In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when we are scared, and that complaining and refusing to trust Him leads to hard consequences. The lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few verses, and one simple activity.
Big Idea
God is faithful and keeps His promises, so we can trust Him even when we feel afraid. When we choose to complain and refuse to trust Him, we miss out on what He has for us.
Memory Verse
Numbers 14:9
Only don’t rebel against the LORD, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and the LORD is with us. Don’t fear them.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with their feet together, then put both hands on their hearts. As they say the verse slowly, they should take a big breath and let it out. Repeat it three times so the words feel familiar.
The Story: Numbers 14 for Kids
The people of Israel were traveling through the desert after God had rescued them from Egypt. Moses sent twelve leaders to look at the land God had promised them. When the spies came back, they said the land was amazing and full of good food, but the people living there were very big and strong.
Most of the leaders were scared. They told the people, “We cannot go in. We will never win!” The people began to cry and complain. Some even said, “We wish we had died in Egypt!” They forgot all the wonderful things God had already done for them.
Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, were not scared. They tore their clothes in sadness at the people’s complaining, then spoke up bravely. Caleb said, “Let us go up and take the land, for God is with us!” Joshua agreed and said, “Do not be afraid of the people, because God is with us.”
The people did not listen. They even talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb. God was sad that His people still did not trust Him after everything He had done for them. Because of their choice to complain instead of trust, God told them they would wander in the desert for forty years until that whole generation had passed away.
Only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the land, because they trusted God and followed Him fully. The story shows us that God keeps His word, but He also wants His people to believe Him and not turn away.
Read It Together
Numbers 14:8
If the LORD delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which flows with milk and honey.
(WEB)
Point out that Joshua and Caleb reminded the people that God was pleased with them and would bring them into the land. Ask the children what it means that God “delights” in His people, and remind them that He keeps His promises.
Numbers 14:18
‘The LORD is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’
(WEB)
Show the children that God is patient and full of love, even when His people fail. Explain that God is slow to get angry and forgives His people, which shows us what God is like.
Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it.
(WEB)
Point out that Caleb had a different attitude from the others and followed God fully. Ask the children how they can follow God with their whole heart, even when others around them are complaining.
Talk About It
- What did the people in the story feel when they heard about the big people in the land?
- How did Joshua and Caleb act differently from the others, and why do you think they acted that way?
- What are some good things God had already done for the people before they started complaining?
- When you feel scared about something, what is one thing you can remember about God?
- Why do you think it matters that we trust God instead of just complaining?
Activity Ideas
Caleb and Joshua Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw two pictures side by side: one showing the frightened people complaining and one showing Joshua and Caleb standing bravely. Let them add a small picture of God’s presence, such as a cloud or a light, in both pictures. Talk about what they notice in each picture.
Stand Tall or Shake Game
You will need an open space and no special supplies. Call out “Trust God!” and have the children stand tall with their arms raised like Caleb. Then call out “Complain!” and have them shake and cover their faces like the scared people. Mix up the calls quickly and talk about why trusting God helps us stand strong.
Trust Bracelet Take-Home
You will need pipe cleaners or string, and small beads or paper cutouts with a single word written on each. Have children write the word “Trust” or “God is faithful” on a bead or paper piece and thread it onto their pipe cleaner or string. Encourage them to wear the bracelet or keep it in a pocket and touch it whenever they feel scared that week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our faithfulness, yet our unbelief has real consequences and can cost us the blessings God intends for us. Many of us, like the people of Israel, forget God’s past faithfulness when fear arises, and the chapter calls us back to trust His character and promises.
Be careful not to overstate the idea that every hardship is a punishment for disobedience, since the passage addresses a specific rebellion and specific consequences. Children should hear that God is loving and patient, not that every scary moment in life is a sign that they have done something wrong.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises to us. Help us to trust You when we feel scared, and help us to be brave like Joshua and Caleb. Please help us remember all the good things You have done for us. Amen.
