Grade 4 CRE Bible Stories: Zacchaeus The Tax Collector – Balaam's Donkey Notes
CRE Notes — Bible Stories
Topic: Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
Subtopic: Balaam's Donkey (Numbers 22:21–35)
Note: In our Bible stories unit we study different stories. This subtopic is Balaam's Donkey — a story from the Old Testament. We study it to learn about obeying God and listening carefully.
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Memory verse (short & easy):
"The Lord opened the donkey's mouth." — Numbers 22:28 (short form)
Who is in the story?
- Balaam — a prophet who was asked to bless a king.
- Balak — a king who wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites.
- The donkey — Balaam's animal that saw an angel first.
- An angel — sent by God to stop Balaam from going the wrong way.
Short story for age 9 (easy words)
- Balaam was told to go to a king named Balak to curse God's people.
- On the road Balaam rode his donkey. The donkey stopped because it could see an angel blocking the way.
- Balaam did not see the angel and hit the donkey to make it move.
- God opened the donkey's mouth and the donkey spoke, asking Balaam why he hit it!
- Then Balaam could see the angel. The angel told Balaam to obey God, not men.
Simple picture idea:
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Draw Balaam on a donkey with a bright angel in front. Use yellow for the angel's light. Put the speech bubble: "Why did you hit me?" near the donkey.
What we learn (lessons)
- Obey God first. Even if others ask you to do something wrong, listen to God.
- God can surprise us — He can use anyone or anything to teach a lesson.
- Think before you act. If you are quick to hit or shout, you may be wrong.
- Listen carefully. Sometimes God helps us through small things — like a donkey!
Kenyan classroom activities (fun & simple)
- Role play: One child is Balaam, one is the donkey (use a stuffed toy or scarf), one is the angel. Act out the road scene.
- Draw & colour: Make a comic strip with 3 boxes — donkey sees angel, donkey speaks, Balaam listens.
- Memory game: Repeat the short memory verse together and make a small song to help remember.
- Local example: Talk about a time you were told to do something by friends. What did you choose? Why?
Questions to ask (for class or at home)
- Who saw the angel first — Balaam or the donkey?
- Why did the donkey stop?
- What did God do to help Balaam see the angel?
- How can we obey God in our school or at home?
Short prayer (for children)
Dear God, help me to listen to you. Teach me to do what is right and to be kind. Thank you for helping me learn. Amen.
Key words (easy)
- Prophet: A person who speaks for God.
- Angel: A messenger from God.
- Obey: To do what someone (or God) asks you to do.
Takeaway:
Always try to listen to God and think before you act. God can help us in surprising ways — even using a donkey to teach us a lesson!
Prepared for CRE class (age 9) — suitable for Sunday school, primary school Religious Education, or home reading in Kenya.