The First Census of the Nation—Numbers 1:1–2:34
Topics: Administration, Citizenship, Direction, Divisions, Leadership, People, Tasks
Open It
1. *How many people are in your family?
2. What type of math are you best at?
3. What is scary about getting lost in a crowd?
Explore It
1. When did the Lord speak to Moses in the Desert of Sinai? (1:1)
2. *What did the Lord tell Moses to do regarding a census? (1:2)
3. How old did men have to be to serve in the army? (1:3)
4. *Who was to help Aaron and Moses with the census? (1:4–15)
5. What were the newly appointed leaders commanded to do? (1:17–19)
6. What was the total number of people from the twelve tribes? (1:45–46)
7. *Who was not included in the total count? (1:47)
8. What were the Levites told to be in charge of? (1:50–54)
9. Where were the Israelites told to camp? (2:1–2)
10. What tribes were told to camp on the east side of the Tent of Meeting? (2:3–9)
11. Who camped on the south side of the Tent of Meeting? (2:10–16)
12. Where were the Levites supposed to camp? (2:17)
13. On the west side of the Tent, what tribes were told to camp? (2:18–24)
14. Who was told to camp on the north side of the Tent of Meeting? (2:25–31)
15. What was the total number of Israelites who camped by their divisions? (2:32)
16. How did the Israelites follow the Lord’s commands through Moses’ leadership? (2:33–34)
Get It
1. How useful is strong leadership without good administration?
2. What was important to God about taking a census?
3. How did Moses’ men have a critical role in carrying out the Lord’s command?
4. *How did God show His concern for Israel by wanting individuals to be counted?
5. What is the purpose of a shepherd counting his sheep?
6. *What does accuracy in counting people enable a local church to do?
7. How was camp administration possible by assigning the tribes specific locations?
8. How is God pleased when we carry out exactly what He tells us to do?
Apply It
1. *Who is someone you haven’t seen in a while whom you can invite to church this week?
2. What is a specific way you can carry out God’s commands?
3. How can you be a servant leader for the body of Christ this week?
The Role of the Levites—Numbers 3:1–4:49
Topics: Family, Jobs, Preparation, Responsibility, Service, Work
Open It
1. *How are work responsibilities divided in your family?
2. What chores around the house do you enjoy most?
3. When moving, what are you most careful about packing?
Explore It
1. Who was in the family of Aaron and Moses? (3:1–4)
2. Whom did the Lord tell Moses to bring to Aaron? (3:5–6)
3. *What responsibilities were the Levites told to have? (3:7–10)
4. Why did the Lord say the Levites were His? (3:11–13)
5. Whom did God command Moses to count? (3:14–16)
6. Who were the people in the Levite tribes? (3:17–20)
7. *What responsibilities were the Gershonites given? (3:21–26)
8. For what were the Kohathites told to be responsible? (3:27–31)
9. What job did the Merarites have? (3:33–37)
10. What commands did the Lord give Moses regarding firstborn males? (3:39–43)
11. What was Moses asked to do with the redemption money? (3:44–51)
12. Who was told to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting? (4:1–3)
13. How were Aaron and his sons told to pack the Tent of Meeting? (4:4–14)
14. Who was in charge of carrying the things in the Tent of Meeting? (4:15)
15. *What was Eleazar’s chief responsibility? (4:16)
16. What dangerous task did the Lord warn Moses and Aaron about? (4:17–20)
17. What final instructions did the Lord give Moses about carrying the Tent? (4:21–49)
Get It
1. *How was Moses wise in following the Lord’s command to delegate responsibility?
2. What happens at work when people do not follow through on their responsibilities?
3. *How is it easy for you to avoid being responsible?
4. What makes following Christ a dangerous commitment to keep?
5. What would have happened if Moses and Aaron had tried to do all the work by themselves?
6. How is more accomplished when people have specific tasks?
7. What would others say about how responsible you are?
Apply It
1. *What is a responsibility you have been avoiding that you need to address today?
2. How can specific attention to your responsibilities this week show others your love for God?
The Purity of the Camp—Numbers 5:1–31
Topics: Confession, Jealousy, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Unfaithfulness
Open It
1. *What is one disease you would never want to get? Why?
2. What celebrity couple is known for their rocky relationship?
3. What are important characteristics of a healthy relationship?
Explore It
1. Whom did the Lord command to be sent away from the Israeli camp? (5:1–4)
2. *What did God say to Moses concerning those who wrong others? (5:5–7)
3. To whom did the restitution belong if a person had no close relatives? (5:8)
4. To whom did the sacred contributions belong? (5:9–10)
5. *How does God describe the conflict of a woman wronging her husband? (5:11–14)
6. What was the jealous husband told to do? (5:15)
7. What did the priest have the accused woman do? (5:16–18)
8. What did the priest say to the woman about the curse of the bitter water? (5:19–22)
9. What did the priest write on a scroll? (5:23)
10. What would the water cause for the woman? (5:24)
11. What did the priest wave before the Lord? (5:25)
12. What was the woman told to drink after the priest burned the offering? (5:26)
13. If the woman had been unfaithful to her husband, what would happen to her body? (5:27)
14. *What would happen if the woman had not wronged her husband? (5:28)
15. What are the conditions for the jealousy law? (5:29–30)
16. Who will bear the consequences of their sin? (5:31)
Get It
1. What does this passage tell us about the importance of the marriage relationship?
2. *How is it easy to wrong the ones we love the most?
3. *How do we often defend our positions instead of admitting our mistakes?
4. What are the many consequences of adultery?
5. How can jealousy destroy our relationships?
6. What makes it difficult to admit our wrongs to one another?
7. How does restitution play a part in restoring relationships?
Apply It
1. *Who is someone you have wronged that you need to ask for forgiveness?
2. How can the Lord help you mend a severed relationship?
The Nazirite—Numbers 6:1–27
Topics: Blessing, Holiness, Separation, Serving, Vows
Open It
1. *What religious groups are known for separating themselves from the rest of society?
2. Why are most people afraid of being labeled “weird”?
3. Who is someone you know that stands out in a crowd but doesn’t mind what others think?
Explore It
1. *What was the name given to people who wanted to separate themselves to the Lord? (6:1–2)
2. From what were Nazirites told to abstain? (6:3)
3. What plant were the Nazirites told not to eat? (6:4)
4. What were Nazirites commanded not to do? (6:5)
5. When was a Nazirite forbidden to go near a dead body? (6:6)
6. *What was the symbol of a Nazirite’s separation? (6:7)
7. How long was a Nazirite consecrated to the Lord? (6:8)
8. What defiled the hair on a Nazirite’s head? (6:9)
9. What was a Nazirite supposed to do on the eighth day? (6:10)
10. What offerings were given for the Nazirite’s sin? (6:11)
11. *Under what circumstances did a Nazirite have to start his or her separation over? (6:12)
12. Where did the Nazirite go when his or her period of separation was over? (6:13)
13. What was the Nazirite told to offer to the Lord? (6:14–15)
14. How was the priest involved in presenting the Nazirite’s offering? (6:16–17)
15. What happened after the Nazirite shaved off his or her hair? (6:18–20)
16. How were Aaron and his sons told to bless the Israelites? (6:22–27)
Get It
1. What do the Nazirites’ vows tell you about their commitment to God?
2. *How might a Nazirite be misunderstood by others when separating himself or herself for the Lord?
3. *How are we misunderstood when we are separated for the Lord’s sake?
4. What blessings do we receive by yielding ourselves completely to God?
5. Why is it not necessary for Christians to abstain from certain foods?
6. What is the benefit of abstaining from certain foods?
7. How is long hair misunderstood today?
8. In what way is a person’s appearance important? not important?
Apply It
1. *How does this passage challenge you to set yourself apart for God?
2. In what concrete way can you “separate” yourself for Christ’s service?
Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle—Numbers 7:1–89
Topics: Community, Dedication, Fellowship, Gifts, Leadership, Sacrifice
Open It
1. *What is your favorite type of gift to receive?
2. What kinds of sacrifices have others made that have benefited you?
3. Who is someone you consider to be a very giving person?
Explore It
1. What did Moses do after setting up the tabernacle? (7:1)
2. Who came to make offerings to the Lord? (7:2)
3. *What gifts did the leaders bring to the Lord? (7:3)
4. *What did the Lord tell Moses to do with the gifts that the leaders brought? (7:4–8)
5. To whom did Moses not give any of the gifts? (7:9)
6. Who brought their offerings for the dedication of the altar? (7:10–11)
7. What did Nahshon bring as an offering to the Lord? (7:12–17)
8. Who presented their gifts after Nahshon? (7:18–23)
9. On the third day, what did Eliab bring for his offering? (7:24–29)
10. *What gifts did Elizur present to the Lord? (7:30–35)
11. What do we know about Shelumiel? (7:36–41)
12. What did Eliasaph bring as an offering on the sixth day? (7:42–47)
13. Who brought their gifts on the seventh day? (7:48–53)
14. Of what tribe was Gamaliel the prince? (7:54–59)
15. Who presented their gifts on the ninth day? (7:60–65)
16. Who offered gifts to the Lord on the remaining three days? (7:66–83)
17. What was the total of the combined offerings presented to the Lord? (7:84–88)
Get It
1. *How are we takers instead of givers to the Lord?
2. *What does this passage tell us about each person’s ability to give something to the Lord?
3. How is giving contagious?
4. How does always receiving make us self-centered?
5. How can you use your talents as a gift to the Lord?
6. In what way does worship involve giving something away?
7. What type of person can you become through worshiping God?
Apply It
1. *What is a specific talent you want to give to God this week?
2. What have you received from the Lord that you can give to others today?
The Lamps, the Levites, and the Passover—Numbers 8:1–9:14
Topics: Atonement, Celebration, Light, Purity, Remembering, Work
Open It
1. *When you need help with an important task, what are your criteria for choosing people?
2. What type of training did you go through to prepare for your job?
Explore It
1. What did Moses tell Aaron to set up? (8:1–2)
2. How did Aaron set up the lamps? (8:3–4)
3. How did the Lord tell Moses to purify the Levites? (8:5–7)
4. What were the Levites to sacrifice as a sin offering? (8:8)
5. How was Moses to present the Levites before the Lord? (8:9–11)
6. What were the two types of offerings the Levites were told to sacrifice? (8:12)
7. What kind of offering were the Levites to be presented as? (8:13)
8. *From whom were the Levites told to be set apart? (8:14)
9. Where were the Levites instructed to do their work? (8:15)
10. *For whom was God setting the Levites apart? (8:16–17)
11. *What reasons did God give for setting apart the Levites for Himself? (8:18–19)
12. How did the Israelites do what the Lord commanded? (8:20–22)
13. What age requirements for their work did God give the Levites? (8:23–26)
14. When did God tell Moses to celebrate the Passover? (9:1–5)
15. Why were some people not able to celebrate the Passover? (9:6)
16. What problem did the unclean people present to Moses? (9:7–8)
17. How did God respond to the problem of unclean people celebrating Passover? (9:9–14)
Get It
1. *What was the significance of the Levites being set apart for God’s purposes?
2. How are we to be set apart from the world as Christians?
3. What are the reasons for God’s stringent laws for holiness?
4. How are people prepared for ministry today?
5. What biblical requirements are made for people who choose ministry as a profession?
6. *What difficulties do we face when we want to be set apart for the Lord?
7. How can we celebrate who God is by being set apart for Him?
8. What message do we give to the world when we live for Christ?
Apply It
1. *What step can you take today to be set apart for God’s purposes?
2. How can you show others that living for God is a celebration?
Receiving Guidance for the Journey—Numbers 9:15–10:10
Topics: Commands, Community, Follow, Obedience, People, Testing
Open It
1. *What sports team or athlete do you most enjoy following?
2. What musical instrument do you enjoy the most?
3. What do you like about sitting near a campfire?
Explore It
1. What covered the tabernacle the day it was set up? (9:15)
2. What did the cloud look like at night? (9:16)
3. What did the Israelites do when the cloud lifted above the Tent? (9:17)
4. What happened when the cloud stayed over the tabernacle? (9:18)
5. *How did the Israelites obey the Lord’s order? (9:19)
6. What occurred when the cloud was over the tabernacle for a few days? (9:20)
7. At what time during the day or night would the Israelites be ready to set out? (9:21)
8. For what different time periods would the cloud stay over the tabernacle? (9:22)
9. *When did the Israelites obey the Lord’s command? (9:23)
10. What did the Lord tell Moses to make? (10:1–2)
11. What happened when both trumpets were sounded? (10:3)
12. Who was to assemble if only one trumpet was sounded? (10:4)
13. What happened when the trumpet was blasted? (10:5–6)
14. How was Moses to gather the assembly? (10:7)
15. *Who were the only ones commanded to blow the trumpets? (10:8)
16. How were the Israelites told they would be rescued from their enemies? (10:9)
17. What was the purpose of sounding the trumpets during feasts? (10:10)
Get It
1. How would having the Lord lead you by a cloud make obeying Him easier than if He were completely invisible?
2. *What does this passage show about the difficulty of obedience?
3. In what ways does God lead or guide us today?
4. What is the value in worshiping the Lord with groups of people?
5. How do different congregations worship the Lord today?
6. *What is the relationship between worship and obedience to God?
7. How was Moses’ obedience to the Lord critical for Israel as a nation?
8. What influence do Christian leaders have on others?
Apply It
1. *How can you worship the Lord this week through your obedience to Him?
2. What is a practical way to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead in your life today?
The People Complain—Numbers 10:11–11:35
Topics: Anger, Complaining, Follow, Provision, Testing
Open It
1. What kind of food do you hate the most?
2. *What makes it difficult to be around people who complain a lot?
3. What is your favorite kind of meat?
Explore It
1. When did the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai? (10:11–13)
2. What divisions went out of the camp first? (10:14–16)
3. Who carried the tabernacle? (10:17)
4. Who was in command of the second division to leave camp? (10:18–20)
5. Who was in charge of carrying the holy things of the tabernacle? (10:21)
6. Who led the third division out of camp? (10:22–24)
7. What divisions were the rear guard for all the units? (10:25–28)
8. What did Moses say to Hobab? (10:29)
9. What was Hobab’s response about going with Moses? (10:30)
10. How did Moses explain how important Hobab’s role was in leading the Israelites? (10:31–32)
11. How was the ark of the covenant critical to leading the Israelites? (10:33–36)
12. *What did the Israelites complain about? (11:1)
13. What happened when the people cried out to Moses? (11:2–3)
14. *What was the second complaint the Israelites brought against the Lord? (11:4–9)
15. *How did Moses respond to the Lord when he heard the Israelites’ complaints? (11:10–15)
16. What conversation did the Lord and Moses have about meat? (11:16–25)
17. How did the Lord provide meat for the Israelites? (11:26–35)
Get It
1. What type of people are not cut out for camping? Why?
2. How does a person’s attitude affect his or her suitability for demanding activities?
3. How was Hobab an important travel companion to Moses?
4. How do other Christians make an important difference in your walk with Christ?
5. How did the Israelites’ bad attitudes lead to upset stomachs?
6. *What influence can complainers have on our lives?
7. *What kept Moses from being a complainer?
8. How does fatigue affect our attitudes?
9. What does the Lord want to provide you when you don’t think you can go any further?
Apply It
1. *In what part of your life do you need to trust God to provide this week?
2. How can resting in God today change your attitude?
Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses—Numbers 12:1–16
Topics: Conflict, Criticism, Divisions, Faithfulness, Humility, Sin
Open It
1. What types of personalities drive you crazy?
2. *What do most people dislike about criticism?
3. What is a recent conflict that you resolved in a positive way?
Explore It
1. Who began to speak against Moses? (12:1)
2. *What did the conflict with Moses deal with? (12:2)
3. What kind of man was Moses? (12:3)
4. *How did the Lord call the people together who were involved in the conflict with Moses? (12:4)
5. Whom did the Lord summon? (12:5)
6. What did the Lord say about how He spoke to prophets? (12:6)
7. What character quality did the Lord say Moses had? (12:7)
8. *What did the Lord say to Miriam and Aaron for creating a conflict with Moses? (12:8)
9. What emotion did the Lord express against Miriam and Aaron? (12:9)
10. What disease did Miriam receive? (12:10)
11. How did Aaron respond to Moses when he saw Miriam’s leprosy? (12:11–12)
12. How did Moses cry out to the Lord? (12:13)
13. What did the Lord say to Moses about Miriam? (12:14)
14. Where was Miriam confined? (12:15)
15. Where did the people camp after they left Hazeroth? (12:16)
Get It
1. *What character trait enabled Moses to deal with conflict in a positive way?
2. How do you think Moses felt when the people closest to him began to criticize him?
3. What hurts most when people we love criticize us?
4. How can our negative criticism wound the ones closest to us?
5. *What does this passage teach you about handling conflict?
6. How can humility be a critical ingredient to handling conflicts appropriately?
7. In what ways can unresolved conflicts spread like disease?
8. Who gets hurt when conflicts are not resolved?
Apply It
1. *What conflict is the Lord calling you to deal with this week?
2. What can you share with others about how to resolve conflicts you have had with friends or coworkers?
3. How can the Lord be a mediator in your problems with others?
Exploring Canaan—Numbers 13:1–33
Topics: Courage, Delegation, Fear, Fruit, Leadership, Strength
Open It
1. With what type of person would you want to go on a long adventure?
2. What kinds of risks are involved in standing up for what you believe?
3. *Who is the most courageous leader you know?
Explore It
1. Whom did the Lord tell Moses to send into the land of Canaan? (13:1–2)
2. From where did the spies leave on their journey? (13:3)
3. What were the names of the spies sent by Moses? (13:4–16)
4. Where did Moses tell the spies to go? (13:17)
5. What did Moses tell the spies to look for? (13:18–20)
6. What were the spies told to bring back? (13:20)
7. What territory did the Israelites explore? (13:21)
8. Where did the descendants of Anak live? (13:22)
9. What did the spies bring back from the Valley of Eshcol? (13:23–24)
10. How long did the Israelite spies explore the land? (13:25)
11. When the spies returned, to whom did they make their report? (13:26)
12. What startling report did the Israelite spies give to Moses? (13:27–29)
13. Who silenced the people? (13:30)
14. *What did Caleb say? (13:30)
15. *How did the other spies react to Caleb’s comment? (13:31)
16. *What rumors did the Israelite spies spread among the rest of the Israelites? (13:32–33)
Get It
1. What is the difference between good and bad leadership?
2. *What are the character qualities of a good leader?
3. If you were Moses, who would you think was telling the truth about the land of Canaan?
4. What kinds of fears keep people from taking risks for God?
5. How is it difficult to stand up for what you believe when others disagree with you?
6. What makes rumors dangerous?
7. *How are Christians to respond when they don’t agree with church leadership?
8. If people have a difficult time with authority, how will they follow the authority of God?
Apply It
1. What can you do this week to stand up for what you believe?
2. *What specific risk do you think God is calling you to take for Him?
3. How can trusting in Christ give you the courage to face difficulties this coming week?
The People Rebel—Numbers 14:1–45
Topics: Complaining, Consequences, Forgiveness, Guilt, People, Rebellion, Sin
Open It
1. When children act like spoiled brats, what do you usually think of the parents?
2. *Who are some famous or high-profile rebels in our society that you’re aware of?
3. What exciting new product have you purchased that turned out to be a lemon?
Explore It
1. *What complaints did the Israelites make against Moses and Aaron? (14:1–3)
2. What did the Israelites say to one another? (14:4)
3. *How did Moses and Aaron respond to the Israelites’ grumbling? (14:5)
4. What did Joshua and Caleb say to all the people? (14:6–9)
5. What did the whole assembly consider doing? (14:10)
6. What did the Lord say to Moses about the sin of the Israelites? (14:11–12)
7. How did Moses intervene on behalf of the Israelites? (14:13–19)
8. *What consequences did the Israelites receive because of their grumbling? (14:20–23)
9. What did God say about Caleb? (14:24)
10. What new directions did God give Moses for the Israelites? (14:25)
11. What did the Lord tell Moses and Aaron would happen to the Israelites? (14:26–32)
12. Who was to suffer for the Israelites’ unfaithfulness? (14:33–35)
13. What happened to the men who turned the Israelite community against God? (14:36–37)
14. Who were the only two men who were spared the plague? (14:38–39)
15. What did the people decide to do despite Moses’ warnings? (14:40–43)
16. What happened to the people who went to take the hill country? (14:44–45)
Get It
1. What consequences are usually the result of complaining?
2. *Why is it difficult to forgive people in our lives who are constant complainers?
3. If someone took a hard look at your life, what would you want said about you?
4. How does Caleb stand up in the midst of adversity?
5. What risks were involved when Joshua and Caleb trusted the Lord?
6. In what ways do we commit stupid acts even when we know we’ll fail?
7. *How does complaining lead to making bad choices?
8. What choices do you regularly face when you take a stand for God?
Apply It
1. *In what area of your life can you show more gratitude to God and complain less?
2. What is a specific way you need God’s strength to stand up for God?
Additional Regulations—Numbers 15:1–41
Topics: Fellowship, Honor, Lust, Remembering, Sacrifice, Sin
Open It
1. What are your favorite pictures in your photo albums?
2. *With whom do you enjoy getting together to tell old stories?
3. In what ways do you try to remind yourself not to forget something important?
Explore It
1. What were the Israelites told to present to the Lord after they made their offerings? (15:1–4)
2. What were the Israelites told to prepare for a drink offering? (15:5)
3. What offering was to be prepared along with a ram? (15:6–7)
4. What else is to be offered when a young bull is brought for sacrifice? (15:8–12)
5. How did God’s law apply to Israelites and aliens alike? (15:13–16)
6. When the Israelites ate the food of the new land, what were they told also to do? (15:17–21)
7. What was the community told to do if they sinned unintentionally? (15:22–26)
8. What were the conditions given if only one person sinned unintentionally? (15:27–29)
9. How could someone be cut off from the Israelite community? (15:30–31)
10. *Who did not remember the Lord’s command about not working on the Sabbath? (15:32)
11. What happened to the man who gathered wood on the Sabbath? (15:33)
12. What did the Lord tell Moses to do with the man who broke the Sabbath? (15:34–35)
13. How was the man punished for gathering wood on the Sabbath? (15:36)
14. What did the Lord tell Moses to put on the corners of his garments? (15:37–38)
15. *What purpose did the tassels on Moses’ garment serve? (15:39–40)
16. *What did God say to remind the Israelites about who He was? (15:41)
Get It
1. *How were Israel’s sacrifices a reminder of their covenant with God?
2. What part does weekly worship play in reminding you of your commitment to God?
3. What temptations do you think Moses faced as a leader?
4. *How does forgetting God’s commands have consequences in our lives?
5. What does God’s Word do to help us control our thought lives?
6. How are our lives similar to the people of Israel’s lives?
Apply It
1. *What can you do this week to remember the Lord in all you do?
2. How can God’s Word help you follow Christ?
Many Leaders Rebel against Moses—Numbers 16:1–17:13
Topics: Challenge, Holiness, Opposition, Punishment, Rebellion
Open It
1. What are the most notorious rivalries in pro sports today?
2. *How do people typically react to those who oppose them?
3. How does opposition show others who we really are?
Explore It
1. What men rose up against Moses? (16:1–2)
2. *What did the men opposing Moses and Aaron say to them? (16:3)
3. *How did Moses respond to those opposing him? (16:4–5)
4. What did Moses tell Korah and his followers to do? (16:6–10)
5. *Whom did Moses tell the Levites they were really opposing? (16:11)
6. How did Dathan and Abiram reply when Moses summoned them? (16:12–14)
7. What did Moses tell the Lord not to accept from the men opposing him? (16:15)
8. What directions did Moses give to Korah? (16:16–17)
9. Who appeared before the entire assembly? (16:18–19)
10. How did God punish the people who opposed Moses? (16:20–35)
11. What did Moses tell Eleazar to do? (16:36–40)
12. How did the Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron the very next day? (16:41)
13. How did the Lord say He was going to punish the Israelites? (16:42–45)
14. What terrible consequence did the Israelites face because of their rebellion? (16:46–50)
15. What did the Lord tell Moses about the twelve staffs? (17:1–5)
16. What happened to Aaron’s staff? (17:6–9)
17. How was Aaron’s staff to be a sign for the people of Israel? (17:10–13)
Get It
1. *How do a person’s true colors come out when facing opposition?
2. What does complaining do to our hearts?
3. *How can opposition be handled in a positive way?
4. What part does prayer play when we face difficulties in relationships?
5. How can grumbling attitudes lead to rebelling against God?
6. If you were Moses, how would you have handled Korah and his followers?
7. What consequences do nations face when they rebel against God?
8. What do these verses teach us about dealing with power struggles?
Apply It
1. *How can you entrust to God the opposition you are facing this week?
2. What is one concrete step you can take to change a bad attitude?
Duties of Priests and Levites—Numbers 18:1–19:22
Topics: Devotion, Duty, Holiness, Law, Responsibility
Open It
1. *What are the most important responsibilities in your life?
2. What do you hope to teach your children about responsibility?
3. How do people commonly make excuses for being irresponsible?
Explore It
1. *For what did the Lord tell Aaron he and his sons were responsible? (18:1)
2. *For what were the Levites responsible? (18:2–4)
3. Why was Aaron responsible for the care of the sanctuary and altar? (18:5)
4. How were the responsibilities of Aaron’s sons different from those of the Levites? (18:6–7)
5. What were Aaron and his sons given as priests of the Lord? (18:8–19)
6. What did the Lord say would be Aaron’s inheritance? (18:20)
7. What did the Levites receive for their inheritance? (18:21)
8. Where were the Israelites told not to go? (18:22)
9. Why did the Levites have no inheritance among the Israelites? (18:23–24)
10. What commands did the Lord give the Levites regarding their tithes? (18:25–32)
11. What requirement of the law did the Lord give Moses and Aaron? (19:1–5)
12. What was the priest to throw on the burning heifer? (19:6)
13. What washing instructions were given after the sacrifice was offered? (19:7–10)
14. *What was a person responsible to do if he or she touched a dead body? (19:11–14)
15. Why was it important to keep lids fastened on containers? (19:15)
16. How could an unclean person be made clean? (19:16–21)
17. What happened to the things touched by an unclean person? (19:22)
Get It
1. *What made it necessary for the Levites to have specific responsibilities?
2. *How does God’s law help make us responsible people?
3. What was it about the offerings that made a division of labor necessary?
4. Why are certain people given more responsibilities than others in today’s world?
5. What are specific ways people become responsible for their lives?
6. Why isn’t it possible for sin to mix with holiness?
7. What are some of the different responsibilities we have as Christians?
8. To whom is every person ultimately responsible?
Apply It
1. *What is an area of your life in which you need to be more responsible this week?
2. In what way can you make a particular part of your life a more fitting service to God?
Water from the Rock, Edom, and the Death of Aaron—Numbers 20:1–29
Topics: Anger, Death, Example, Mourning, Quarrels, Trust
Open It
1. What makes people look foolish when they’re angry?
2. What is your favorite water sport?
3. *How do cemeteries remind us of what’s really important?
Explore It
1. *Who died in the Desert of Zin? (20:1)
2. What new problem did Moses and Aaron face? (20:2)
3. What did the quarreling people say to Moses? (20:3–5)
4. What happened when Moses and Aaron fell facedown at the Tent of Meeting? (20:6)
5. How did God say He would solve the water problem? (20:7–8)
6. What did Moses say to the people in his anger? (20:9–10)
7. What did Moses do with his staff to get water out of the rock? (20:11)
8. How was the Lord displeased with Moses and Aaron? (20:12)
9. What was significant about the waters of Meribah? (20:13)
10. To whom did Moses send his messengers? (20:14)
11. What message was sent to the king of Edom? (20:15–17)
12. *How did Edom threaten the Israelites? (20:18)
13. What did Moses ask Edom a second time? (20:19)
14. How was Israel turned away from Edom? (20:20–21)
15. What did the Lord say to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor? (20:22–26)
16. Who received Aaron’s garments? (20:27–28)
17. *Who died on Mount Hor? (20:28–29)
Get It
1. How do we try to take problems into our own hands instead of leaving them to God?
2. Why did Moses strike the rock?
3. How is God dishonored when we make hasty or emotion-charged decisions?
4. What do you think Moses felt when Miriam and Aaron died?
5. *What does death remind us about our responsibilities to God?
6. Knowing he was heading for death as he climbed Mount Hor, how do you think Aaron felt?
7. What is important to pass on to your family before you die?
8. *What can the deaths of others teach us about how we should honor God?
Apply It
1. *What is a specific action you can take this week to honor God?
2. How can the reality of death motivate you to consider the reality of eternity?
The Bronze Snake, Moab, and Sihon and Og—Numbers 21:1–35
Topics: Patience, Sin, Victory, Vows, War
Open It
1. *What are some of your pet peeves?
2. What happens when you pray to the Lord for patience?
3. What is a hasty decision you made that you later regretted?
Explore It
1. Who was captured by the Canaanite king? (21:1)
2. What vow did Israel make to the Lord? (21:2)
3. How did the Lord respond to Israel’s plea? (21:3)
4. *Where did the people of Israel become impatient? (21:4)
5. *How did the people express their impatience against God and Moses? (21:5)
6. *What kind of punishment did the Lord give the Israelites for being impatient? (21:6)
7. How did the people ask Moses to intervene on their behalf? (21:7)
8. What did the Lord tell Moses to do with a snake? (21:8)
9. If someone was bitten by a snake, how could he or she be healed? (21:9)
10. Where did the nation of Israel go after Oboth? (21:10–15)
11. What did the Lord say to Moses at Beer? (21:16)
12. What song did the Israelites sing to the Lord? (21:17–18)
13. Where did Israel travel before sending a message to Sihon? (21:19–21)
14. How did Sihon respond to the message of the Israelites? (21:22–23)
15. Whom did Israel defeat in their battle campaign? (21:24–26)
16. What did the poets say about the battles of Israel? (21:27–30)
17. How did Israel win the battle against the king of Bashan? (21:31–35)
Get It
1. *What does this passage teach us about becoming impatient with God?
2. How was Moses able to remain patient even when those around him were not?
3. *In what ways do our sins come back to hurt us?
4. How can we allow the Lord to fight our battles?
5. When you’re in a spiritual battle, how can patience bring a victory?
6. How can singing to the Lord make a difference when your patience is tested?
7. What are positive ways to deal with impatient people?
Apply It
1. *How can you allow the Lord to develop your character through testing times this week?
2. What is a specific area of your life today in which you would like to develop patience?
Balak Summons Balaam—Numbers 22:1–41
Topics: Anger, Blessing, Compromise, Decisions, Fear, Greed
Open It
1. What would you do with a million dollars if you suddenly got that much money?
2. *How can money distract people from what is really important?
3. What television shows do you know about that have talking animals for characters?
Explore It
1. Where did the Israelites camp? (22:1)
2. Who feared the Israelites? (22:2–3)
3. What did the Moabites say to the elders of Midian? (22:4)
4. What did Balak ask Balaam to do? (22:5–6)
5. How did Balaam respond to the requests of the elders? (22:7–8)
6. What conversation did God and Balaam have? (22:9–12)
7. What did Balaam tell Balak’s princes? (22:13–14)
8. *What did the more distinguished princes offer Balaam? (22:15–17)
9. *How did Balaam respond to Balak’s promise of riches? (22:18–19)
10. *What did the Lord do when He became angry with Balaam’s attitude about riches? (22:20–22)
11. What conflict did Balaam have with his donkey? (22:23–27)
12. What heated words did Balaam and his donkey exchange? (22:28–30)
13. What happened when the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes? (22:31)
14. What did the angel of the Lord and Balaam talk about? (22:32–35)
15. Where did Balak and Balaam meet each other? (22:36)
16. What did Balaam tell Balak about speaking for God? (22:37–38)
17. What events took place after Balak and Balaam met each other? (22:39–41)
Get It
1. *How did Balaam’s desire for riches distract him from what God wanted him to do?
2. What are some of the ways we covet other people’s wealth?
3. How would you have felt if you were Balaam’s donkey?
4. *In what ways do we make it hard for God to get our attention?
5. Why do we often desire riches more than God?
6. How can listening to God help us keep wealth in perspective?
7. What does this passage tell us about obeying God?
Apply It
1. *In what specific way can you follow Christ over riches?
2. What can you do this week to keep from being distracted from God?
Balaam’s Oracles—Numbers 23:1–24:25
Topics: Blessing, Destruction, Listening, Obedience, Rewards
Open It
1. *What projects have you taken on that were doomed to failure from the start?
2. In what way are you easily convinced or more of a skeptic?
3. What makes some people easily fooled by slick advertising or phony investment schemes?
Explore It
1. What did Balaam say to Balak after preparing an offering to God? (23:1–3)
2. *What message did God put in Balaam’s mouth? (23:4–10)
3. How did a shocked Balak respond to Balaam’s message? (23:11–14)
4. *What was the second message the Lord gave Balaam? (23:15–24)
5. *How did Balak try to convince Balaam for the third time to curse Israel? (23:25–30)
6. What did Balaam refrain from doing when he saw that God was pleased? (24:1)
7. Why did Balaam refrain from sorcery? (24:1)
8. What did the Spirit of God reveal to Balaam? (24:2–9)
9. How did Balak lash out in anger at Balaam? (24:10–11)
10. What did Balaam say about speaking for the Lord? (24:12–14)
11. From whom did Balaam receive his visions? (24:15–16)
12. According to Balaam, who was going to grow strong? (24:17–19)
13. What did Balaam say about nations that seemed to be secure? (24:20–24)
14. To where did Balaam return? (24:25)
Get It
1. How was Balak doomed from the beginning in trying to destroy Israel?
2. *What does this passage tell us about trying to change the plans of God?
3. *How did Balaam keep himself from being persuaded by Balak?
4. How do we sometimes try to change the mind of God?
5. What blessings do we receive when we listen to God?
6. What prevents us from listening to the voice of the Lord?
7. Who are people you know who boldly take a stand for God?
8. How does this passage reveal the sovereignty of God over all nations?
Apply It
1. *When can you take some time this week to listen to the voice of God through prayer and Bible reading?
2. How can you allow God to change your mind today instead of trying to change His?
Moab Seduces Israel—Numbers 25:1–18
Topics: Anger, Compromise, Culture, Disobedience, Idolatry, Sex
Open It
1. What are things people commonly do to be accepted by others?
2. *How is sex used by advertising companies to attract people’s attention?
3. To what exotic country would you like to travel?
Explore It
1. Who became involved in sexual immorality? (25:1)
2. To whom did the men of Israel offer sacrifices? (25:2)
3. *What idol did Israel begin to worship? (25:3)
4. What did the Lord tell Moses to do to the leaders of Israel? (25:4)
5. *What were the Israelite judges told to do to the idol worshipers? (25:5)
6. What did one of the Israelites do right in front of Moses’ eyes? (25:6)
7. How did Phinehas react to the sexually immoral man? (25:7–8)
8. How many people died in the plague sent by God? (25:9)
9. What did the Lord say to Moses about Phinehas? (25:10–13)
10. What was the name of the Israelite that was killed by Phinehas? (25:14)
11. Who was the Midianite woman? (25:15)
12. How was Moses to treat the Midianites? (25:17)
13. *How did God say the Israelites were guilty of idol worship? (25:17–18)
Get It
1. What in our society can distract us from worshiping God?
2. *What idols are Americans often guilty of worshiping?
3. How can sexual immorality destroy our relationship with God?
4. How do you think Moses felt to have a man like Phinehas on his side?
5. What does Phinehas’s zeal for God tell you about his character?
6. *How is it risky to honor God when others would prefer to worship idols?
7. What are modern-day plagues that can result from sexual immorality?
8. How does God bless us when we honor Him?
Apply It
1. In what way can you honor God this week?
2. *What is an idol in your life that you need to put in its proper place?
The Second Census of the Nation—Numbers 26:1–27:23
Topics: Authority, Community, Delegation, Family, Leadership, People
Open It
1. *Who has the largest family that you know?
2. Where are your ancestors from?
3. What are some of the significant events in your family history?
Explore It
1. What were Moses and Eleazar told to do by the Lord? (26:1–4)
2. *How many people were in the clan of Reuben? (26:7)
3. How many men were devoured by fire? (26:10)
4. *How many people belonged to Judah’s clan? (26:22)
5. Who were the descendants of Zebulun? (26:26)
6. *How many people were from the clan of Manasseh? (26:34)
7. What relatives belonged to the clan of Asher? (26:45)
8. What did the Lord tell Moses about an inheritance? (26:52–56)
9. Where did the census of the Israelites take place? (26:63)
10. What daughters came to Moses at the Tent of Meeting? (27:1–2)
11. What concern did the daughters bring to Moses? (27:3–4)
12. How did the Lord deal with the daughters’ problem? (27:5–11)
13. What did the Lord say to Moses on the mountain? (27:12–14)
14. What did Moses ask the Lord to do for Israel? (27:15–17)
15. Who was appointed to lead Israel? (27:18)
16. What did the Lord tell Moses to do for Joshua? (27:19–21)
17. How was Joshua commissioned by Moses? (27:22–23)
Get It
1. How important for military purposes was it to know how many men Israel had?
2. With so many people in the world, how does it make you feel to know that God cares for you?
3. How did Moses have to depend on his leaders to help with the census?
4. *What is important about knowing who goes to the church you attend?
5. *What happens when people get lost in the crowd at church?
6. What lessons did Joshua learn from Moses’ leadership?
7. What people in God’s family have you relied on and considered important?
8. What makes it necessary to have strong leadership with large groups of people?
Apply It
1. *Who is someone you haven’t seen at church lately that you can call this week?
2. What is one concrete way you can be a positive influence on someone else today?
Instructions Concerning Offerings—Numbers 28:1–30:16
Topics: Celebration, Fellowship, Obligation, Sacrifice, Vows, Worship
Open It
1. What is your favorite gourmet food?
2. *What makes a wedding feast exciting or boring?
3. What elaborate rituals do people do to get God’s attention?
Explore It
1. What burnt offering did God command the Israelites to sacrifice to Him? (28:1–6)
2. What was prepared along with the drink offering? (28:7–8)
3. What offering was to be made on the Sabbath? (28:9–10)
4. *What was presented to the Lord on the first of every month? (28:11–15)
5. *How was the Passover feast to be celebrated? (28:16–25)
6. *The Feasts of Weeks was celebrated in what manner? (28:26–31)
7. When was the Feast of Trumpets celebrated? (29:1–6)
8. What offerings were made on the Day of Atonement? (29:7–11)
9. How long was the Feast of Tabernacles? (29:12)
10. What celebrations took place during the Feast of Tabernacles? (29:13–39)
11. What did Moses tell the Israelites? (29:40)
12. What did Moses say to the leaders of Israel about vows? (30:1–2)
13. What was the law concerning a young woman’s vows? (30:3–5)
14. How were vows made within a marriage relationship? (30:6–15)
15. Who gave Moses the regulations concerning relationships? (30:16)
Get It
1. *How was it important for the Lord to remind Moses of all the feasts?
2. What does regular worship of the Lord do to our hearts?
3. *How are people transformed when they celebrate who God is?
4. What elements of worship help you to experience the presence of God?
5. What happens to our lives if we don’t spend time worshiping God?
6. What is the relationship between worship and keeping our vows?
7. What is the difference between celebrating the Lord and celebrating at a party?
8. How can our worship to the Lord be authentic?
Apply It
1. What vow can you make to worship the Lord?
2. *What is a specific way you can celebrate who God is?
3. How can you offer yourself as a living sacrifice to worship God?
Vengeance on the Midianites—Numbers 31:1–54
Topics: Battle, Death, Revenge, Victory, War
Open It
1. What war veterans do you know personally?
2. *What is the most tragic war you can think of?
3. What kind of spiritual battles do Christians face?
Explore It
1. On whom did the Lord tell Moses to take vengeance? (31:1–2)
2. *Whom did Moses send into battle? (31:3–4)
3. *How many men did Israel send to fight the Midianites? (3:5–6)
4. Whom did the Israelites kill in the battle? (3:7–8)
5. Where was all the plunder brought? (3:9–12)
6. Why was Moses angry with his officers? (31:13–15)
7. What did Moses tell his officers to do with the women and children? (31:16–18)
8. How were the men told to cleanse themselves? (31:19–20)
9. What did Eleazar tell the soldiers? (31:21–24)
10. How did the Lord tell Moses to divide the spoils? (31:25–30)
11. How many animals were part of the spoils? (31:31–39)
12. How many people were given as a tribute to the Lord? (31:40)
13. What did the Israelite community receive from the spoils? (31:41–46)
14. What were the Levites given? (31:47)
15. *What message from the officers of the army did Moses receive? (31:48–49)
16. What offering to the Lord did the army officers bring? (31:50)
17. What did Moses and Eleazar accept from the officers? (31:51–54)
Get It
1. *How did Moses show his military leadership in the battle against Midian?
2. How is war a controversial topic among believers?
3. How can we know when we should fight and when we should try to avoid fighting?
4. What does the Bible have to say about spiritual warfare?
5. How does Satan try to thwart God’s plans?
6. For what purposes does God allow wars to happen?
7. What battles do Christians get into that are best to avoid?
8. *What spiritual battles do we fight?
9. How did God use Moses to communicate His battle plans?
Apply It
1. *What can you do to be prepared for spiritual battles in your life?
2. What do you want to remember the next time you must defend someone else or fight for a noble cause?
The Transjordan Tribes—Numbers 32:1–42
Topics: Assumptions, Bargaining, Conflict, Disagreements, Promises, Sincerity
Open It
1. *What are people trying to achieve when they make deals?
2. What is it like to be on a team where some members aren’t doing their part?
3. What types of agreements are you hesitant to make?
Explore It
1. Who came to Moses and Eleazar? (32:1–2)
2. *What kind of deal did the Reubenites and Gadites try to make with Moses? (32:3–5)
3. How did Moses react to the Reubenites’ and Gadites’ request? (32:6)
4. What was Moses’ explanation for denying the Reubenites’ and Gadites’ request? (32:7–15)
5. *What kind of deal did the Reubenites and Gadites counterpropose? (32:16–19)
6. How did Moses agree with the counterproposal? (32:20–22)
7. *What warning did Moses give if the people failed to follow through on their promise? (32:23)
8. How did the Gadites and Reubenites answer Moses? (32:25–27)
9. What orders did Moses give to Eleazar and Joshua? (32:28–30)
10. What property did the Gadites and Reubenites say they wanted? (32:31–32)
11. What property did Moses give the Reubenites and Gadites? (32:33)
12. What did the Gadites build? (32:34–36)
13. What cities did the Reubenites build up? (32:37–38)
14. Where did the descendants of Manasseh settle? (32:39–41)
15. After what did Nobah name his city? (32:42)
Get It
1. *What is the danger of trying to make deals with God?
2. How does our sin eventually catch up with us?
3. What is the danger in jumping to conclusions?
4. Why is it important to be equitable when making agreements?
5. In what ways did Moses jump to conclusions about the Gadites and Reubenites?
6. What is created in relationships when people follow through on their agreements?
7. *How do agreements reflect our true character?
8. What might have Moses been feeling when two nations wanted to stay behind?
Apply It
1. *In what specific way can you stick to your agreements this week?
2. How can you become more trustworthy in your relationships?
Stages in Israel’s Journey—Numbers 33:1–56
Topics: Direction, Idolatry, Possessions, Remembering, Trouble
Open It
1. *What is the longest trip you have ever been on?
2. What makes jet lag so terrible?
3. How do road maps make a critical difference when you’re lost?
Explore It
1. What is this passage describing about Israel? (33:1)
2. *Who recorded the Israelites’ journey? (33:2)
3. *When did the Israelites leave Egypt? (33:3)
4. What was at Elim? (33:9)
5. What was missing at Rephidim? (33:14)
6. Where did the Israelites camp after leaving Libnah? (33:21)
7. After the Israelites left Mithcah, where did they camp? (33:29)
8. Where was Kadesh located? (33:36)
9. *Where did Aaron die on the trip to the Promised Land? (33:38)
10. How old was Aaron when he died? (33:39)
11. Who heard that the Israelites were coming? (33:40)
12. Where did the Israelites camp? (33:47)
13. Where did the Lord speak to Moses about crossing the Jordan? (33:50)
14. What did the Lord command Moses to do? (33:51–53)
15. How was the land to be distributed? (33:54)
16. What did God promise to Israel if they didn’t drive out the inhabitants? (33:55–56)
Get It
1. *What are the similarities between the Israelites’ journey and your experience with Christ?
2. What reasons did Moses have for keeping a record of the Israelites’ journey?
3. *How can a Christian become weary in following Christ?
4. What are ways we can refresh ourselves when we get tired of walking with God?
5. How could the Israelites have been tempted not to destroy the idols in Midian?
6. What makes it difficult to wait for God’s blessings?
7. What was God’s message to the Israelites when He said He wanted all the idols destroyed?
8. How do certain sins remain barbs in our heart when we don’t give them to God?
Apply It
1. *What can you do this week to look back and record what God has done in your life?
2. What younger person can you influence in a godly way?
3. What concrete way can you drive out any idols in your life this week?
Dividing the Land—Numbers 34:1–36:13
Topics: Commands, Direction, Moving, Murder, Schedule
Open It
1. What do you dislike about moving?
2. *If you were to inherit something important, what would you want it to be?
3. How do you feel when you’re left out and forgotten on special holidays?
Explore It
1. What land were the Israelites about to enter? (34:1–2)
2. *What were the boundaries of the Israelites’ inheritance? (34:3–12)
3. What did Moses command the Israelites? (34:13–15)
4. Who were the men appointed to help assign the land? (34:16–29)
5. *What were the Levites given as part of their inheritance? (35:1–5)
6. What was the purpose for some of the towns given to the Levites? (35:6–8)
7. For whom were the towns of the Levites? (35:9–15)
8. How was someone found guilty of murder? (35:16–21)
9. Who judged whether a killing was accidental? (35:22–28)
10. What legal requirements did the Lord give the Israelites regarding bloodshed? (35:29–34)
11. What difficulty did the leaders of Gilead and Manasseh bring to Moses? (36:1–4)
12. *What was the Lord’s command regarding the inheritance of Zelophedad’s daughters? (36:5–9)
13. Whom did Zelophedad’s daughters marry? (36:10–12)
14. Who gave Moses commands and regulations? (36:13)
Get It
1. *How do you think the Israelites might have been feeling before moving into the Promised Land? Why?
2. In what way was Moses like a real estate broker?
3. How does moving challenge your patience with others?
4. For what did the Israelites have to prepare before going into Canaan?
5. How does the Lord prepare us when He moves us in new directions?
6. *What feelings do you experience when you’re not sure where the Lord is leading you?
7. How is it important not to put our trust in an inheritance?
8. What do you want your children to inherit from your example as a Christian?
Apply It
1. *How can you yield your life to God today even if you’re not sure where God is leading you?
2. In what area of your life is God wanting you to move ahead or make a change?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. Nu 1:1–36:13.