WELCOME TO WEEK 2

Can you think of people that you trust? Do you trust your mom and dad? The bible says we can trust God, more than anyone else! He will always be there to help us. This week we will read a story of 2 men that trusted God, even when others around them didn’t.

BIBLE STORY

Let’s practice a few trust activities together. I’m going to toss this ball to you, so you can catch it, do you trust me? (Give them a chance to answer yes, then toss the ball in a way that helps them successfully catch the ball). Now, I’m going to share a snack with you (goldfish, gummy bear, etc), do you trust me? (share a small snack). I’m going to spin you around in a circle, but I won’t let you fall, do you trust me? (Carefully spin them while holding their hand or catching them at the shoulders). Now, I want you to turn around and fall backwards and I will catch you so you won’t fall, do you trust me? Let them fall backwards while you stand only a few feet away ready to catch their shoulders as they fall. Was that hard or easy for you to trust that I would catch you? Was it easier to trust the first few things we did? Although sometimes we don’t always trust those around us, we can always trust God. We are learning this week that we can always trust God!

The Israelites also found it hard to trust God sometimes, but there were 2 men who trusted God to keep his word even when it seemed really hard. 

Read or listen to the Bible story for the week: Numbers 13:2-14:9

Who did Moses send to explore the land of Canaan? (12 men including Caleb and Joshua)

What was there report when they came back? (The land was filled with milk and honey, and the people were large in size)

What did the 12 men bring back from exploring the land? (First harvest of grapes, pomegranates and figs)

Who thought they should still go into the land and take what God had promised them? (Joshua and Caleb)

What did the Israelites think they should do? (Find a new leader and return to Egypt)

What did Joshua tell the Israelites? (that if the lord was pleased with them, he would lead them into the land… do not rebel against the lord and do not be afraid of the people there)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

In the Promised land God provided good food and land. Joshua and Caleb saw God was providing this and giving it to the Israelites. They trusted that God would continue to be with them and deliver them to the land he had promised. We can trust that God has delivered us too! We can trust God will keep his promises. 

Activity

Complete this “Walk the room”. Print and cut out the picture cards and place them around your room. Have your child walk around the room to find the posted pictures and then color the corresponding picture on their activity sheet.

Materials: plastic bag, book or magazine, balloon, fan

Alternative:

Go on a scavenger hunt walk as a family. Just as Joshua and Caleb trusted God would take care of them and lead them to take the promise land, we can trust that God has provided for us. On your nature walk fill in the following Bingo card and see if you can discover several things from the card during your walk.

Materials: Printed nature Bingo card

Independent:

The Israelites walked across the desert, which is full of sand. If you have a sandbox bury several plastic toy food items for your child to dig and discover. An alternate to a sandbox is a large container filled with dry rice or beans.

Materials: Sandbox, plastic toy food items. Alt: dry rice or beans, large container

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create a cluster of grapes. Use purple paper and cut out circles. Use green paper to cut out green leaves. Attach the cluster of grapes to the leaves. Alternate option: use white sheet of paper and color the grapes and leaves.

Materials: purple, green construction paper

CRAFT 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring page

FOLLOW-UP

Have you ever been excited to try something new and yet afraid at the same time?

Think of some times when that has happened such as learning to ride a bike without training wheels. What about meeting a new friend but being afraid of what you will say?

When you are afraid of something new, what could you do?

How can God help you when you are afraid?

What does it mean to trust God?

Can you trust God to help you when you have a big problem you can’t solve?

Can you trust God to help you when your problem seems too small for God to care about?

Practical Application at Home

We can trust God even when we don’t see how he will fix our problem. God has provided us with parents who we can also trust to help guide us. In all types of situations we can trust God to love us, care for us, protect us, and forgive us. I’m going to say a few statements and you can respond by saying “I can trust God” if you think it is something you can trust God with. Say it loud and clear! Ready?

-When I am afraid…. I can trust God!

-When I am alone… I can trust God!

-When I’m feeling sad… I can trust God!

-When I’ve done something wrong… I can trust God!

-When I am happy… I can trust God!

-When I am little… I can trust God!

-When I am a grown-up… I can trust God!

God will always be with you and you can always trust Him. Caleb and Joshua trusted God would keep His promises, even when no one else believed. We can also trust that God will take care of us too!

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Go to a park and spend time in worship and prayer. Ask God to show you ways to trust him and listen to his voice.