The People Grumbled
(Numbers 11-12)
June 22, 2025
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
Today in Elevate Kids we talked about how the Israelites’ grumbling in Numbers 11 and 12 showcases God’s graciousness to provide abundantly more than their ungrateful hearts deserved. Though He made His presence visible among them, they did not believe He offered them His best. God’s people began to treat God’s miraculous provision as though it were mundane.
Why were the Israelites so prone to overlook God’s mercies? How are we tempted to fall into these same patterns?
The Israelites faulted God—and by default, Moses—for not providing the comforts they desired. They openly grumbled, not holding back their objections. Though God faithfully provided for them, they fixated on only the good parts of the lives they left behind, from the delicious food to the consolation found in knowing what to expect each day. Their view of God’s goodness shrank, and their desire for worldly comfort grew with each step they took away from Egypt.
We witness the cycle of unbelief in today’s story: the people grumbled, Moses intervened, God relented from destruction, and they began this pattern all over again. They overlooked God’s provision for their journey and the guidance Moses provided. This pattern is one we can fall prey to as we neglect to express gratitude for God’s provision in our lives. When we, like the Israelites, focus on what we perceive as lacking in our lives, we neglect the undeserved mercy and grace He grants us each day.
Moses was a set-apart leader who interceded for the Israelites and desired that God would redeem them from sin; however, he could not put an end to the pattern of their wayward hearts. But One was coming, a prophet like Moses, who could offer the gift of eternal salvation and forgiveness of sin. The long-awaited Messiah, Jesus, would be the fulfillment of all God’s promises. Help the kids in your family see that God supplies our every need—most supremely, our need to be made right with Him forever. Pray that they see God’s goodness and kindness to them in Christ.
** Next week: The People Doubted (Numbers 13-14)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read Numbers 11-12 from the Bible.
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We live in a world that is never satisfied and always wants more: more money, more toys, more clothing, more followers. We are constantly told to get more, or else we won’t truly be happy. But there is a big problem with always wanting more. If we always want more, then we are never satisfied. No matter how much we receive or achieve, there is always more.
God had done miraculous things to rescue the Israelites, and He had provided for them in ways that only He could do. And yet, they wanted more. They wanted God to do more, give them more, and let them be more important than Moses. Though God had given them way more than they deserved, they were not satisfied with God or His gifts.
If we aren’t careful, we can get so focused on the treasures of this world that we forget the treasure we have in Christ. Even the good things God gives to us can make us forget how good He is as the Giver. The way to be satisfied with God is to always remember He provided Jesus to meet our greatest need of forgiveness and salvation. Rather than wanting more, we can be completely satisfied with Jesus because He is more than enough!
The people grumbled because they thought they needed more than God had provided. We also grumble when we wish God would give us more of the things we want. But God has already provided what we need most—His Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so we could be saved.
Pray:
God, we have everything we need in Jesus, so help us be satisfied in Him. Help us remember the great price He paid to save us from sin and the great rewards we have in His name. When our hearts desire more, teach us to be content with You.
Amen. -
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIrV
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Mornings
Ask God to teach you contentment today. Contentment is trusting that God is good and has given us everything He wants us to have. Ask God to forgive the ways you have let your wants stop you from worshiping Him as the Creator.
Evenings
Thank God for the example of humility we have in Jesus. Jesus willingly came to earth so He could endure suffering and death to save us. Ask God for wisdom and strength to give up your own selfish desires to serve Jesus.
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For Fun
Create a complaint jar to keep in the living room or kitchen. Whenever a family member—kids or parents—complain about something, they must put spare change in the jar. At the end of the week, talk as a family about how easily our hearts can fall into complaining and how discontent we can be. Pray as a family for faith to trust in God’s good plan for your lives.
To Serve
Cook a meal, assemble a care basket, or do a random act of service for someone this week.
Talk about how good it feels to serve others and how this can be an act of worship as it reminds us how Jesus served us. Talk as a family about how serving others can keep our hearts from becoming self-centered and discontent.