God assigns Moses a job
key words
biblical reference
Exodus 2:15; 4:23
memory verse
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God” (Psalm 143:10a, NIV*).
lesson objective
To help children learn that God helps people accomplish the tasks he gives them.
prepare yourself to teach
When a Hebrew man asked Moses, “Who told you that you are our boss and can judge us?” (Exodus 2:14), he did not know how prophetic the words were! Prince Moses, the adoptive son of the daughter of the Egyptian Pharaoh was ready to be the boss and judge his people. The land of Midian, where Moses had fled, was southeast of Mount Sinai, on the eastern coast of the Red Sea. It is believed that the Midianites derived their name from Midian, the fourth son of Abraham and Keturah. This town was dedicated to the care of sheep and the people lived in tents.
Moses married the daughter of the priest, Jethro, and worked as a shepherd looking over the sheep of his father-in-law. This work taught him how to survive in the desert where the Midianites had their home, and it was the way in which God was preparing him for the work that God would entrusted to him.
God himself revealed his plans using a burning bush to draw the attention of Moses. Fire is present in many of the revelations of God. It represents his holy presence. For the Hebrews and for many other nations of the past, fire was a special sign of a deity.
God wanted Moses to take his people out of Egypt. He said it would be a long process because Pharaoh would not let his slaves go; but God would always be with Moses, and would never leave him alone.
As you prepare for today’s lesson remember your role in teaching your children the doctrines of the Christian faith and helping them develop Christlike character, attitudes and habits.
adaptation
Like Moses, we often feel that God sends us difficult jobs to do. The same is true for your children. They find it hard to obey their parents when they are told to finish their chores instead of going to play with their friends; or to return money they found, etc. These tasks seem so simple for us as adults, but involve so much commitment on the part of children, and they need to know that God is with them and helps them during all the difficult situations.
Our children are a part of a society full of sin. However, like Moses and like us, they are also called to help those who do not know Christ to be freed from the slavery of sin. It is important during the development of this lesson that they understand that when God asks us to perform difficult tasks, he also enables us to complete them and goes with us along the way.
introduce the lesson
Write the following sentences on a piece of poster board or on the chalkboard:
(1) Please, God, send someone else to do the job!
(2) Please, God, send me!
Ask your group:
“Do you know someone who does not want to do what God has called them to do?” (Let the children respond.)
“What do you think of those who do what they want regardless of the will of God?”
Reflect on these two questions and say: “When God gives someone a job, the person can respond in two different ways.” (Refer to the two phrases written on the board.) “What response do you believe the children of God must give?”
Encourage children to remember the stories of various Bible characters who decided to obey the will of God. (Joseph, David, Joshua, Abraham, Peter, Jesus, John, etc.)
After the children have completed their participation, ask again, “What do you think would have happened if these Bible characters would have said to God: ‘Please send someone else?’’’(Let them respond.)
teach the lesson
Reflect on Exodus 2:15 and 4:23 before the session and be prepared to tell the story in your own words. Briefly review the lesson from the previous class as an introduction to today’s story.
If it is possible, illustrate your lesson with pictures related to the subject, as well as drawings, books, or photographs about Egypt. Tell the group that the pyramids among the seven wonders of the ancient world, and that Egyptian civilization was remarkably developed for that time period. If possible show pictures of Egypt to your children and let them study the pictures. Also, if possible show on a map the location of the ancient Egyptian empire and its proximity to the land of the Hebrews.
Talk to your children about the living conditions of the Hebrew people when they were slaves, and emphasize what Moses did to defend a Hebrew. Encourage children to imagine what feelings Moses was having leaving his family behind to go to an unknown place.
Tell how God revealed himself to Moses in the midst of a burning bush; and about the plans God had to free his people. Give the opportunity for children to participate and answer your questions as best as they can. It is important to understand God was preparing Moses, a long time beforehand, to help him lead God’s chosen people.
connect the lesson
The burning bush
Give children Student Activity Sheet #107-A. Give them time to color the bush and put their name on the worksheet.
While the children work on their pictures, ask the following questions:
1. How would you feel if suddenly you saw a bush that was burning but not being consumed?
2. What did God ask Moses to do?
3. How did Moses respond?
4. What did God promise Moses he would do?
Emphasize that God gives us the help we need to do what he asks of us. He does not expect us to do it in our own strength. God promised Moses that he would be with him. In Exodus 4:12 God says, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
The funny pencil
Explain to the children the instructions on Student Activity Sheet #107-B and help them find the special message that God has for them. (The pictures are: house, horse, balloon, music, cat. The answers are: collaborators, be, him. You may want to explain what the word “collaborators” means.)
Tell you children, “If you wish, you can decorate the worksheet and use it to tell the Bible story to your family and friends.”
practice the memory verse
Have the children turn in their Bibles to the memory verse (Psalm 143:10) and read it out loud. After repeating it several times (by row, groups, and individually) allow them to come forward one by one to recite it by memory. Help those who have difficulty to learn it and ask parents to assist their child during the week by going over it with them.
wrap-up
Pray
Guide children in prayer and, if they have prayer requests, give them time to tell the class about their requests.
Encourage
To end the class, ask your children questions to review the lesson they’ve learned. Encourage them to trust God to help them accomplish the tasks he gives them.
Invite
Invite the group to attend the next session to learn more about God’s plan for his people. Evaluate the participation of children and try to improve the areas where you feel that there are problems, and ask parents of children to encourage them to review with their children during the week what they have learned in the group.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™