Lesson Learned: God causes earthquakes.
Materials Needed: plastic container (e.g. used margarine, cottage cheese, or sour cream container washed out), scissors, construction paper
Bible Verse:
Numbers 16:28-33
28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and experience only what usually happens to men, then the LORD has not sent me. 30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” 31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah’s men and all their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community.
Psalm 106:17
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram.
Talking Points:
An earthquake is something when the ground shakes and the ground moves. People in houses may see pictures move on their walls or books fall of bookshelves. God created the Earth and He also created earthquakes. Earthquakes show how strong and powerful God is. In this story, we see an earthquake where several people fall into the cracks of the ground. They were disobeying God and this was their punishment.
Questions: Have you ever been in an earthquake? What would you do if you felt the ground moving? Why do you think God made earthquakes?
Activity:
Cut a whole in the lid of the plastic container and close the container. Cut out several small men from the construction paper. Read the story to the child again and then let the child drop the men through the top of the lid. Let them take the men out and repeat.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know you are strong enough to even make the earth shake. Help us to always remember Your power and help us to obey Your word. Amen.