This lesson teaches children that God cares about fairness and that He chooses good leaders to care for His people. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God listens when people ask for fair treatment, and He always knows who should lead His people next.
Memory Verse
Numbers 27:7
“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and hold their hands out flat like a scale, then move one hand up and down to show that God makes things fair. Say the verse together while you move your hands.
The Story: Numbers 27 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Israel were walking through the wilderness on their way to the land God had promised them. A man named Zelophehad had died, and he had no sons. He had five daughters named Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. In that time, land usually went only to sons, so these sisters worried they would get nothing.
The five sisters walked up to Moses, the priest Eleazar, and the leaders of the people. They stood near the Tent of Meeting, where God’s presence was. They said, “Our father died, but he was not one of the people who turned against God. Why should his name disappear just because he had no son? Please give us land too.”
Moses did not know the answer, so he brought their question to God. God said, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right. Give them land among their father’s family.” God also made a new rule for all of Israel: if a man had no sons, his daughters could receive his land.
Later, God told Moses that he would soon see the promised land from a mountain, but he would not go into it, because he had disobeyed God at the waters of Meribah. Moses did not want the people to be like sheep without a shepherd, so he asked God to choose a new leader. God told him to pick Joshua, a man who had God’s Spirit in him.
Moses did exactly what God said. He placed his hands on Joshua and gave him the job of leading the people. Joshua stood before the priest and the whole community, and everyone knew he was now their leader. God had answered the prayers of both the sisters and the people.
Read It Together
Numbers 27:1-4
1 Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”
(WEB)
Point out how the five sisters came to Moses together and spoke up boldly. Ask the children what it takes to ask for something fair, and notice that they respected the leaders while they asked.
Numbers 27:7-8
7 “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. 8 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
(WEB)
Show the children that God answered the sisters by making a fair rule for everyone. Explain that God cares about each person, including girls and women, in a world where they were often overlooked.
Numbers 27:18-20
18 The LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight. 20 You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
(WEB)
Point out that God chose Joshua and gave him His Spirit, and that Moses placed his hands on Joshua as a sign of passing on the job. Remind the children that God is the one who chooses leaders.
Talk About It
- What do you think the five sisters felt when they walked up to Moses and asked their question?
- Why do you think it was important to God that the sisters got a fair share of land?
- When have you felt left out, and what did you do about it?
- How did Moses show that Joshua was going to be the new leader?
- What is one thing you can ask God for when something does not seem fair?
Activity Ideas
Five Sisters Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a simple picture of one sister and write or copy her name at the bottom. Glue the five pictures onto a long strip of paper labeled “God Is Fair.” Hang it on the wall where the class can see it during the lesson.
Shepherd and Sheep Game
Choose one child to be the shepherd and the rest to be sheep. Blindfold the sheep, or have them close their eyes, and have the shepherd gently lead them around the room by calling their names. Afterward, talk about how the people needed a shepherd, just as Moses prayed for them. You can use a bell or a clap as the shepherd’s call.
Fair Share Take-Home
Give each child a small bag of snacks, such as crackers or raisins, and a card that says “God makes things fair.” Ask them to share the snack with someone at home and say the memory verse before eating together. This helps children practice fairness and God’s care in everyday life.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes seriously the voices of people who are often overlooked, and He changes the law to protect them. It also shows God’s wisdom in choosing a leader who is ready to guide His people into the future. The sisters’ courage reminds us that bringing a need honestly before God and His appointed leaders is an act of faith.
Avoid making Moses’ sin at the waters of Meribah sound like a simple lesson about anger or punishment for children. The text only says he disobeyed God, and the focus of this chapter is the sisters’ request and God’s gift of a new leader. Keep the emphasis on God’s faithfulness rather than on Moses’ failure.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for caring about fairness and for hearing us when we ask. Help us speak up kindly when something is not right. Thank You for giving us good leaders who help us follow You. We trust You to take care of us always. Amen.
