Forgetting God’s provision causes us to distrust Him when we’re in need.

SCRIPTURE | Numbers 14:11-24

CENTRAL TRUTH

Because of Christ, we never receive what we truly deserve. God disciplines us to correct us because we’ve been forgiven. The consequences we face for our sin actually reflect the fact that we’ve been forgiven (Heb. 12:7).

Key question

GOD FORGAVE THE ISRAELITES (v. 20), SO WHY DID THEY STILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?

Keep in Mind

Some of our students hear the word discipline and associate it with unloving or harsh discipline they’ve experienced here. Some of them have grown up in homes where their parents or guardians didn’t act out of love. But we can remind our students of several truths. God’s discipline is always done out of great love for us. We have to be careful not to make too many comparisons between our earthly fathers and God the Father. Our parents, guardians, and authority figures here on earth are imperfect sinners. Even the best ones will still make mistakes in the ways they lead us. But God is not like us. His ways are good and for our good—even in discipline. When God allows us to experience consequences for our sin as a form of discipline, He does so out of great love for us because sin separates us from Him.

APPLICATION

What would have been so wrong with the Israelites going back to Egypt? What would be so bad about us returning to our “Egypt”?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: While Egypt meant physical slavery for Israel, our students face similar situations. Many of them have, in a sense, left “Egypt.” There will be moments in their relationship with God when things get difficult. But going back will never lead them to freedom. Going back only leads to being enslaved to the sin which used to bind them (Gal. 4:9).  

FOR THE LEADER: Many of us have looked back at our own “Egypt” and maybe even briefly returned. We can share with students how this only enslaved us all over again. Our own experience with looking back can help reinforce the futility in it.