This lesson teaches children that God cares for those who humbly serve Him, and that He answers when people speak against them. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God takes care of His servants, and He wants us to be humble and kind, not proud or unkind, even when we feel jealous or upset.
Memory Verse
Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the surface of the earth.
(WEB)
Have children cup both hands together like a small bowl, then slowly lower their heads as they say the verse together. Lowering the head shows humility, and the bowl hands remind them to hold their hearts gently.
The Story: Numbers 12 for Kids
Moses was God’s helper, and he led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Moses was very gentle and did not try to make himself important. His sister Miriam and his brother Aaron felt jealous of him. They began to speak badly about Moses because he had married a woman from another land.
God heard what Miriam and Aaron said. He called all three of them to the Tent of Meeting. God came down in a tall cloud and spoke to them. He said, “Why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” God explained that He talks with Moses in a special, clear way, not in riddles like He does with other prophets.
When the cloud lifted, Miriam had a terrible skin sickness. Her skin was as white as snow. Aaron saw it and felt very sorry. He asked Moses to pray for his sister, and Moses cried out to God, “Heal her, please!”
God answered that Miriam had to stay outside the camp for seven days, the way a person would stay away if their father had spit in their face. She stayed outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited for her before they moved on. After that, Miriam was brought back into the camp.
Read It Together
Numbers 12:7-8
7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
(WEB)
Point out that God calls Moses faithful and says He speaks with Moses face to face. Ask children what it means to be faithful, and how God shows that He trusts those who serve Him.
Numbers 12:10-11
10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. 11 Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, please don’t count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
(WEB)
Show how Aaron felt sad when he saw Miriam sick, and how he asked Moses to help. Remind children that saying sorry and asking for help are good ways to respond when we have done wrong.
Numbers 12:13
Moses cried to the LORD, saying, “Heal her, God, I beg you!”
(WEB)
Point out that Moses prayed for Miriam even though she had spoken against him. Explain that praying for people who hurt us is a way of showing God’s love.
Talk About It
- What do you think Miriam and Aaron were feeling when they talked about Moses?
- How does it make you feel when someone is jealous of you?
- Why do you think Moses prayed for Miriam after she had been unkind to him?
- What is one way you can be humble, like Moses, this week?
- How can we show God that we are sorry when we have said something unkind?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Cloud Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and cotton balls. Have children draw a simple picture of the Tent of Meeting, then glue cotton balls to the top to make the cloud where God appeared. Let them talk about how God was close to Moses even though the cloud was high above.
Humble Hands Movement Game
Play a quick game of “Simon Says” where you only follow commands that start with “Simon says be humble.” Give simple actions like bowing, sitting quietly, or raising both hands to God. Children who do the action without the words are out, and it helps them practice listening and humility together.
Take-Home Prayer Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Ask them to write or draw one way they want to be humble this week. Encourage them to tape the card to their bedroom door or lunch box as a daily reminder to ask God for a kind and gentle heart.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God takes His servants seriously and that speaking against them is serious in His eyes. Adults can see that God does not share His authority with jealousy or pride, and that He still responds with mercy when Miriam and Aaron ask for help. The story also shows the value of humble leadership, where Moses is praised for his gentleness rather than for his power.
Be careful not to suggest that every sickness is a direct punishment for sin, since the story is specific to Miriam’s situation and God’s particular purpose at that time. Children should understand that God is just and that humility matters, without concluding that illness always means God is angry.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for caring for those who serve You. Help us to be humble and kind, and help us not to be jealous of others. When we do something wrong, help us to say sorry and ask for help. Thank You for listening to us. Amen.
