This lesson teaches children that God sees how we treat the people He has chosen, and that He cares about humility and kindness. It works well for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Use it with a story-telling approach, a short memory verse, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God loves and protects the people He chooses, so we should speak kindly and never talk badly about them. Moses was humble, and God cared for him.
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)
Teach the children to cup both hands together in front of their chest, then slowly open them wide, like a book opening. Say the verse slowly with the motion each time, so the words and the movement stay together.
The Story: Numbers 12 for Kids
Moses was the leader God had chosen to bring His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He was a humble man, more humble than anyone else on the earth. One day, his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron began to talk against him. They were upset because Moses had married a woman from Cush, and they said, “Hasn’t God spoken through us too?” God heard every word they said.
God suddenly called Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to come out to the Tent of Meeting. He came down in a tall pillar of cloud and stood at the door. God said, “If there is a prophet among you, I speak to him in visions and dreams. But my servant Moses is different. I speak with him face to face, plainly, and not in riddles. Why were you not afraid to speak against him?” God was very angry with them, and then He left.
When the cloud lifted, Miriam was covered with a skin disease that made her skin as white as snow. Aaron looked at her and saw what had happened. Aaron quickly said to Moses, “Please, my lord, do not hold this sin against us. We have acted foolishly.” He was sorry for what they had done.
Moses cried out to God and said, “Heal her, God, I beg you!” God answered that Miriam must stay outside the camp for seven days, as a sign of how serious her words had been. Her family had been shamed by her actions, so she had to wait outside.
Miriam stayed outside the camp for seven days. The people did not move on until she was brought back in. After she returned, they traveled from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran. The whole camp waited for her, which showed how much they cared about her.
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 God face to face. Ask the children what it means to be faithful, and how God shows that He trusts Moses with His house.
Numbers 12:13
Moses cried to the LORD, saying, “Heal her, God, I beg you!”
(WEB)
Show how Moses prayed for Miriam even after she had spoken against him. Point out that Moses loved his sister and asked God for help. Help the children see that prayer is a way to care for others, even those who have hurt us.
Numbers 12:14-15
14 The LORD said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn’t she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.” 15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again.
(WEB)
Explain that God gave a clear consequence for Miriam’s words, and that the whole camp waited for her return. Ask children why it matters that the people waited, and what this teaches about belonging to a community.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to be humble, and how did Moses show humility in this story?
- How did God feel when Miriam and Aaron talked against Moses? What can we learn about how God sees our words?
- Why do you think Moses prayed for Miriam even though she had said unkind things about him?
- What are some kind things we can say about the leaders and helpers God gives us?
- How did the people in the camp show that they cared about Miriam while she was outside?
Activity Ideas
Cloud and Tent Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and cotton balls. Have each child draw a simple tent with a door, then glue cotton balls above it to make the pillar of cloud. Encourage them to write or draw one kind thing they can say about someone they love. Let them take the drawing home to share with family.
Humble Hands Game
Gather the children in a circle and have them stand still with their hands folded. Call out “Moses was humble!” and they all bow slightly. Then call out a word that is not kind, like “Grumble,” and they must keep still and not move. Play a few rounds, then ask them what it felt like to stay quiet and kind when others were not.
Kindness Card for Home
You will need index cards, pencils, and a marker. Ask each child to write or draw one kind word or action they will do for someone at home this week. Punch a hole in the corner and tie a string through it so they can hang it on the fridge or their bedroom door. Encourage them to check it each day as a reminder of God’s care.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes words spoken against His chosen leaders seriously, and that He defends the humble. Moses is shown as a man of deep faithfulness, and God speaks to him in a unique way. Adults can also see the mercy of Moses, who prays for the sister who wronged him.
Avoid overstating to children that every sickness is a punishment from God for sin. This story describes one specific event with a specific purpose. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness, Moses’s humility, and the call to speak kindly, rather than on fear.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for loving and caring for the people you choose. Help us to be humble like Moses, and to speak kindly about others. When we are upset, help us to pray for them instead of talking against them. We trust that you see everything and that you care for each one of us. Amen.
