Scripture: Numbers 21
- Students will learn that although God is very patient with us, eventually He can grow weary of our rebellion.
- Students will learn there are sometimes earthly consequences for our sins.
- Students will learn when Christians repent, God forgives our sins, but He may or may not remove any earthly consequences.
- Students will review how to write step by step instructions.
Guiding Question: How can we write instructions for others to follow?
Materials: Paper, pencil
Procedure: Review the story of the bronze serpent with the students. Point out that had the people trusted God and not complained about what He was asking them to do, God probably would not have sent the snakes to punish them. Even when He did though, He gave them a way to be healed by looking to God (who supplied the bronze serpent cure) for the answer to their problems. Remind students there are consequences for our sins that can affect us and even other people. Even when we repent, we may still have to deal with negative consequences. God can still forgive us but we still may have consequences to learn the lesson from our sins.
Introduce the activity. Review how to write instructions for how to do something. Bring up the example of making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Have the students help you write specific instructions for how to make the sandwich. Then have students practice writing instructions for something they know how to do. Allow students to share and help them add in more specific steps if needed.
Additional Questions: How can students review writing instructions?
Supplemental Activity: Have students create a new invention and have them write step by step instructions for how to use it.