Lesson Learned: In the Old Testament, people casts lots to make decisions; now days we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our decision-making.
Materials Needed: coin
Bible Verse:
Numbers 26:55
Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe.
1 Chronicles 26:12-14
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the LORD, just as their relatives had. 13 Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.
Matthew 27:35
35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Talking Points: Before Jesus was born, people used lots to make decisions. They would use lots to determine who got what land, who did what in the temple, or who got Jesus’ clothes after He died. No one knows for sure what lots are. They could have been sticks, dice, or coins. Using lots is kind of like flipping a coin to make a decision. Now days, God does not want us to make decisions this way. God gave us the Holy Spirit to ask for direction and guidance in making decisions.
Questions: Do you get to make decisions about anything in your house (like what’s for dinner or what to wear or what to play with?) How do you make decisions? Do you ever ask God before you make those decisions? If not, you should.
Activity: Show the child that a coin has a top (heads) and a bottom (tails). Flip the coin several times and let the child call “heads” or “tails”. They will have fun trying to guess which side lands up.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, You are so good to give us the Holy Spirit to make decisions. Give us ears to hear. Amen!