who believes in him can live with God forever.” John 3:14-15 

We learned that God was pointing the wandering Israelites to what Jesus was going to do on the cross. We are not like the Israelites; Jesus has already paid the punishment for our sin. We already have to opportunity to be saved if we look at what Christ did on the cross and believe.

In Sunday School, Today in The Gospel Project for Kids, your kids heard one amazing story of a talking animal. God actually gave an animal, a donkey, the ability to speak for a brief moment in order to make a point to one impromptu prophet. Balaam was hired by the king to pronounce a curse on the Israelites. Balaam headed out but his donkey kept running him into walls and crevices. After beating the donkey, Balaam heard the donkey speak. Shortly thereafter Balaam learned that he had no choice but to say what God wanted him to say and nothing else. After repeatedly blessing the Israelites instead of cursing them, Balaam lost favor with the king.

Who protected God’s people? God always protects His people. Fourteen hundred years after Balaam predicted Jesus’ birth, wise men from the east came to visit the boy Jesus.

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

 Bible Passage: Numbers 22:1-24:25

 Big Picture Question: Who protected God’s people? God protected His people from their enemies.

 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: Fourteen hundred years after Balaam announced Jesus’ birth, wise men followed a star to the place where Jesus was born. The wise men worshiped Jesus as King. (Matthew 2:2)

 Family task: Write a blessing for each of your children. Blessings in the Bible sometimes included instructions for living and a vision of the kind of person a child would become. Blessings communicate love. Consider using words of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:6) about entering the promised land: “Be strong and courageous…. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Next week's lesson:  Joshua 3-4  (Don’t worry, we will cover Moses’ great speech in Deuteronomy, it’s too important to skip)