Week 190 · about 45 minutes
Numbers 31
Numbers 31 · Memory verse Numbers 31:2
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Numbers 31), the matching word search and answer key (Numbers 31 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a ribbon
Hold a ribbon. Read Numbers 31 in about four minutes, stopping at Numbers 31:2: ““Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Numbers 31?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Numbers 31 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,” 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, “Levy a tribute to Yahweh of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks.” Numbers 31 opens with these words: “Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,” The line to keep is Numbers 31:2: ““Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”” Carry the word “avenge” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Numbers 31:2: ““Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Numbers 31? Then try this: Read ““Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”” 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 31. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Numbers 31:2. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Numbers 31 and write Numbers 31:2 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Numbers 31:2
““Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Numbers 31. Help us remember Numbers 31:2 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.