The Brazen Serpent

Central Truth: Even though we complain and sin, God is merciful if we repent.

Scriptures: Numbers 21:4-9

After the death of Aaron, the Israelites continued their journey towards Canaan. Since they could not travel along the King’s Highway in Edom, they were forced to travel through the Arabah, a hot, barren desert with steep, narrow ravines. The Israelites became very discouraged and again complained about Moses and God who became angry and sent poisonous snakes against them. Many people died.

The Israelites asked Moses to pray to the Lord to remove the snakes. The Lord tells Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone who was bitten and looked upon it would live. 

Moses and the Bronze Snake coloring page from Calvary Kids Pagaes.

Moses Smites the Rock

Moses smites the rock!

Central Truth: Always trust and believe God because he is true to his word.

Scriptures: Numbers 20

After leading the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years, the time to enter the Promised Land was drawing near. They stopped at Kadesh Barnea and the people were thirsty and demanded water. God instructed Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock but Moses struck the rock instead. Although water flowed and a miracle happened, Moses and Aaron were forbidden to enter the land of Canaan because of their disobedience and unbelief. 

To help reinforce today's lesson, the children put together a crafty coloring page I discovered from calvary-kids-pages.com. The craft included a scene with Moses and water that is added to the rock.

Rebellion in the Wilderness

A word search from the lesson.

Central Truth: Be respectful of the ministry in which you are called.

Scriptures: Numbers 16:1-40

Some time after the twelve spies gave their report back to Moses, a rebellion was incited within the camp. Korah, a Levite, and Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben gathered 250 princes of Israel and accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly. It was not enough for Korah to be appointed to the service of the Tabernacle, they wanted the power over the congregation. They also accused Moses and Aaron of failing to bring them into the Promised Land.

Moses told the leaders of the rebellion to meet at the tent of the Tabernacle to see who God chooses to be the leader. They met them at the Tabernacle except for Dathan and Abiram and their families who refused to come. Instead, they remained in their own tents. When God appeared to the children of Israel, Moses warned them to remove themselves from the rebels. The earth opened and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram along with their households and their goods. Then fire came down and devoted the 250 princes who had offered incense to God. The sons of Korah did not die. All of the censors that belonged to the 250 princes were hammered into plates and used as a covering for the altar and was a reminder that no one but the descendants of Aaron can offer incense to the Lord.