In this lesson, children learn that God keeps his promises and takes care of every family, even when the family seems to have no one to speak for it. The lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God hears us when we ask for something fair, and he always keeps his promises to take care of his people.
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 children stand up and fold their hands together, then sweep their arms out wide like they are opening a gate. Say the verse together, and do the motion each time you say the word “possession.”
The Story: Numbers 27 for Kids
Long 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 those days, land usually passed down to sons, so these sisters worried they would get nothing when their family received its share of the land.
The five sisters went to Moses, the priest Eleazar, the leaders, and the whole gathering of people at the Tent of Meeting. They stood together and spoke bravely. “Our father died in the wilderness. Why should his name disappear from his family just because he had no son? Please give us land among our father’s brothers.”
Moses took their question to God. God answered Moses plainly. “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. Give them the land their father would have received.” God also made a rule for the whole nation. If a man had no son, his land would go to his daughter. This was a fair law for every family in Israel.
Soon after, God told Moses that he would soon die, just as his brother Aaron had. God asked Moses to climb a mountain and look at the land God was giving to his people. Moses did not want the people to be left without a leader, so he prayed. “Please give the people a new leader, so they will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
God chose Joshua, the son of Nun, to lead the people after Moses. Joshua was a man who had the Spirit of God with him. Moses placed his hands on Joshua and gave him the job in front of all the people. Everyone saw it, and they knew they should follow Joshua. Moses did just as God had told him.
Read It Together
Numbers 27:1-2
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…
(WEB)
Point out that the five sisters came together and spoke up for their family. Ask children what they notice about how the sisters asked for help, and remind them that it is good to speak respectfully when we want something fair.
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 children that God said the sisters spoke right, and that God made a fair rule for families. Explain that God cares about what is fair and right for every person, including girls and women.
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 to the way Moses gave Joshua a special job in front of everyone. Explain that God chooses people to lead, and that a good leader gets help and blessing from God.
Talk About It
- How do you think the five sisters felt when they stood in front of all the leaders to ask for help?
- Why do you think God wanted the sisters to get their father’s land?
- What is something fair that you have asked for, and how did your family or teacher respond?
- How do you think Moses felt about having to hand his job to someone else?
- What can we learn from Joshua about being ready to lead when someone asks us to?
Activity Ideas
Five Sisters Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or colored pencils, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple picture of a family standing together, with five girls in the picture. Have them write one word on the page that describes how the sisters acted, such as brave, fair, or kind. Talk about how they can be brave when they ask for something good.
Shepherd and Sheep Game
You will need a blindfold or a cloth to cover eyes, and a few stuffed animals to act as sheep. Pick one child to be the shepherd and have the others be sheep. Blindfold the sheep and have the shepherd call them, so they learn to follow a voice they trust. Explain that God is a good shepherd who guides his people.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a small piece of tape or a ribbon. Have each child write “God keeps his promises” on one side and draw a small picture of their family on the other. Ask them to tape or tie the card to something they will see each day, like a backpack or bedroom door. Encourage them to read it with their family before bed.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about justice and inheritance, and that he listens when people, including women, come to him with a fair request. It also shows that God provides leaders for his people when a season of life comes to an end, and that leadership is given by God through the appointment of Moses.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that every request will be granted just because it sounds fair. The story shows God answering a specific situation within the law of his people, so keep the focus on God’s character and faithfulness rather than on promising that asking will always get us what we want.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for listening when we ask for something fair. Help us be brave like the sisters, and help us trust you to take care of our families. Thank you for always keeping your promises to us. Amen.
