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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 47 “Joshua: The Courage to Lead”

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Featured Passage: Deuteronomy 31-34, Joshua 1

The Children of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for forty years and it was finally time to go into the land God promised them. Moses was now one hundred and twenty years old! He had lived a long and very exciting life, but God would not allow him to enter the Promised Land. It was time for Moses to sleep and await the resurrection. God gave Joshua the charge to lead Israel, but before Joshua could take on his new role, God had a few things to say to him.

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). What did God tell Moses to do to ensure an orderly transition of leadership? (Numbers 27 gives some more details about this as well)
  • What jobs did Joshua have over the forty-year period which trained him for leading Israel? 
  • What was one of the last things Moses told Joshua before he died?
  • What is courage? Does being courageous mean we are never afraid? What does it mean to be strong and courageous? From where do we ultimately get our strength?

Memory Challenge: 

Deuteronomy 31:7 

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 46 “Moses’ Mistake”

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Featured Passage: Numbers 20

The Israelites rebelled against God when they were supposed to go into the land God promised them, so as a punishment God made them wander in the desert for forty years. They were now getting close to the end of that time, but it seemed the people had not changed very much – they still complained and complained. One day, the congregation was made to camp in a place where there was no water. Instead of asking God for help, they were angry and complained to Moses and Aaron. God told Moses to gather the people together to witness a special miracle that God was going to perform to bring water from a rock. God had done this miracle before, only this time He wanted Moses to speak to the rock instead of hitting it with his staff as he had before. Moses was so angry with the people for all their complaining that he made a hasty mistake – a mistake which would change the course of his life. 

Discuss: 

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  1. Why do you think the people were the people complaining about not having water? What would it be like to be in the desert without water? 
  2. Why do you suppose the people didn’t ask God for help when they were in trouble? Why is it important that we ask God to help us when we are in trouble?
  3. What were God’s instructions to Moses and Aaron? What did Moses and Aaron actually do? 
  4. Why was God so angry with Moses? Have a look at Numbers 20:10. Was Moses giving God the credit for causing the miracle? What should have Moses said?
  5. What was Moses’ punishment for his mistake? What lessons can we learn from this story? 

Memory Challenge: 

Numbers 20:12

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 45 “Joshua and the Spies”

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Featured Passage: Numbers 13-14

A man named Hosea,  who Moses called Joshua, was from the tribe of Ephraim. Joshua was already used by God in the wilderness as an assistant to Moses at Mount Sinai and as a leader of troops in a victorious battle against the Amalekites! Now the Israelites were coming close to the entrance to the land God promised them and it was time for Joshua to help out again – this time as a spy! Joshua and eleven other spies were sent into the land to see what the land was like and what kind of people lived there. When they returned, the group brought with them delicious fruit, exciting news of the land, and a disagreement that would impact the lives of every person in Israel.  

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • The Amalekites attacked Israel near the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 17:8-16). What job did Moses give Joshua in Israel’s first battle?
  • How did Joshua assist Moses at Mount Sinai? (Exodus 24; 32)
  • Why was Joshua chosen as one of the spies? 
  • When the spies came back what did they say about the land and the people they saw? What did the spies recommend? What did Joshua and Caleb recommend? How difficult do you think it was for them to stand up against the crowd? 
  • What was Israel’s punishment for refusing to go into the promised land?

Memory Challenge: 

Numbers 14:8-9

“If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 44 “The Golden Calf”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 24 & 32

Moses went to the top of the mountain where God gave him detailed instructions on God’s law and constructing the tabernacle. God also wrote the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone and gave them to him. While Moses was away for 40 days, the people began to wonder when he would return. Not knowing what had happened to Moses, the people took matters into their own hands. 

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • The people had made a covenant with God saying they would do everything that God told them to do. Did they really keep their word?
  • What was Aaron’s role in creating the idol? Why did Aaron participate in the worship of an idol? Did God hold Aaron accountable for his actions (Exodus 32:21–25; Deuteronomy 9:20)?
  • What was Moses’ reaction to Israel’s sin? Was it wrong for Moses to be angry? What are the limitations God puts on human anger (Ephesians 4:26)?
  • There are always consequences for sin. What are some of the consequences for Israel’s worship of the golden calf?

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 19:5–6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 43 “God Speaks to Israel”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 20

God wanted to enter into a special relationship with Israel, but they had to agree. He planned to speak the terms of the agreement to Israel directly. The most magnificent fireworks display could not compare to what the people saw, and the loudest thunder storm would diminish in comparison to what they heard that day. Could the people, sinful as they were, stand before the Creator and live? What was so important that God wanted to say it Himself? 

Discuss:

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Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • The sights and sounds were truly amazing that day. What did the people hear? What did they see? What things do you think they felt?
  • The people heard God’s voice, but they did not actually see God. Whose was the voice which they heard? 
  • Why are each of the commandments important? How do you think the world would be different if everyone kept these ten laws? 
  • The people were very afraid while God was speaking, even Moses was shaking in his sandals (Hebrews 12:18–21). How do you think we would feel if we were there?
  • In the end, the people did not want God to speak with them anymore. 

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 20:20

And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 42 “Israel Prepares to Meet God”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 19

When Moses and the children of Israel left Egypt, they began their journey toward Mt. Sinai just as God had instructed (Exodus 3:12). They arrived at Mt. Sinai, the mountain of God, a few weeks after departing Egypt. God announced to Moses that He would speak to the Israelites from a thick cloud around the mountain. But they were required to prepare themselves. What did the Israelites need to do to prepare to meet God? Would they finally see the God who delivered them from the most powerful nation on the earth?

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • God proposed a covenant with Israel. What does it mean to be in a covenant?
  • There was a lot of excitement in the camp with the anticipation of meeting the Creator. How would we feel if we had the opportunity to meet God like the Israelites did?
  • Why did the Israelites have to clean-up before meeting God? Why do we wear our best clothes to Sabbath services?
  • In what ways was God’s presence announced to Israel? How did God get the attention of the people?
  • What were some of the conditions of God’s covenant with Israel?

Memory Challenge:

Exodus 19:5–6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

L2.42-Israel-Prepares-to-Meet-GodDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 41 “Water From the Rock”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 17:1-7

As the Israelites traveled across the wilderness toward the promised land, they came to a place called Rephidim. They discovered that there was no water there, and the people and their animals were very thirsty. They complained again, and blamed  Moses for bringing them into the wilderness to die of thirst. Time and again they had tested God with their complaining and lack of faith. The people didn’t seem to be thankful for what God had already done for them. Would He help them out again, even with their bad attitudes? 

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.com
  • Testing God is not a small matter. What does it mean to “test God”? 
  • The people contended with Moses. To contend means to struggle against, to oppose, or to debate—to fight. In what way did the Israelites contend with Moses? Do we sometimes contend with others? What can we do to make sure we don’t?
  • God demonstrated great patience and mercy in dealing with Israel. What are some other character traits that God showed when working with Israel?
  • Imagine what it would be like in a desert wilderness with no food or water. If you were in their shoes, what would you have done? 
  • God instructed Moses to strike the rock to bring forth water. No matter what rock, no matter what type of device you use, you can strike a rock all day, and no water will come out. Do you think this miracle would help the Israelites remember Who was taking care of them? 

Memory Challenge:

Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 40 “What Is It?”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 16

About a month after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived at a place called the Wilderness of Sin. They were running  out of food and getting hungry. Again, instead of asking God for help, they complained to Moses. The people were forgetting the promises that God had given them. They still did not trust God to take care of them. Even though they did not have the right attitude, God still loved His people, and He was about to give them something to eat that no one had ever heard of before!

Discuss:

 Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • The people blamed Moses and Aaron, saying they brought them out of Egypt to die of hunger. What should they have done?
  • God does not like complaining. One way we can learn not to complain is by being thankful.  What could the Israelites have been thankful for? 
  • God gave the Israelites food which they called “manna,” which means “what is it?” What do you think it would be like to be given food straight from God every day? Do you think it tasted good? 
  • Gathering manna would have been hard work. God showed the Israelites which day is the Sabbath by not giving them manna on the seventh day. Why didn’t God want them gathering their food on the Sabbath? How did God make sure they had enough to eat on the Sabbath day? 

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 16:4

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 39 “Bitter Water Made Sweet”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 15:22-27

God saved Israel by bringing them through the Red Sea, protected from Pharaoh and His army. After a great victory celebration, the Israelites continued their journey. They traveled for three days, but they started running out of water. After seeing so many miracles, you would think that the people would look to God to help them, right? 

What did they actually do? 

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • Israel had witnessed many miracles that God had done, but they started forgetting them. Do you ever forget things? What helps you remember?
  • The people complained to Moses because the water was at Marah was bitter. What should the people have done – instead of complaining? 
  • In this difficult situation, Moses didn’t complain. Instead, what did He do?
  • Making the bitter water sweet was another example of God’s miracles that preserved and protected Israel. This is a good time to think back on God’s other miracles. What were some of those miracles? 

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 15:26

If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.

L2.39-Bitter-Water-Made-SweetDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 38 “Between the Army and the Sea”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 13-15

God brought the children of Israel out of slavery with many miracles. They were finally headed for the land God promised them. God led the people across the wilderness to edge of the Red Sea where they stopped to camp. In the meantime, Pharaoh changed his mind again! He was angry that he had let his slaves go, so he sent his army after the Israelites. Israel was about to be trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea. How would they escape? God had a plan to save them, but how?

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • When the Israelites saw Pharaoh’s army coming, what did they say? What did Moses do? 
  • God worked many miracles to deliver Israel from Egypt. Why were they still afraid? 
  • The Israelites walked through the Red Sea between walls of water on dry ground. What do you imagine the Israelites may have seen?
  • The Egyptian army thought they could cross over the Red Sea just as Israel did. What happened next?
  • How did the Israelites react when they reached the other side of the Red Sea?

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 14:16 “But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

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