The Bronze Snake. Leader BIBLE STUDY. March 13. care of us.

Transcription

1 UNIT 7 Session 2 Use Week of: March 13 The Bronze Snake 2 BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9 MAIN POINT: God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. KEY PASSAGE: Joshua 1:9 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. SMALL GROUP OPENING (10 15 MINUTES) PAGE 26 LARGE GROUP BIBLE STUDY (25 30 MINUTES) PAGE 28 SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25 30 MINUTES) PAGE 34 Leader BIBLE STUDY The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness when they started to complain to Moses and to God. God had done some pretty amazing things for the Israelites He rescued them from the hand of Pharaoh, He parted the Red Sea so they could safely cross, and He provided manna for them to eat. But to the Israelites, it wasn t enough. God punished them because He knew their dissatisfaction was a sign of a bigger issue: a heart problem, a sin problem. They stopped believing that God is good. In their hearts, the Israelites believed the same lie that rattled Eve in the garden. Maybe God isn t interested in giving us what is best. Maybe He is holding out on us. 22 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

2 God sent poisonous snakes that bit the people and killed many of them. The Israelites repented. They wanted Moses to ask God to take away the snakes. God provided a solution. He told Moses, Make a snake image out of bronze and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover. In John 3:14, Jesus said, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. What was Jesus talking about? Second Corinthians 5:21 says, He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. So Jesus invites us, Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other (Isa. 45:22). 2 As you teach kids, emphasize the problem that all of us face: we aren t just sick; because of our sin, we deserve death. Then rejoice with them over the cure: Jesus, the sinless Savior, became sin for us and was lifted up on the cross in our place. We must do nothing but look to Him to be saved. Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit God the Savior 23

3 The BIBLE STORY The Bronze Snake Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9 The Israelites refused to go into the promised land, so God punished them and made them wander in the wilderness. The Israelites grumbled and complained. When the Israelites set up camp, they complained that they did not have water to drink. God told Moses and Aaron to stand in front of all the people and speak to a rock. God said water would come out of the rock. Moses called the people together, but instead of talking to the rock, Moses hit the rock two times with his staff. The water came out, but God was angry that Moses and Aaron disobeyed Him. God said Moses and Aaron would not lead the Israelites into the promised land. The Israelites continued through the wilderness. Moses sent messengers to ask the king of Edom if the Israelites could travel through his land. But the people of Edom replied, No! If you come to our land, we will fight you! So the Israelites had to travel around Edom. The journey was long, and they grumbled and complained. Why have you led us from Egypt to die in the wilderness? they asked. We have no bread or water! The food we have is no good! God sent poisonous snakes that bit the Israelites, and many of the people died. They realized they had sinned by complaining to God, so they told Moses, We know we have sinned. Please ask God to take the snakes away. Moses interceded for the people. He spoke to God for them. Then God told Moses, Make a snake image and put it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, 24 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

4 he will recover. Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, that person looked at the bronze snake, and he recovered. Christ Connection: The Israelites faced a huge problem because of their sin. God sent snakes to punish Israel, but anyone who was bitten could look at the snake on the pole and live. Because of our sin, we face a huge problem: we are separated from God. We deserve to die, but anyone who looks to Jesus on the cross and trusts in Him will live forever with God. WANT TO DISCOVER GOD S WORD? GET BIBLE EXPRESS! Invite kids to check out this week s devotionals to discover that the bronze snake points to Jesus being lifted onto a cross to take away our sin. Jesus calls us, as believers, to pick up our cross and follow Him. (See Luke 9:23.) Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly, or purchase individually. For more information, check out devotionals. God the Savior 25

5 Small Group OPENING SESSION TITLE: The Bronze Snake BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9 MAIN POINT: God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. KEY PASSAGE: Joshua 1:9 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. As kids arrive, allow them to share something that happened this past week that made them happy and something that made them complain. Invite kids to share what they grumble or complain about most. Why? SAY Today s Bible story is about what happened to the Israelites when they grumbled and complained against God. The Israelites were in the wilderness and God had provided so much for them, but they still complained. Bronze Snake Word Search activity page, 1 per kid pencils or markers Activity page (5 minutes) Invite kids to complete the Bronze Snake Word Search on the activity page. Prompt kids to circle each of the key words in the word search. SAY Each of these words is related to today s Bible story. Does anyone have any ideas what story we might hear today? 26 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

6 Session starter (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Grateful or grumbling Guide boys and girls to sit in a circle. SAY I am going to announce a scenario. If the situation would make you unhappy, cross your arms and say, Grumble, grumble, grumble. If it would make you happy, stand and shout, Hurray! Call out several scenarios. For example: A heavy snowstorm cancels school for a week. Your dad asks you to take out the trash. You have to share your room with your little sister. SAY In today s Bible story, the Israelites forgot all the wonderful things God had done for them, and they complained. Do you think God was happy to hear them complain? Listen to today s Bible story to find out what happened. LOW PREP Transition to large group God the Savior 27

7 Large Group LEADER SESSION TITLE: The Bronze Snake BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9 MAIN POINT: God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. KEY PASSAGE: Joshua 1:9 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. leader attire name tag Bible labeled box (Note: This box will be used each week.) Introduce the session (3 minutes) [Large Group Leader enters wearing a name tag and carrying a Bible. Leader is dressed in a solid-colored polo shirt, khaki pants, and a sun or safari hat. A box labeled CAUTION: LIVE ANIMALS is positioned at the front of the room. Approach the box. Carefully lift a corner of the lid and then quickly close the box.] LEADER Eeek! [Address kids.] Hi, everyone! I am so glad you are here today to see that um incredible creature in the box. Wow, I m not sure there is anything else quite like it! Have any of you ever been to a petting zoo? Well, I m not sure you d want to pet this. In fact, we should probably have this in a glass aquarium instead of a cardboard box! Anyway, this animal has to do with our Bible story today. It makes a lot of people nervous, and understandably so! Any guesses as to what this animal might be? [Allow kids to guess.] I ll give you 28 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

8 a hint: There are more than 3,000 species of this animal in the world. The smallest one is less than 4 inches long, and the biggest one can be more than 30 feet long! Incredible! Any ideas? (snake) Now, before I tell you more, let s take a step back to look at the big picture. Giant timeline (1 minute) LEADER Do you remember what happened when Moses sent spies into the promised land? Who was living there? (other people who were tall and strong) Were the Israelites excited to go into the promised land? No! In fact, they were afraid. The Israelites did not trust God to give them the promised land. So God punished them and made them wander around in the wilderness for 40 years. Today s Bible story took place while the Israelites were still in the wilderness. Apparently they hadn t learned their lesson because they still complained about God. They still didn t trust Him! Giant Timeline Big picture question (1 minute) LEADER Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. That s right. Now I ll ask the question, and you give the answer. Whom can we trust? [Pause for kids to respond.] Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Open your Bible to Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video The Bronze Snake. LEADER The Israelites wandered in the wilderness as Bibles The Bronze Snake video Big Picture Question Poster Bible Story Picture Poster God the Savior 29

9 punishment for not trusting God. They grumbled that they did not have water to drink. They complained that the food they had was no good. They accused Moses of leading them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. Guide kids to discuss the following questions: 1. Were the Israelites wrong to complain? Why or why not? 2. What did God do to save the people from the deadly snakes? 3. What has God done to provide salvation from our sins so we can have eternal life? LEADER The Israelites were not happy with what God provided for them. They sinned by complaining to God and not trusting Him to take care of them. Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. God punished the Israelites by sending poisonous snakes, but did God stop loving them? No. God punished them for their sins, but He also showed them mercy and provided the way for the people to be healed. God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. The Israelites faced a huge problem because of their sin. God sent snakes to punish Israel, but anyone who was bitten could look at the snake on the pole and live. Because of our sin, we face a huge problem: we are separated from God. We deserve to die, but anyone who looks to Jesus on the cross and trusts in Him will live forever with God. 30 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

10 The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Tip: Provide I m a Christian Now for new Christians to take home and complete with their families. Key passage (5 minutes) Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read together Joshua 1:9. LEADER God spoke these words to Joshua after Moses died. God called Joshua to lead His people into the promised land. This was a big job! Do you think Joshua was nervous about leading so many people? But God told him not to be afraid. Why? Because God was with him! Invite kids to act out motions for key words or phrases of Joshua 1:9 to help them memorize the verse. Boys and girls may make up their own actions, or use these actions: commanded Point forward. strong Flex arms. courageous Put hands on hips and hold up head. do not be afraid or discouraged Shake head. Lord your God Point upward. wherever you go Spread arms wide. Guide kids to perform the motions as they sing the key passage song, Wherever You Go, together. Key Passage Poster Wherever You Go song God the Savior 31

11 Pray (2 minutes) Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups. LEADER Lord God, You are so faithful even when we are not. You are right to punish our sin, but thank You for providing the way for us to be saved! Thank You for Jesus. We look to Him alone for our salvation. We love You. Amen. Dismiss to small groups 32 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

12 The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. God the Savior 33

13 Small Group LEADER SESSION TITLE: The Bronze Snake BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9 MAIN POINT: God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. KEY PASSAGE: Joshua 1:9 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. Key Passage Poster index cards marker yarn or string tape Bibles, 1 per kid Main Point Poster black construction paper, 16 sheets sidewalk chalk tape Key passage activity (5 minutes) Write words or phrases from the key passage on several index cards and attach them in random order to chairs. Display the key passage poster and guide kids to read it aloud. Then cover the poster. Give kids a length of string and challenge them to wrap the string around the chairs in the correct order of the key passage. Begin by tying one end of the string around the first chair. Then loop the string around other chairs until kids complete the verse. If time allows, instruct kids to say the verse backward as they unloop the string. SAY Who said these words? (The Lord said them to Joshua.) God enables His people to be strong and courageous. He is with us, and we can trust Him. Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Form two teams. Give each team eight sheets of black construction paper and a piece of sidewalk chalk. Instruct teams to nominate a writer to record the team s answers. Explain that you will ask a question about today s Bible story. Teams should agree on an answer, and the writer 34 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

14 should write the answer on the paper. When both teams finish, lead them to hold up their answers. If a team answers incorrectly, guide volunteers from each team to look up the Scripture reference to find the correct answer. 1. What did the Israelites complain about in the wilderness? (They had no water, Num. 20:2-4) 2. What did God tell Moses to do to the rock? (speak to it, Num. 20:8) 3. What did Moses do to the rock? (He hit it with his staff, Num. 20:11) 4. How did God punish Moses? (God did not allow Moses to enter the promised land, Num. 20:12) 5. Which king refused to allow the Israelites to travel through his land? (the king of Edom, Num. 20:14-18) 6. Why did God send poisonous snakes to the Israelites? (They sinned by complaining against Him, Num. 21:7) 7. What did God tell Moses to put on a pole? (a bronze snake, Num. 21:8) 8. How were the Israelites saved? (Anyone bitten by a snake would look at the bronze serpent and live, Num. 21:9) Tape correct answers to a focal wall to form the shape of a cross. Remind kids that the Israelites who were bitten by the snakes could look at the bronze snake and live. SAY The bronze snake reminds us of Jesus. Like the poisonous snakebites caused the people to die, we will all die because of sin. We can t heal ourselves of sin, but Jesus was lifted up on the cross like the snake on the pole. When we look to Him and trust Him as Lord and Savior, He saves us from our sin and gives us eternal life. Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script. Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God the Savior 35

15 LOW PREP long jump rope plastic wrap aluminum foil tape colored permanent markers poster board scissors Activity choice (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Snake jump Lay a long jump rope across the floor and invite two volunteers to kneel at each end of the rope. Instruct them to hold the ends of the rope and wiggle it back and forth like a snake in the grass. Direct the rest of the group to take turns jumping across the snake and moving to the other side of the room. If the rope touches a player, the player is bitten. Pause the game and lead boys and girls to answer the big picture question: Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. Or kids may say the Bible story main point in order to heal the player: God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. Continue play, allowing new volunteers to move the rope from side to side. For an extra challenge, add another rope so kids must jump over multiple snakes. OPTION 2: Stained glass cross Assist each kid in following these steps to create a stained glass cross: 1. Use tape to stretch and secure an 8-by-10-inch piece of plastic wrap on a table. 2. Use a black permanent marker to draw the outline of a cross on the plastic. Then turn over the plastic and use colored permanent markers to color in the cross with various patterns. 3. Gently crumple an 8-by-10-inch piece of aluminum foil and then open it flat. Lay the decorated plastic wrap over the foil. Securely tape the art to a piece of poster board. Encourage kids to display their art at home. 36 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 2

16 SAY God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. When you see this cross, remember today s Bible story. Like the Israelites were healed when they looked at the bronze snake, we are forgiven of our sin and receive eternal life when we look to Jesus, who died on the cross for our sin. God the Savior 37

17 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the L ORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Key Passage (ESV) Kids Unit LifeWay OK to Print

18 God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed. Main Point Kids Unit 7, Session LifeWay OK to Print

19 The Bronze Snake (Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9) Unit 7, Session LifeWay OK to Print

20 Think about a time you felt dissatisfied or disappointed. Draw a picture or write a few sentences describing the situation. How could you be thankful for that same situation? The Bronze Snake Numbers 20:1-20; 21:4-9 FOLD MAIN POINT: GOD TOLD HIS PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE BRONZE SNAKE TO BE HEALED. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS How were the Israelites healed? (They looked at the bronze snake.) Can people save themselves from sin? (No, only Jesus saves; John 14:6) When someone in your family grumbles, stop and thank God for caring for you. The Israelites refused to go into the promised land, so God punished them and made them wander in the wilderness. When the Israelites set up camp, they complained that they did not have water to drink. God told Moses and Aaron to stand in front of all the people and speak to a rock. God said water would come out of the rock. Instead of talking to the rock, Moses hit the rock two times with his staff. The water came out, but God was angry that Moses and Aaron disobeyed Him. God said Moses and Aaron would not lead the Israelites into the promised land. The Israelites continued through the wilderness. The journey was long, and they grumbled and complained. God sent poisonous snakes that bit the Israelites, and many of the people died. They realized they had sinned by complaining to God. Moses spoke to God for them. Then God told Moses, Make a snake image and put it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover. Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, that person looked at the bronze snake, and he recovered. Christ Connection: The Israelites faced a huge problem because of their sin. God sent snakes to punish Israel, but anyone who was bitten could look at the snake on the pole and live. Because of our sin, we face a huge problem: we are separated from God. We deserve to die, but anyone who looks to Jesus on the cross and trusts in Him will live forever with God. 3

21 Bronze Snake Word Search Find and circle the key words in the puzzle. C J W E X C Q V K N C A Z V Z L H P Y A K E S V S P I Z P Z D M I O N J J W P W G L V L T K C Q U Y J J N M V R D G V L P O B D O V I Q P U G N X R Z V U E R E D O M X L O S N F Z N S Q S C O B Q N A C M R S Q K O P A H Z O Y C A A L E I P F B N B V S R A E L I T E S Y K L Y E B T D L I E D H H T A P R O M I E D L A N D S W I B R O N Z E P A M R D P K T B H X I I A U S C H N D W K A U N H C J S Slithering Snakes Use the snake code to solve the secret message 4 Y

22 Whom can we trust? Big Picture Question and Answer Kids Unit LifeWay OK to Print

23 Whom can we trust? We can trust God to take care of us. Big Picture Question and Answer Kids Unit LifeWay OK to Print

24 Eastern Coral Snake Venomous Copperhead Venomous Cottonmouth Venomous Yellow-bellied Sea Snake Venomous Western Coral Snake Venomous Diamondback Rattlesnake Venomous Timber Rattlesnake Venomous Pygmy Rattlesnake Venomous Sidewinder Venomous Black Kingsnake Non-venomous Common Gartersnake Non-venomous Northern Watersnake Non-venomous God the Savior Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 7, Session LifeWay OK to Print Snake Match Cards Instructions: Print two copies on heavyweight paper. Cut apart the cards and use as directed in the leader guide.