This lesson teaches children that God sees and knows everything, and that we should do what God says even when someone offers us a reward to do something different. It works well for children aged 5 to 11, and the full lesson takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is always watching over us, and He wants us to listen to Him more than to people who promise us gifts. When we obey God, we are doing the right thing.
Memory Verse
Numbers 22:12
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands like a little bowl, then slowly lift them up as if they are lifting the words toward heaven. Say the verse together while lifting your hands, and repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Numbers 22 for Kids
The people of Israel were traveling through the desert, and they set up their tents on the plains of Moab. The king of Moab was named Balak. He was scared of Israel, because there were so many of them. He wanted someone to put a curse on them so that he could drive them out of the land.
Balak sent messengers to a man named Balaam, who lived far away. He offered Balaam a lot of money and honor if he would come and curse Israel. Balaam asked God what to do. God said, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” So Balaam told the messengers to go home.
Balak was not happy, so he sent even more important leaders with even more money. Balaam told them that he could not do anything God did not allow, even if the king gave him a house full of silver and gold. That night, God told Balaam that he could go, but only if he said exactly what God told him to say.
The next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and started on the road. But God was angry, and an angel of the LORD stood in the road with a sword in his hand. The donkey saw the angel and turned off the path. Balaam hit her to make her go back on the road.
The angel stood in a narrow path between two walls, and the donkey pressed against the wall and hurt Balaam’s foot. Then the donkey lay down under him. Balaam was so angry that he struck her again. Then God opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said, “What have I done to you that you have hit me three times?”
God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he finally saw the angel. He bowed down and said, “I have sinned.” Balaam learned that his donkey had been trying to save his life, and he went on to see King Balak, saying only the words God gave him.
Read It Together
Numbers 22:22-23
22 God’s anger burned because he went; and the LORD’s angel placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the path.
(WEB)
Point out that God was watching even when Balaam did not see Him. Ask the children to notice that the donkey could see the angel before Balaam could, and that the donkey was the one who saved him.
Numbers 22:28
The LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
(WEB)
Explain that God can use anything He wants to speak, even an animal. Show the children that God is powerful and can make even a donkey talk when He chooses to.
Numbers 22:38
Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.”
(WEB)
Help the children see that Balaam, at the end of the story, finally said that he would only speak the words God put in his mouth. Point out that this was the right choice, even after he had made many wrong ones.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God told Balaam not to go with the men at first?
- What did the donkey see that Balaam could not see at first?
- How did the donkey try to keep Balaam safe, even when he hit her?
- What is a time when someone offered you something to do something wrong?
- How can we listen to God when we are making choices every day?
Activity Ideas
Donkey Paper Plate Craft
You will need a paper plate, markers, glue, scissors, and cotton balls. Have each child draw a donkey face on the plate, then glue cotton balls on for fluffy ears or a mane. Talk while you work about how the donkey was brave enough to stop and protect Balaam. Let the children take their donkeys home to remember the story.
Stop and Go Game
Mark a line on the floor with masking tape, and have one child stand at the far end as the “angel.” Other children walk toward the line like Balaam riding his donkey. When the angel holds up a hand, everyone must freeze and listen for God’s voice. Play a few rounds, and talk about how we should stop when God asks us to.
Family Listening Jar
Find an empty jar and some paper strips. Each day for a week, write one way someone in your family listened to God or obeyed Him, and drop the strip in the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together at dinner. This gives your family a simple habit of looking for God’s guidance.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about His people even when they are surrounded by pressure and temptation. Balaam wanted money and honor more than he wanted to obey God, and the story warns us that wanting rewards can cloud our judgment. The chapter also reveals that God is sovereign over every situation, using even a donkey to get His message across.
Be careful not to make the donkey a symbol that children must memorize or treat as a rule for every situation. The story is about God’s power and faithfulness, not about teaching children to stop whenever they feel uncertain.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for always watching over us, even when we cannot see You. Help us listen to You more than to anyone who tries to tempt us with rewards. Help us to do what is right and follow You each day. Amen.
