Atchinson, B. & Graham, G. (1988). Numbers. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

I. Preparation for the Journey (Numbers 1-10)

A. The Numbering (Numbers 1-4).
B. Instructions and Organization (Numbers 5-10).

II. The Grumblings of the Journey (Numbers 11-21).

A. Initial Grumbling-Fire from the Lord (Numbers 11:1-3).
B. Grumbling about Manna-The Plague (Numbers 11:4-35).
C. Grumbling out of Jealousy-Miriam's Leprosy (Numbers 12).
D. Grumbling of the Spies-Forty-Year Wandering (Numbers 13-14).
E. Grumbling Against Leadership-Earth Opens (Numbers 16:1-40).
F. Grumbling the Next Day-Another Plague (Numbers 16:41-50).
G. Grumbling about Water-Moses Gets It (Numbers 20).
H. Grumbling about Food Again-Poisonous Snakes (Numbers 21).

III. Preparation for the New Journey (Numbers 21-36).

A. The Early Victories (Numbers 21-25).
B. The New Numbering (Numbers 26).
C. The Review and Instructions (Numbers 27-36).
(NOTE: Laws and instructions are interspersed through section II.)

FRAMEWORK

• Author: Generally accepted as Moses.
• Location: Sinai Peninsula and Transjordan.
• Key people: Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Balaam.
• Historical period: The 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
• Concepts: The overall theme is lack of appreciation, trust, faith, and obedience. God responds to His peoples' grumblings immediately and decisively. The result is that God's best plans and intentions for His people are blocked. God is the God of the second chance and Moses never gives up on the people either.

YOUTH MINISTRY POSSIBILITIES