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Before You Teach
Teacher Quick Brief
A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.
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Before You Teach
Teacher Quick Brief
A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.
Teacher Quick Brief
What This Week Is About
The children of Israel sometimes complained and felt scared, but the Lord still loved them and guided them. The Lord taught them to follow His prophet Moses and to choose faith instead of fear. The Lord also gave them a simple way to be healed: look and live.
Main Points To Teach
- Heavenly Father helps me when I choose faith instead of fear (Numbers 14:8–9).
- The Lord wants me to follow His prophet (Numbers 12:6–8).
- I can look to Jesus Christ, and He can heal me (Numbers 21:8).
What Is Happening In The Scripture Story
Israel complains about food (Numbers 11). Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses, and the Lord teaches that Moses has a special calling to lead (Numbers 12). Spies search the promised land; most feel scared, but Joshua and Caleb ask the people to trust the Lord (Numbers 13–14). Later, fiery serpents bite the people; the Lord tells Moses to lift up a brass serpent so whoever looks will live (Numbers 21:8–9).
Why It Matters For Younger Primary
Little children need simple, happy reassurance: “Heavenly Father helps me. Jesus helps me.” Keep it concrete, looking, following, choosing, so they can do something small that matches the scripture message.
Full Lesson Flow
Teaching Outline
Work through the lesson in order, with each section building on the last.
Happy Opening
“Look Up!” Smile Game (Interactive Discussion + Movement) Have everyone stand. Say: “When I say ‘LOOK!’ we look up. When I say ‘FEAR!’ we put hands on cheeks like ‘uh-oh.’ When I say ‘FAITH!’ we put hands on heart.” Practice fast for 30 seconds.
Say: “Today we will learn that when we feel scared, we can choose faith and look to Jesus to help us.”
Simple Scripture Story
Props: a toy snake (or pipe cleaner), a paper “pole” (rolled paper), and a small paper heart.
- The people complained. Briefly explain: “The children of Israel were traveling. Sometimes they forgot blessings and complained (Numbers 11).”
- Follow the prophet. Tell how Miriam and Aaron questioned Moses. Explain simply: “The Lord taught that Moses was His special leader.” Read just the key part:
“If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6) “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:8)
Ask: “Who did the Lord want them to listen to?” (Moses.)
- Faith instead of fear. Explain: “Spies saw the promised land. Some were scared. Joshua and Caleb said to trust the Lord.” Read:
“If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.” (Numbers 14:8) “Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land…” (Numbers 14:9)
- Look and live. Use the snake and pole. Tell: “Later, snakes bit the people. The Lord gave a way to be healed.” Read:
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” (Numbers 21:8)
Let children take turns “looking” at the paper serpent on the pole.
Big Idea
I can look to Jesus Christ with faith, and He will help me. (Repeat it together 3 times, whisper/normal/loud.)
Wiggle and Learn Activities
1) “Faith Steps” Path (Physical Activity)
Materials: 6–8 paper footprints on the floor. Do:
- Put footprints in a line.
- Children hop from print to print saying: “Faith!” Say: “Joshua and Caleb chose faith (Numbers 14:8–9). We can choose faith too.” Connect: “Now let’s practice looking to Jesus, like in the snake story.”
2) “Look and Live” Hide-and-Find (Game)
Materials: small picture of a heart or Jesus (simple drawing), hide it on a wall. Do:
- Children cover eyes. Hide the picture.
- They open eyes and look for it. When they find it, everyone points and says: “Look!” Say: “The Lord said, ‘when he looketh upon it, shall live’ (Numbers 21:8). Looking is simple!” Connect: “Let’s make something to help us remember to look to Jesus.”
3) “My Faith Heart” Craft (Hands-On Craft)
Materials: paper hearts, crayons, stickers. Do:
- Each child colors a heart.
- On the heart, draw eyes (to remember “look”) and a smile. Say: “When I feel scared, I can look to Jesus with faith.” Connect: “Now we’ll see a picture that helps us remember the story.”
4) “Prophet Follow” Mini-March (Music & Movement)
Materials: none. Do:
- Teacher leads a short march around the room.
- Children copy simple actions: hands on heart, point up, gentle walking. Say: “The Lord guided His people through His prophet Moses (Numbers 12:6–8). We can follow the prophet today.” Connect: “Let’s sit for Picture Time.”
Picture Time
Gospel Art Book: Moses and the Brass Serpent Ask:
- “What do you see Moses holding up?”
- “What did the Lord promise if they looked?” (Numbers 21:8)
- “When you feel worried, what can you do?” (Look to Jesus with faith.)
Song and Actions
Song: “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook) Actions:
- Point forward on “follow.”
- Hands shading eyes on “prophet” (we’re watching/listening).
- Hands on heart on “He knows the way.”
(If time, sing once fast, once slow.)
Jesus Loves Me Moment
Hold up the paper heart from the story. Softly repeat the Big Idea: “I can look to Jesus Christ with faith, and He will help me.” Invite a few children to finish one sentence:
- “I can be like Jesus when I ______.”
- “I can show faith when I ______.”
Take-Home Hug
This week, when you feel scared or upset, look up and say a short prayer: “Heavenly Father, please help me.”
Teacher Survival Tips
- Keep it moving: If they get wiggly, jump back to the “LOOK/FEAR/FAITH” actions for 10 seconds, then continue.
- Short turns: For games, let each child have a 3–5 second turn, then everyone does the action together.
- Repeat the Big Idea often: Say it between every activity so the lesson stays connected even if attention wanders.