Adult Extra – Numbers; Deuteronomy (Winter 19-20) – Session 3

Session 3: God Requires

Suggested Week of Use: December 15, 2019

Core Passage: Numbers 20:1-13

News Story Summary

While many people complain about package deliveries gone wrong, a Scottsdale, Arizona, man is singing the praises of a delivery driver who handled a package exactly as instructed. Phil Aroutunian wrote additional directions for his package delivery. He instructed the driver to, “ring the doorbell and sing, ‘your package is here, your package is here, yoo hoo, woo hoo, your package is here!’”

The unnamed delivery driver did exactly as instructed, and his delivery was caught on the home security camera in the door. Praising the driver for his good humor and positive attitude, the family posted the video on social media and it went viral. Both the driver and the home owner had a little fun with the delivery.

(For more on this story, search the Internet using the term “Amazon driver sings per instructions”.)

Focus Attention

To open the Bible study time, play a game of Simon Says. Direct the group to complete the tasks you assign, such as “Simon says pat your head,” Or “Simon says clap your hands.” The goal is to see how many people you can eliminate. Award a prize to the person who lasts the longest.

Say: Sometimes following directions can be fun, such as when you’re playing a game. And believe it or not, following directions can even be fun if you are a delivery driver. Tell the story of the Arizona driver who sang exactly as instructed when he delivered a package to the front door a of man’s house. Ask: Would you have followed these directions? Why or why not? How do you determine whether or not you will follow someone’s instructions? Explain that today’s Bible study will focus on a situation in which God gave clear instructions to Moses, and Moses paid the price for not doing what God commanded.

Challenge

To summarize the session, ask: Why was it so important for Moses to speak to the rock instead of hitting it? Why do you think Moses hit it instead? Remind the group of the story about the Arizona delivery person. Point out that some instructions—like singing while making a package delivery—don’t matter too much. However, God wants His people to follow Him completely, in the big circumstances and the small. Ask: Can you think of a time when you didn’t follow God’s instructions and had to endure the consequences for your decision? Explain. Allow the group to talk about lessons they learned from not being completely surrendered to God’s leadership and instruction. Then close in prayer, asking God to help you trust Him enough to follow His direction.