Week 182 · about 45 minutes
Numbers 23
Numbers 23 · Memory verse Numbers 23:4
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Numbers 23), the matching word search and answer key (Numbers 23 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a paper crown
Hold a paper crown. Read Numbers 23 in about four minutes, stopping at Numbers 23:4: “God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Numbers 23?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Numbers 23 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”” Numbers 23 opens with these words: “Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”” The line to keep is Numbers 23:4: “God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.”” Carry the word “balaam” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Numbers 23:4: “God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Numbers 23? Then try this: Read “God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through Numbers 23. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Numbers 23:4. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Numbers 23 and write Numbers 23:4 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Numbers 23:4
“God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Numbers 23. Help us remember Numbers 23:4 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.