Single lesson
Aaron's Staff Buds
Numbers 17:1–13
In this lesson, children hear how Yahweh used twelve rods, including Aaron’s, to show whom he had chosen. They will order the account, notice people’s responses, and talk about what the passage teaches about listening to God.
Before you teach
Numbers 17:1–13 begins with Yahweh speaking to Moses about rods from the leaders of Israel’s fathers’ houses. The rods are placed in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, and Yahweh says the chosen man’s rod will bud and the people’s murmuring will cease.
Students will be able to retell the order of Numbers 17:1–13 and explain that Yahweh clearly showed his choice through Aaron’s rod.
Welcome: What happened to the rods?
4 minShow a stick, ruler, or pencil and ask children what they would expect it to do overnight. Explain that in this passage Yahweh gave Moses instructions about twelve rods, one for each fathers’ house, and said one rod would show whom he had chosen. Introduce the goal of listening for the order of events.
Numbers 17:2, Numbers 17:3, Numbers 17:5
Read and explain: Twelve rods placed before Yahweh
8 minRead the passage aloud in small parts. Explain that each prince gave a rod, Aaron’s name was written on Levi’s rod, and the rods were laid in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant. Point out that Yahweh said this sign would answer the people’s murmuring against him.
Numbers 17:2, Numbers 17:3, Numbers 17:4, Numbers 17:5, Numbers 17:6, Numbers 17:7
Discuss: What did Yahweh show, and how did the people react?
6 minTalk through the next day carefully. Aaron’s rod had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and borne ripe almonds. Moses showed all the rods to the people, and each man took his own rod. Then Yahweh told Moses to put Aaron’s rod back as a token against rebellion and complaining.
Numbers 17:8, Numbers 17:9, Numbers 17:10, Numbers 17:11
Make and respond: Rod sequence line
8 minChildren make simple sequence cards or drawings for key moments: collect the rods, write names, place them before Yahweh, see Aaron’s rod bud, return Aaron’s rod before the covenant, and hear the people’s fearful words. As they arrange the order, ask what choices people made and what Yahweh did.
Numbers 17:2, Numbers 17:4, Numbers 17:8, Numbers 17:10, Numbers 17:12, Numbers 17:13
Closing: Fear, warning, and remembering
4 minFinish by reading the people’s words in verses 12 and 13. Explain that the passage ends with fear about approaching Yahweh’s tabernacle. Remind children that the account shows Yahweh giving a clear sign and Moses doing as commanded. Review the sequence together in one sentence per child if possible.
Numbers 17:11, Numbers 17:12, Numbers 17:13
Questions to explore
What did Yahweh tell Moses to collect, and whose name was written on Levi’s rod?
Look for the instructions about the twelve rods and the special naming of Aaron on Levi’s rod.
Numbers 17:2, Numbers 17:3
What was different about Aaron’s rod when Moses returned the next day?
Use the words of the verse itself and notice each stage listed there.
Numbers 17:8
Why was Aaron’s rod put back before the covenant?
Listen for Yahweh’s explanation about rebellion, complaining, and what he wanted to stop.
Numbers 17:10
Make, think or respond
Aaron’s Rod Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- Paper or scrap card
- Pencils or crayons
- Scissors
- A ruler or craft stick for showing a 'rod'
Try it together
- Draw or write six moments from the passage on separate cards: twelve rods gathered, names written, rods placed before Yahweh, Aaron’s rod budding, rods returned, Aaron’s rod kept before the covenant.
- Mix the cards and have children work alone or in pairs to place them in order.
- Ask children to retell the account using the ordered cards and the Bible text.
- Invite them to circle or point to the card that most clearly shows Yahweh’s choice.
This activity helps children sequence Numbers 17:1–13 and notice that Yahweh clearly identified Aaron’s rod as the chosen one.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, reduce the sequence to four cards and retell the story together with repeated key words from Numbers 17:8 such as sprouted, budded, blossoms, and almonds.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to match each sequence card with the exact verse number and explain how Numbers 17:10 interprets the sign.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: Lord God, thank you for speaking clearly in this passage. Please help us listen carefully to what you say and remember what you showed through Aaron’s rod. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Numbers 17
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and take rods from them, one for each fathers’ house, of all their princes according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods. Write each man’s name on his rod.
3 You shall write Aaron’s name on Levi’s rod. There shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses.
4 You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you.
5 It shall happen that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you, cease from me.”
6 Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and all their princes gave him rods, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, a total of twelve rods. Aaron’s rod was among their rods.
7 Moses laid up the rods before Yahweh in the Tent of the Testimony.
8 On the next day, Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.
9 Moses brought out all the rods from before Yahweh to all the children of Israel. They looked, and each man took his rod.
10 Yahweh said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that you may make an end of their complaining against me, that they not die.”
11 Moses did so. As Yahweh commanded him, so he did.
12 The children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, we perish! We are undone! We are all undone!
13 Everyone who keeps approaching Yahweh’s tabernacle, dies! Will we all perish?”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
