This lesson teaches children that when they look to God in trouble, He answers and helps them live. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with time for a short activity.
Big Idea
God hears His people when they are sad or afraid, and when they look to Him, He gives them life. Even when things are hard, we can trust Him to take care of us.
Memory Verse
Numbers 21:8
The LORD said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen, that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to point up to heaven with one finger when they say the verse, then raise both arms high like someone who is looking up. Have them say the verse together three times, each time a little louder, then softer. Ask them to do the motions at home before bed.
The Story: Numbers 21 for Kids
God’s people, the Israelites, were walking through a big, dry desert on their way to a new land. They were tired and hot, and the walk was very long. The people started to complain. They said, “Why did you bring us out here to die? There is no bread and no water, and we do not like this food!” They were speaking against God and against Moses, their leader.
Then God sent poisonous snakes into the camp. Many people were bitten, and many of them got very sick. The people were scared. They came to Moses and said, “We did wrong. We were unkind to God and to you. Please pray and ask God to take the snakes away.”
Moses prayed for the people, just as they asked. God told Moses to make a snake out of bronze, which is a shiny metal, and to put it high up on a pole. God said that anyone who had been bitten could look at the bronze snake and live. Moses did exactly what God said.
After that, when a person was bitten and looked up at the bronze snake, they got well. God kept the people safe on their journey. Later in the chapter, the Israelites kept walking and fought against other kings, and God helped them win. God was with His people through every step of the way.
Read It Together
Numbers 21:5-6
5 The people spoke against God, and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loathes this disgusting bread.” 6 The LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died.
(WEB)
Point out how the people were tired and complained about the food and the desert. Ask the children what they do when they feel grumpy or hungry. Explain that God was not pleased with their complaining, but He still cared for them.
Numbers 21:7
The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD, and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people.
(WEB)
Show how the people admitted they had done wrong and asked Moses to pray. Explain that saying sorry and asking for help is a good thing to do. Remind children that God listens when we pray.
Numbers 21:9
Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of brass, he lived.
(WEB)
Point out that the people had to look at the bronze snake to be healed. Talk about how looking to God for help means turning our hearts toward Him and trusting what He tells us to do.
Talk About It
- What did the people in the desert feel when they were hungry and thirsty, and what did they say to God and Moses?
- How did God take care of His people even after they had done wrong?
- What did the people have to do to get well from the snake bites?
- When you feel scared or sad, what is a way you can look to God for help?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to look up at the bronze snake instead of just being sorry?
Activity Ideas
Bronze Snake Craft
You will need paper towel tubes, yellow or gold paper, glue, markers, and tape. Let each child cover a paper towel tube with gold paper to look like a shiny pole. Then help them cut a snake shape from the gold paper, draw a face, and tape it to the top of the tube. As they work, talk about how the snake was lifted up so people could see it and be healed.
Look Up and Move Game
You will need a small object like a stuffed toy or a ball to act as the snake. Hold the object up high and call out “Look up!” while the children look up and do a silly stretch. Then call out “Desert walk!” and have them walk in place. Mix up the calls so children have to listen carefully and both look up and move with the instructions.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need index cards, crayons, and a pen. Give each child a card and have them draw a picture of themselves looking up at God. On the back, help them write the words “Look to God for help.” Ask them to put the card somewhere they will see it, like by their bed or on the fridge, and to share one thing they learned with their family this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s people often grumbled in hard times, yet God kept His promises and provided for them. The bronze snake points forward to Jesus, who said that He would be lifted up so that everyone who looks to Him may live. This is a rich idea for adults to reflect on as they teach.
With children, avoid telling them that the bronze snake itself was special or that looking at objects can heal us. The lesson is that God is the one who saves, and we turn to Him in trust. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on the snake.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for listening when we are tired, sad, or scared. Help us to look to You for help and to trust You in every hard moment. Thank You for loving us and taking care of us every day. Amen.
