This lesson teaches children that God gives His people clear instructions and that He loves them enough to tell them how to live well. It works for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God gives His people good rules because He loves us and wants us to be close to Him. Everyone who belongs to God follows the same rules.
Memory Verse
Numbers 15:40
So that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.
(WEB)
Teach the children to touch the fringe of a pretend garment, then tap their own heart twice. Ask them to do the motion every time they say the verse aloud together.
The Story: Numbers 15 for Kids
God spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel something important. When they moved into the new land God was giving them, they were to bring gifts to God. Some gifts were made of flour, oil, and wine, and some were animals that were offered on an altar. God wanted His people to remember that everything good came from Him.
God also explained what to do when someone made a mistake without meaning to. The people could bring a special offering, and the priest would pray for them, and God would forgive them. God said, “One law shall be for you and for the stranger who lives among you.” That meant everyone who lived with God’s people was included and was to follow the same rules.
Later, some people were in the wilderness when they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath was a day of rest that God had given His people. The people did not know what to do, so they brought him to Moses. Moses asked God, and God gave His answer clearly.
God then told Moses to have the people make tassels, or fringes, on the corners of their clothes with a blue cord. When they looked at the fringe, they would remember all of God’s commands. God said, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” God wanted His people to remember that He was the one who had rescued them.
Read It Together
Numbers 15:15-16
15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner, a statute forever throughout your generations. As you are, so shall the foreigner be before the LORD. 16 One law and one ordinance shall be for you, and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God’s rules were for everyone who lived among His people, not only for one family. Ask the children why it matters that God treats everyone fairly.
Numbers 15:22-23
22 “‘When you err, and don’t observe all these commandments, which the LORD has spoken to Moses, 23 even all that the LORD has commanded you by Moses, from the day that the LORD gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations…
(WEB)
Explain that God’s people sometimes make mistakes without knowing it. Show the children that God still gave them a way to be made right with Him.
Numbers 15:37-39
37 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue: 39 and it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look on it, and remember all the LORD’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’ t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute…
(WEB)
Point out the word “remember” in these verses. Ask the children what helps them remember things God has told them.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God gave His people so many rules to follow?
- How did God want the people to remember His commands every day?
- What does it tell us that God’s rules were the same for everyone?
- What can you do when you make a mistake and didn’t mean to?
- How can you remember that God brought you out of hard places?
Activity Ideas
Blue Cord Bracelet Craft
You will need blue yarn, scissors, and a few paper beads or small pieces of cardboard with holes. Have each child cut a piece of yarn about the length of their wrist and tie it loosely around a finger or a pencil. Let them thread the beads on the yarn and tie it into a bracelet. Explain that the blue cord reminded God’s people to remember His commands, and the bracelet can remind them too.
Remember and Move Game
Gather the children in a circle or a line. Call out a simple command such as “Clap your hands” or “Touch your nose,” and have them do it. Then call out “Remember!” and have them touch the blue thread or bracelet if they are wearing one. Keep the commands short and fun so the children stay engaged while learning that remembering God’s words helps us follow them.
Take-Home Reminder Card
Provide index cards, crayons, and a hole punch with a short piece of yarn. Have each child draw a picture of something God has given them and write or draw a word that reminds them of God’s commands. Punch a hole in the corner and tie the yarn through it. Encourage families to look at the card together during the week and talk about how God takes care of them.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about every part of life, from offerings and daily bread to how people treat one another. The same law applied to native-born Israelites and to foreigners who lived among them, which points to God’s concern for justice and welcome. The chapter also shows God’s provision for sins committed unintentionally, and it ends with the fringes as a visual reminder of holiness.
Avoid suggesting to children that God is quick to punish. The story of the man gathering sticks is serious, and its details are hard for young listeners. Focus the lesson on God’s love, His clear instructions, and the way He forgives mistakes, and handle the harsher passages briefly and gently.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for giving us clear rules to help us live well. Help us remember Your commands every day and follow them with love. Thank You for forgiving us when we make mistakes and for bringing us close to You. Help us be people who love You and treat others kindly. Amen.
