In fact, God’s blessings are often accompanied by hard work on our part. If we do not trust God, we can only see the obstacles ahead of us.
That is just what happened in Numbers 13 and 14, when God sent spies into the land of Canaan, the land God had promised to give his people. Instead of praising God for the good report the spies brought back, the people wailed and wept in fear.
This simple paper plate craft is a great way to help kids learn about the story of the spies sent into Canaan, and to teach them a little about the illuminated illustrations of the early medieval World Chronicle!
Numbers 13 and 14
The story of the 12 spies sent into Canaan is found in Numbers 13 and 14. Read the two chapters together as a family.
Talk about:
- Who sent the spies into Canaan?
- What report did the spies bring back?
- How was the report of the ten spies different from the report given by Moses, and supported by Joshua?
- How did the people react–in faith or in fear?
- Why is it easy to react in fear sometimes?
- What was the consequence for not trusting God?
- Read Proverbs 3:5 together. How should we respond to the promises of God?
The story of Caleb, Joshua, and the other spies sent into Canaan should remind us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.
12 Spies Sent into Canaan Craft
Check out this fun video of the Caleb and Joshua craft!
Spies in Canaan Craft Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies to make your Caleb and Joshua craft:
- Cardstock
- Paper Plate
- Permanent Markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Printable Template with Instructions
Cardstock Paper
Fiskars Scissors[300 Pack] Bulk Disposable White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch LargeSharpie 30078 Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Classic Colors, 8 Count (Assorted)Elmers Washable No-Run School Glue, 4 oz, 1 Bottle (E304) – Pack of 2Elmer’s-E5010 Extra Strength Glue Sticks, 0.28 Ounces, 4 CountPentel Twist-Erase Express Mechanical Pencil, 0.5mm, Assorted Barrel Colors (QE415LZBP4), 4 pack
![[300 Pack] Bulk Disposable White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch Large](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qxKF4CHMS._SL500_.jpg)
Creating Your World Chronicle Based Craft
Your Spies in Canaan craft is based on an illuminated illustration in the World Chronicle, written by Rudolf von Ems.
- Rudolf von Ems was a knight, born in Austria. He probably died in 1254 while attacking Italy.
- Rudoph von Ems was a poet who wrote The Chronicle of the World (Weltchronick), a history of the world from Creation until the death of King Solomon.
- The World Chronicle was written mid-1200s, in the early medieval period.
- Before the invention of the printing press, when Johann Gutenberg first printed the Bible, manuscripts were hand copied by scribes.
- These manuscripts were often illuminated. Various artists would paint scenes from the text in bright colors, often accenting them with gold and silver.
- To learn more about the printing press and the Gutenberg Bible, check out What Was the Gutenberg Bible?.
- The illustration of the spies sent into Canaan is taken from the copy of World Chronicle which is housed at Fulda University and State Library in Germany.
- You can take a look at the pages of the World Chronicle Fulda here (some of the illustrations may not be appropriate). Talk about the significance of being able to envision scenes from Scripture.
You and your kids can make a representation of the biblical story of the spies sent to Canaan from Numbers 13, from the 1350-1375 illuminated illustration Joshua and Caleb with a Giant Grape from Canaan.
1) Print and cut out the template pieces.
Print the template pages from step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
2) Cut out the pieces for the Caleb and Joshua scene.
Trace and cut out the template pieces for Caleb, Joshua, two of the other spies, and the giant bunch of grapes. Your child can choose the cardstock colors they prefer.
Illuminated manuscripts used bright colors in their miniature paintings. Medieval artists often created figures that looked and dressed like the people of the time, rather than attempting to portray historically accurate biblical figures. Your spies will look like medieval Germans, rather resembling the historic Jewish spies sent into Canaan.
3) Assemble the Caleb and Joshua figures.
Glue the face to the hair, the hands behind the arms, and the coat over the top of the tunic, as shown.
Glue the arms behind the body, as shown.
Glue the legs behind the tunic, the head to the top of the body, and the hat on top of the head.
Use a permanent marker to give your figure a face.
Repeat the steps to make your second figure.
4) Assemble your remaining spies for the scene.
Glue the hands behind the arms, and the face to the hair and beard.
Glue the hat to the head, and a second arm behind the body, as shown.
Glue the head to the body, and one leg diagonally reaching backward, as shown.
Glue the second leg reaching diagonally forward, so your spy looks as though he is walking. Trim the edges of the legs so they fit under the edges of the tunic.
Use a permanent marker to draw a face on your spy.
Create a second spy, using the same steps.
5) Create your cluster of grapes.
Glue the short gold bar to the bottom side of the ring. Then, glue the bar over the grape bunch, as shown.
Insert the long bar through the ring, then glue the ring to the bar in the middle of the bar, as shown.
Insert the shortest bar through the ring and glue it, as shown.
Use a permanent marker to draw individual grapes onto the grape bunch.
6) Assemble your 12 spies into Canaan scene.
Glue the bunch of grapes between the two spies, as shown.
Cut out a circle roughly the size of the paper plate. Glue the circle to the paper plate as a background. Then, glue the Caleb and Joshua figures to the right side of the plate, and the two spies carrying the grapes to the left side of the plate, as shown.
Display your 12 Spies Sent into Canaan craft somewhere your child will see it as a reminder that we trust God, even when circumstances seem frightening.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Puzzle-Based Independent Bible Study for Kids!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2, ESV
-
- Observe: They pay attention to what they’re reading.
- Interpret: They figure out what the Bible means in that section.
- Apply: They decide how the truth of God’s Word impacts their life today.
There are a great many truths in life to be found—some interesting, some boring, and some that really matter. You can be the kind of investigator who spends time puzzling out important truth so that you can know all the knowable knowledge that God has given us. That’s right. God, the Creator of the Universe, gave you a great big letter from him to explore and study so that you can discover the truths that really matter to your life!”
Bible Investigators: Creation, (The Good Book Company, 2024), page 7
The Bible Investigators: Creation Bible study for kids, written by Danika Cooley and published by The Good Book Company, is 272-pages of learning, puzzles, and fun activities designed to help your kids become amazing independent Bible investigators–observing, interpreting, and applying God’s Word as they learn what the Bible teaches on a particular subject.
Bible Puzzles for Kids
Middle grade kids, aged 8-12, love puzzles. After all, their brains are just built for figuring things out and memorizing facts. Puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids develop logic skills and retain important information. And, the book is written in a fun, conversational tone your children are sure to love!
What types of puzzles and activities will you find in Bible Investigators?
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- Word Searches
- Crosswords
- Rebus Puzzles
- Dot-to-Dots
- Logic Puzzles
- Missing Letter Puzzles
- Cryptograms
- Word Sudoku
- Mazes
- How-to-Draw Pages
- Matching Pairs
- Word Scrambles
- Journal Pages
Every child is sure to find activities they’ll love!
Elementary-aged kids need hands-on middle grade resources that engage them and equip them to process important truths.
Bible Investigators is the perfect resource to teach your kids about an important biblical doctrine, while helping them apply God’s Word to their lives today.
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