Numbers 13: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Numbers 13 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh commanded Moses to send spies into Canaan, a land He promised to the Israelites (vv. 1-3). Moses sent twelve leaders from each tribe to spy out the land (vv.

Key verse

“Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!”
Numbers 13:30 (WEB)

Outline

Numbers 13:1–3 God Commands the Spying Mission
Numbers 13:4–16 The Twelve Spies Named
Numbers 13:17–20 Instructions for the Spies
Numbers 13:21–25 The Spies Explore Canaan
Numbers 13:26–29 The Report of the Spies
Numbers 13:30–33 Caleb's Faith vs. Others' Fear

Discussion questions

In v6, who is Caleb, and what role does he play among the scouts?
What does the report in v27 say about the land of Canaan?
The contrast in vv. 30-31: how do Caleb's and the other scouts' perspectives differ?
The phrase 'we were in our own sight as grasshoppers' in v33: what does this suggest about their view of themselves?
When have you felt like a 'grasshopper' in a challenging situation, as seen in v33?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 13: Numbers 14, Deuteronomy 1, Joshua 14.

Before next time: read Numbers 14.