Lesson: 226 Lesson Name: Serpent of Brass
Theme: Salvation: Provision For All

Reading: Numbers 21:4-9

Memory Verse: John 3:14
Memory Verse Text: Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

Point 1: The Israelites still had not learned their lesson in spite of all that God had done for them because once again, complaining filled their mouths.  Why is it that God must show us the awfulness of our sin time after time?
Point 2: Particularly note their complaint again about the manna and how they said, "our soul," indicating that they were "feelings" oriented, like we are so often today (Num. 21:5).
Point 3: God's response was clear; He sent fiery serpents that would bring death after only one bite.  As a result, the people cried out to Moses.  Their words, "we have spoken," reveal that they understood how that they had sinned (Num. 21:7).  Perhaps it would be helpful to show the class that the thoughts and intents of the heart were the real cause of God's wrath and that their words were only the outcome of what was within.
Point 4: The people asked Moses to "pray unto the Lord" to take the serpents away (Num. 21:7).  This request reveals the Israelites' shortsightedness and limited faith since taking the serpents away would not prevent those already bitten from dying.  God planned to do something so much better than just take the serpents away.  What a wonderful God we have!

See also: Torrey - Man -6.4- The Manner of the New Birth

This Sunday School Curriculum guide is part of a 254 Sunday School Lesson Book available at www.gospelhall.org.  See the Downloads Section of the site for a complete copy.

The Sunday School Teacher's Survival Guide http://gospelhall.org/teaching--preaching/sunday-school-helper.html also provides advice on developing lessons for Bible classes.