St. Bronislava Catholic Church Youth Ministry  

The Book of Numbers

BON VOYAGE!  Think of life as a long trip.  You have a good start, but you still have a long way to go.  Along the way you have some big choices to make.  A detour may take you years out of the way or even keep you from reaching your goal.

 

That's something the Israelites discovered.  Numbers tells about their journey toward the promised land.  It tells about choices they made, especially one particular choice that led to 38 years of wandering before God finally got them back on track.  God didn't desert his people in their wilderness, and he won't desert you either.  But life will be a lot better if you stay on the right road.

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Grab your Bible and Can YOU Relate?!

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 5:5-8

You didn't mean for Keri to see the note you wrote about her.  You didn't even mean what you wrote.  But Keri saw the note, and she's hurt.  This passage says that when you "wrong another in any way" (Numbers 5:6), you have to make up for it.  First, admit you're guilty of doing wrong.  Then make "full restitution" for the wrong, with a bonus.  How?  You start by telling Keri you know you did wrong.  Then you tell everyone who saw the note you were wrong.  You apologize to Keri in front of them and ask her to forgive you.  It may be hard.  It may be tough.  But it's the right thing to do.

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 9:15-23

Do you ever feel like you're out there all alone?  That even God isn't around?  Hey, wouldn't it be great at times to have a fiery cloud floating nearby as proof that God is right there with you?  And have it move to show you just where God wants you to go?  Well, it won't happen.  God isn't in the fiery cloud business these days.  But you can still know that God is with you, for sure.  Just memorize his promise:  "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Dueteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).  With a promise like that, you don't need a fiery cloud.

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 12

It's a good thing to be an officer in your youth group or school club.  Being an officer is an opportunity to help your group reach its goals.  It's a way to serve God and others.  Miriam and Aaron didn't see leadership that way.  They were already important leaders in Israel.  But they were jealous of Moses, who had the top job.  They were like teens who want to be elected youth group officers so they can feel important instead of so they can contribute.  It's OK to run for office, but watch your motives.  And if someone else wins, try not to be jealous.  Instead, get behind that person 100 percent.

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 13:31-14:9

Are you afraid when you have to do something you've never done before?  What if you make a mistake?  What if you don't have all the answers or don't know what to do next?  It's a real temptation to focus on the obstacles.  That's what the Israelite spies did when they traveled through Canaan.  Ten of the spies could only think about how strong the cities were and how big the people looked.  But two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, didn't see obstacles-they saw God.  They said, "The LORD will lead us" (Numbers 14:8).  That's the best way to approach something new.  Remember that God will lead you.  And then jump in.

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 15:37-41

Are your parents totally out of style when it comes to the clothes you wear?  Or are they pretty stylish?  It's true that teens know better what's in at school than their parents do.  But there's a little more to choosing clothing than copying what your friends wear.  The Israelites were told to wear tassels with a blue cord on the corners of their garments.  The tassels were to remind the Israelites they were God's people.  The clothing was a sign of their identity.  Your clothes identify you too.  Your clothes say, "This is who I am."  The important thing is to be sure that your clothes say, "I'm a Christian who tries always to please God."

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 16:23-24

Have you ever wondered why your mom or dad wants to meet the guy or girl you're dating?  Or the kids you hang around with after school?  Do you think they're just hassling you?  Being mean?  Or is there more to it?  God told the Israelites to "move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram" when these men organized a rebellion.  Then the ground opened up beneath them, and they were killed.  Your parents want to know your friends in case you ever need the same warning.  They don't want you in the middle of big problems or messy situations.  When they say, "Stay away from there," stop a minute to listen and obey.

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 30

Some promises are hard to keep.  You say, "I'll be there.  I promise."  And then your mom makes you stay home. Or you say, "I'll do that tomorrow.  I promise."  And then you completely forget about it.  Sometimes your broken promises are serious.  Sometimes they're no big deal.  But making a promise to God is a serious thing.  When you make God a promise, whether to give regularly, to read the Bible, to witness to a particular person, whatever, be sure to do what you say.

Can you Relate? NUMBERS 32:1-24

When your youth group has a service project, do you show up?  How about when your youth group goes out visiting?  Or delivers Christmas baskets?  Can others count on you to do your share?  The Israelite tribes who settled east of the Jordan river didn't just settle there and stay.  First they crossed to the west side of the river and helped their fellow Israelites conquer that land.  Whenever something important is accomplished, it's because everyone contributes and does his or her fair share.  Your youth group needs your support.