This lesson teaches children that God wants His people to be fair, honest, and obedient, even when the job is hard. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God cares about what is right and fair, and He wants us to keep our hearts clean before Him, even when we are tempted to keep things for ourselves.
Memory Verse
Numbers 31:7
They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses. They killed every male.
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with feet apart, then raise both arms up like a strong soldier and say “The LORD commanded it!” Have them repeat the motion three times so the words stick.
The Story: Numbers 31 for Kids
God spoke to Moses and told him that the people of Israel needed to deal with the Midianites. The Midianites had caused a lot of trouble and had led many Israelites away from God. So Moses chose one thousand men from each tribe to go to war, twelve thousand men in all. Phinehas, the priest’s son, went with them, carrying the holy trumpets.
The soldiers did what God asked. They defeated the Midianites, and the children of Israel took back what had been taken from them. When the soldiers came back to camp, Moses was not happy. He said, “Have you let all the women live? These women caused our people to turn away from God!” Moses told the soldiers to take care of the people and things that were clean and to make everything ready before coming into the camp.
Then God told Moses to count everything that had been taken in the battle. Everyone had to share fairly. Half went to the soldiers, and half went to the rest of the people. Then the soldiers and the people each gave a small part back to God as a thank-you gift. The priests received this gift, and it was shared with the Levites who served at God’s tent.
The leaders came to Moses with a gift of gold jewelry. They said, “We counted our men, and not one of us is missing! We want to give this gold to the LORD as an offering to show that we are thankful.” Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold and brought it into the Tent of Meeting, so that God’s people would always remember what He had done for them.
Read It Together
Numbers 31:3-4
3 Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD’s vengeance on Midian. 4 Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the war.”
(WEB)
Point out that Moses told the people to go to war because God had commanded it. Explain that the people listened and obeyed, even though it was a serious task. Ask children why listening to God’s words matters.
Numbers 31:25-27
25 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation; 27 and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.
(WEB)
Show the children how God wanted everything divided fairly between the soldiers and the rest of the people. Explain that God cares about fairness and that every person in the community had a place and a share.
Numbers 31:48-50
48 The officers who were over the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, came near to Moses. 49 They said to Moses, “Your servants have taken the sum of the men of war who are under our command, and there lacks not one man of us. 50 We have brought the LORD’s offering, what every man has gotten, of jewels of gold, armlets, and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for our souls before the LORD.”
(WEB)
Point out how the leaders came to Moses honestly and said that not one of their men was missing. Explain that they wanted to give God a thankful gift from their hearts, which shows that honesty and gratitude go together.
Talk About It
- What does it look like to obey God when following Him is hard?
- Why do you think God wanted everyone to share fairly after the battle?
- How did the leaders show that they were grateful to God?
- Why is it important to tell the truth, even when no one else would know?
- What is one way you can give thanks to God this week?
Activity Ideas
Gold Thank-You Medal Craft
You will need paper plates, gold paint or gold foil paper, glue, and yarn. Have each child decorate a paper plate with gold paint or foil, then write or draw one thing they are thankful to God for. Punch two holes at the top and tie yarn through them to make a medal to wear or hang up at home.
Fair Share Game
Gather about 20 small items like pennies, buttons, or cereal pieces. Have the children stand in a circle and split the items so that everyone gets an equal share. Talk about how God wants everyone treated fairly. Then let the children take turns passing a small pile to show sharing and teamwork.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a marker. Ask them to write or draw one way they will obey God this week, such as sharing a toy or telling the truth. Help them tape the card to a bedroom mirror or the fridge so the family can remember it together during the week.
Teacher Notes
Numbers 31 describes a real war in which Israel carried out God’s command against the Midianites, a people who had led Israel into idolatry. For adults, the chapter shows that God takes sin seriously and that His people are called to act with justice, integrity, and gratitude, all within the larger story of God’s faithfulness to Israel.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the violence in this chapter or presenting it as a model for how people should treat others today. Focus instead on obedience, fairness, honesty, and thankfulness, and let children know that the Bible’s wider message is about God’s love and peace.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for caring about what is right and fair. Help us to listen to You, to share with others, and to tell the truth, even when it is hard. Help us remember to thank You for all You give us. Amen.
