Calm words are a tree of life

27

Lesson 27 - Numbers 11-14 - Grumbling and whining

This lesson we will learn the following 'step' which can be learned to the children to remember as truth for their lives


Related Step text to learn: Calm words are a tree of life
Related Step Bible text: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)

Questions

Share your hearts together by talking about the following subjects:
Extra questions:
  • Do you find it difficult to control your words?

Drawings

Jenske Visser -

Artist: Jenske Visser

Direct Bible References

Extra direct Bible references which expands or explain the same lesson.

  • Psalms 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
  • James 3:1-12 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.


Legend

Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent


  • A related Bible reference to the lesson which is negative, something you should not do
  • A related Bible reference to the lesson which is both positive and negative
  • A related Bible reference to the lesson which is positive, something you should do or learn from
  • A related Bible reference to the lesson which is not yet determined positive or negative

Games to Memorize the Steps with Drawings

Steps Memory

Turn cards over and match illustrations with corresponding Bible verses.

Steps Memory

Supplies:
  • A6-sized steps with illustrations and Bible verses on the front. The back is blank.
  • A4-sized steps with illustrations and Bible verses on the front. The back has the title of the step.

Preparation:
  • Form teams in pairs or groups.
  • Place a set of A6 steps with their backs up in random order on a table or on the floor. This forms the "Memory" part of the game.

Task:
  • Let the children play in teams or pairs against each other.
  • Players take turns flipping two cards from the "Memory" section, trying to find a matching set of an A4 card and an A6 card.
  • If a player finds a matching set, they show both cards to the group and identify the Bible verse and illustration.
  • For an extra point, they can also try to guess the corresponding title of the step to be learned.
  • If the cards do not form a set, they are flipped back with the back facing up, and the next player takes a turn.
  • The game continues until all matching sets are found.
  • The team or player with the most correct sets and titles wins the game.
Searching Steps

Hide cards with Bible verses and illustrations for children to find.

Searching Steps

Supplies:
  • A6-sized steps with illustrations and Bible verses on the front. The back is blank.

Task:
  • Divide the children into teams.
  • Let one team hide the A6 cards, making sure to count how many cards they hide.
  • Allow the other team to search for the cards in the hidden area, optionally setting a time limit.
  • Once a team finds a card, they must identify the corresponding step.
  • The team earns 1 point for correctly naming the step and 1 point for finding the step.
  • If a team doesn't know the step, the other team can guess and, if correct, earn 1 point.
  • When all cards are found or time is up, switch roles, and the team with the most points at the end wins.
Guess the Step

Guess which step matches a displayed drawing.

Guess the Step

Supplies:
  • A4-sized steps with illustrations and Bible verses on the front. The back has the title of the step.
  • A6-sized steps with illustrations and Bible verses on the front. The back is blank.

Preparation:
  • Place the large steps on the ground with the title facing up.
  • Prepare small steps (A6 size) that correspond to the large steps.

Task:
  • Have a child take turns showing a step, covering the Bible verse.
  • They must guess which title matches the displayed drawing. They earn a point if correct.
  • To make the game more challenging, children can also try to guess the corresponding Bible verse for an extra point.
  • The team with the most points wins.
Step Choice Challenge

Choose a drawing and provide hints, make a drawing, or use a 'forbidden word' to convey the step's meaning.

Steps Choice Challenge

Supplies:
  • Various steps printed with illustrations and Bible verses on the front. The back has the title of the step.

Preparation:
  • Form two teams.
  • Keep a stopwatch handy.

Task:
  • Give one small drawing to a child within a team so that no one can see the drawing.
  • The child receiving the drawing can choose how they want to convey the step to their team (you can also roll a die).
  • Acting: They can act out the step by making movements.
  • Drawing: They can try to draw the step without using words.
  • Forbidden Word: They can describe the step without using specific keywords from the step's title.
  • The team has 30 seconds to guess the step and name the corresponding title.
  • If the team manages to guess both the drawing and the step within 15 seconds, they earn 3 points.
  • If the team manages to guess both the drawing and the step between 15 and 30 seconds, they earn 2 points.
  • If the team can't guess the step within 30 seconds, the other team has the chance to guess and earn points.
  • The other team can try to guess the title of the step, but they can't see the drawing.
Step Theater

Act out a short story or play to convey the meaning of each step.

Steps Theater

Preparation:
  • Divide the children into pairs and give each pair a step (or show it via the website).

Task:
  • Have each pair come up with a short mini-story or play that depicts the meaning of the step.
  • The children in the pair can divide the roles and try to convey the message of the step in a creative and understandable way.
  • After the pairs have prepared their play, they present it to the rest of the children in the group.
  • After watching the play, the other children must guess which step is being portrayed.
  • The team that correctly guesses the step earns points.