Lesson Overview

The Lesson Overview is basically an outline . . . Think of it as the "nuts and bolts" of each lesson.

Biblical Passage While other passages often find their way into a lesson, the biblical passage is the main focus.

Supporting Scripture The supporting scripture often provides context to, gives additional insight to, or reiterates the message of the biblical passage in additional places of Scripture.

Memory Verse The memory verse is a key verse that illustrates the biblical truth of the lesson. It usually originates from the biblical passage but may be from an additional passage.

Biblical Truth The biblical truth is the central foundation of the lesson. It comes directly from the biblical passage and drives the formation of learning goals.

Context The context section gives the context of the current lesson in regards to its surrounding lessons. It may also provide a glimpse of the historical or literary context of the biblical passage.

Learning Goals The learning goals help teachers understand what the lesson seeks to accomplish. The first learning goal is the driving purpose of the Explore section of the teaching plan and is concerned with biblical knowledge. The second learning goal pertains is the Transform section and is concerned with life application.

Prayer Suggestions The prayer suggestions provide specific ideas for the teacher to pray during the week for his or her students. These ideas are based on the goals and truths of the lesson.

Biblical Passage

Numbers 14:20–38

Supporting Passages

Numbers 13:1–14:45; Deuteronomy 1:19–40; Joshua 14:1–15; Judges 1:19–20

Memory Verse

Numbers 14:24

Table Talk Question

Why is it important to be faithful to God even when other believers do not agree?

Biblical Truth

Caleb was allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his wholehearted commitment to God.

Biblical Context

Caleb was one of the twelve original spies that Moses sent into the Promised Land when the Israelites first arrived there. After forty days of spying, the spies returned in agreement of the richness of the land. Ten spies recounted stories of how daunting the inhabitants were. Only Caleb and Joshua recounted that the land was ready to be conquered (Num. 13:25-33). The people accepted the majority report, and begged Moses to take them back to Egypt. In chapter 14, Moses turned to God in prayer, questioning what to do next. God declared that none of the faithless people would live to see the Promised Land, except the two spies––Caleb and Joshua––who had courageously placed their complete faith in Him.

Learning Goals
  • Learners will examine Caleb’s courageous faithfulness in God’s promises.
  • Learners will identify ways to demonstrate wholehearted commitment to God despite opposition.
Prayer Suggestions

As you prepare to teach this lesson, pray for those in your group.

  • Pray that learners will not back down from opposition in their lives.
  • Pray that learners will begin to see obstacles as opportunities to show God’s strength.
  • Pray that learners will not doubt God’s faithfulness because rewards seem slow in coming.

Acknowledgments