Scripture: 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn Satan can still convince godly people to disobey God.
- Students will learn David’s pride and perhaps lack of faith in God caused him to sin. We too can let our pride and lack of faith cause us to make poor choices.
- Students will learn it is important to listen to godly people and take their advice when it too is godly.
- Students will learn to use large “number words” when solving math problems.
Guiding Question: How can students use words that represent large numbers in math?
Materials: Toy soldiers, paper, pencils
Procedure: Review the story of David counting his fighting men. Read Exodus 30:12 to students. It wasn’t just that David was proud or frightened and wanted to count his fighting men. It was also that he disobeyed a direct command from God. God was supposed to order any census or counting done in Israel. As part of the process, a “ransom” was also supposed to be paid for each person who was counted. God did not order the census David wanted and it doesn’t appear any “ransom” was paid to God for each person counted. This disobedience can lead to a lack of faith. It is important to surround ourselves with godly people who will help us stay on track with our faith when we make mistakes and sin.
Teach the students large “number words” and words used in math operations (add, subtract, multiply). Give them toy soldiers where one soldier represents one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand, etc soldiers. Have students count and do math operations with the soldiers.
Additional Questions: How can students practice using large number words?
Supplemental Activity: Have students create math problems with large number words for a partner to solve.