Lesson Learned: God chose Aaron and Moses to lead his people.
Materials Needed: big stick, construction paper, scissors, markers, tape
Bible Verse:
Numbers 17:1-11
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. 3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you. 5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”
6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron’s staff was among them. 7 Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the tent of the covenant law.
8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff.
10 The LORD said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.” 11 Moses did just as the LORD commanded him.
Talking Points: God had chosen Moses and Aaron to lead His people. The people were complaining about this, however, so God wanted to show that that Moses and Aaron really were the ones He wanted to have leading them, teaching them, and serving as the High Priest. So, God told Aaron and 11 other leaders to take their staffs (walking sticks) and put them in the temple. He said that the one that He chose would have the staff bloom with flowers. The next morning, Aaron’s staff was full of flowers and almonds. God had chosen Aaron and proved it. God puts people in our lives to lead us and teach us, just like He did with Aaron and the Israelites.
Questions: Can you name some people that lead/teach you? What about your Sunday school teacher or your preschool teacher? What is your favorite thing to do with that person? Why?
Activity: Go on a stick hunt with your child. Find a big stick and bring it inside. Cut out flower shapes and let the child decorate them. Then, tape them to the stick. (You could do this activity at night and tape the flowers on overnight so when the child wakes up the next morning, they see the blooms).
Prayer: Dear God, You put people in our lives to teach us and guide us. Help us to show respect to these people. Thank You for (insert names of child’s teachers). Amen!