Single lesson
Joshua Is Chosen to Succeed Moses
Numbers 27:12–23
In this lesson, children trace how Moses hears Yahweh’s words, asks for a leader for the people, and sees Joshua publicly appointed. They will sequence the passage and notice both Yahweh’s judgment on Moses and his care for the congregation.
Before you teach
This passage begins with Yahweh telling Moses to go up the mountain and see the land given to the children of Israel. Yahweh also tells Moses that he will be gathered to his people because he rebelled at the waters in the wilderness of Zin. Moses then asks Yahweh to appoint a leader over the congregation, and Yahweh names Joshua.
Students will be able to retell the order of Numbers 27:12–23 and explain that Yahweh judges Moses for rebellion and provides a leader for the congregation.
Welcome: What happens next for the congregation?
4 minBriefly introduce the passage by telling children they will listen for three parts: what Yahweh says to Moses, what Moses asks for, and what Yahweh commands about Joshua. Explain that the class will put the account in order and notice how the congregation is cared for through a new leader.
Numbers 27:12, Numbers 27:16, Numbers 27:18
Read and explain: Moses hears hard news
8 minRead verses 12 to 17 aloud. Point out that Moses is told to go up the mountain and see the land, and that he will be gathered to his people. Verse 14 gives the reason: Moses had rebelled against Yahweh’s word. Then notice Moses’ response. He asks Yahweh to appoint a man over the congregation so they will not be like sheep without a shepherd.
Numbers 27:12, Numbers 27:13, Numbers 27:14, Numbers 27:16, Numbers 27:17
Discuss: Yahweh chooses Joshua
6 minRead verses 18 to 21. Explain that Yahweh names Joshua son of Nun and says he is a man in whom is the Spirit. Moses is told to lay his hand on Joshua, set him before Eleazar and all the congregation, and give him authority. Joshua’s leadership is public, and he is to stand before Eleazar the priest to inquire before Yahweh.
Numbers 27:18, Numbers 27:19, Numbers 27:20, Numbers 27:21
Make and respond: Sequence and commission cards
8 minChildren make simple cards for the main moments of the passage, then place them in order and retell the account with a partner. Encourage them to include the public setting before Eleazar and all the congregation, because the passage repeats that the people are meant to see Joshua’s commissioning.
Numbers 27:19, Numbers 27:20, Numbers 27:22, Numbers 27:23
Closing: Moses obeys Yahweh’s command
4 minFinish by reading verses 22 and 23 again. Emphasise that Moses did as Yahweh commanded him. He took Joshua, set him before Eleazar and the congregation, laid his hands on him, and commissioned him. Review the lesson goal by asking children to tell the account in order and name what this passage shows about Yahweh’s care.
Numbers 27:22, Numbers 27:23
Questions to explore
Why did Moses ask Yahweh to appoint a man over the congregation?
Look at Moses’ own words about the people being like sheep without a shepherd if no leader is appointed.
Numbers 27:17
What did Yahweh say Moses should do to Joshua in front of others?
Find the actions that had to happen before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
Numbers 27:19, Numbers 27:20
How do the last two verses show Moses’ obedience?
List the actions Moses actually did, and compare them with what Yahweh had commanded.
Numbers 27:18, Numbers 27:19, Numbers 27:22, Numbers 27:23
Make, think or respond
Story Sequence and Commission Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Help children choose four to six key moments from the passage, such as Moses sees the land, Moses asks for a leader, Yahweh chooses Joshua, Joshua stands before Eleazar and the congregation, Moses lays hands on Joshua.
- Children draw one moment on each card and, if able, add a short label.
- Mix the cards, then work alone or in pairs to place them in the correct order from the passage.
- Invite each child or pair to retell the story using the ordered cards and point out the choices and outcomes in the text.
This activity helps children sequence Numbers 27:12–23 and notice that Joshua’s commissioning happened publicly as Yahweh commanded.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, provide four pre-selected story moments and let them draw only one picture for each before sequencing together.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to add a short sentence under each card explaining the choice or outcome shown in that verse.
An optional closing prayer
‘Yahweh, thank you that you cared for your people and gave them a leader. Please help us listen carefully to your word and learn from Moses and Joshua. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Numbers 27
12 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.
13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered;
14 because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
15 Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying,
16 “Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
18 Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
19 Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
20 You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
22 Moses did as Yahweh commanded him. He took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
23 He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.