Timing: 3 minutes (2 min pair-share, 1 min group share) Instructions: Have people share with the person next to them first, then hear 2-3 examples from the group.
Think about a time when you had to advocate for change within a system (work, school, church, family):
Did you work within the system or try to overthrow it?
What gave you courage to speak up?
How did authority figures respond?
Looking for: Examples of respectful advocacy. If someone shares about rebellion, gently redirect to how working within systems can be more effective. This sets up the daughters' approach.
📖 Scripture Reading
Numbers 27:1-11
Focus: Five sisters approach Moses at the tent of meeting to request their father's inheritance since he had no sons.
Instructions: Have someone read aloud (2 minutes). Consider having 2-3 people read different sections to keep engagement. After reading, give 30 seconds of silence for reflection before moving to questions.
💭 Discussion Questions
1Setting the Scene
⏱️ 2 minutes
What details in verses 1-2 show these women understood protocol and respect for authority?
Where did they stand? (entrance of tent of meeting)
Who was present? (Moses, Eleazar, leaders, whole assembly)
What does this public setting suggest about their approach?
Looking for: They didn't sneak around or complain privately. They went through proper channels, showing respect for God's order. This validates working within systems rather than against them.
2The Case They Made
⏱️ 3 minutes
Read verses 3-4 carefully. How did the daughters frame their argument?
What did they say about their father? (died for own sin, not in Korah's rebellion)
What injustice did they identify? (family name would disappear)
Notice: They didn't attack the law itself—what did they request instead?
Key insight: They honored the existing law while pointing out an unintended consequence. They appealed to the spirit of the law (preserving family names) rather than attacking its letter.
3God's Response
⏱️ 3 minutes
Verses 5-7 show Moses consulting God. What's remarkable about God's answer?
God says "What Zelophehad's daughters say is right" - How might this have surprised everyone?
God doesn't just grant an exception—He updates the law for all Israel (v. 8-11)
What does this teach about the nature of biblical law?
Key Point: God validates their concern completely. He doesn't say "I'll make an exception" but "they are RIGHT." This shows God's law isn't rigid legalism but wisdom that applies justice to new situations. If someone suggests the Bible never changes, point to this story!
🔍 Literary Pattern
A Problem: No male heir (27:1-4)
B Petition to Moses (27:5)
C Specific ruling (27:6-7a)
CENTER: Law expanded for all Israel (27:7b-11)
C′ Tribal concern (36:1-4)
B′ Second ruling (36:5-9)
A′ Resolution: Daughters marry within clan (36:10-12)
Notice: The center emphasizes how one family's crisis becomes instruction for all God's people.
🌟 Key Themes
4Eden Echoes & Fall Patterns
⏱️ 3 minutes
🌿
Eden Echo
🍎
Fall Pattern
Eden Echo: Genesis 1:27-28 shows male AND female given dominion over land together. How do the daughters' request echo this original design?
Fall Pattern: The existing law's blind spot (excluding daughters) reflects fallen, broken systems. How does God's response begin restoration?
Teaching moment: Connect this to how sin creates systems that exclude people from God's original intentions. The daughters' advocacy and God's response show redemption happening within broken systems.
5Law as Living Wisdom
⏱️ 2 minutes
This story shows Torah as "covenant wisdom" not rigid legislation. Discuss:
Why didn't God include this provision in the original law?
What does this teach about applying biblical principles to new situations?
How does this balance honoring tradition with pursuing justice?
Guide discussion toward: God's law provides wisdom principles that must be applied contextually. The Bible isn't a rigid rulebook but living wisdom that addresses new situations while maintaining core principles.
✨ New Testament Connection
Galatians 3:28-29
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
6From Daughters to All Heirs
⏱️ 3 minutes
How does the daughters' story anticipate Paul's teaching?
Numbers 27: Daughters become heirs alongside sons
Galatians 3: ALL become heirs through Christ
Both passages: God expands access to inheritance
What "inheritance" do we receive in Christ?
Connection to make: The trajectory from Numbers to Galatians shows God progressively expanding inclusion. What started with five women asking for land becomes ALL people inheriting eternal life through Christ.
🎯 Application
7For Our Lives Today
⏱️ 3 minutes
Personal: Where might God be calling you to respectfully advocate for justice?
Community: What "gaps" in our church/community structures might exclude people who should be included?
Key Principle: The daughters model "faithful reform"—working within God's order while advocating for necessary change. They didn't abandon the system or attack Moses—they brought their case with wisdom and respect.
Application focus: Help people identify specific situations where they can advocate for positive change. Emphasize the "how" as much as the "what"—respectful, proper channels, honoring authority while seeking justice.
Remember: God Himself declared the daughters "right." Sometimes the most faithful thing is to respectfully point out where current practice falls short of God's justice and inclusion. The question isn't "Should things ever change?" but "How do we pursue needed change in a way that honors God and builds up the community?"
🙏 Closing Reflection
⏱️ 1 minute Instructions: Read these points aloud, then close in prayer. Ask God for wisdom to know when and how to advocate for justice in our contexts.
The daughters of Zelophehad remind us that:
✓ God listens to those who feel excluded
✓ Respectful advocacy can bring needed change
✓ Biblical justice includes updating applications while preserving principles
✓ In Christ, all barriers to inheritance are removed
Prayer focus: Wisdom for discernment, courage for advocacy, humility in approach, trust in God's justice. Consider having 2-3 people pray briefly rather than just the leader.