God rescues His people
key words
biblical reference
Exodus 13:17—15:2
lesson objective
That the children know that God uses His power to take care of his children.
memory verse
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power, his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
It is not unusual for some children to spend hours in front of the television, perhaps watching cartoons of superheroes with fantastic powers. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish where fantasy ends and reality begins. Therefore, they must understand that God is the only one who has the power to perform supernatural events, because he is the Creator and sustainer of all that exists.
They must be sure that God’s power is real and that he is willing to help his children, even in the most difficult trials. The history of the liberation of the chosen people of God will increase their confidence in the care and protection of God.
biblical commentary
Read Exodus 13:17-15:2. The story of the Exodus allows us to see God’s great power. First, he saved little Moses from dying in the Nile River. Years later he called Moses in a supernatural way, speaking to him from a burning bush in order to give him specific instructions for saving His people. God had a plan to free his people and for everyone to know that He is the only almighty God.
The Hebrews also needed to be convinced that they could be free. They did not want to leave the benefits they enjoyed in Egypt, even though they were slaves, since they did not know another way of life. Therefore, Moses had to earn their trust as a leader.
God showed himself to Moses by turning his rod into a serpent; and, when the sorcerers of Egypt tried to copy that miracle, the Lord sent plagues that attacked the power of the Egyptian gods.
The plague of the water turned into blood was a direct attack on the god Hapi, god of the Nile. The plague of the frogs was a mockery against the god Hept, an Egyptian frog-like god, symbolizing fertility and birth. The plague of darkness showed the falsity of Ra, god of the sun. To show that Hat-Hot (god in the form of a cow) and Apis (in the form of a bull) were false idols, God sent the plague of cattle death. The military symbol of the Egyptian people was a hornet, and God demonstrated his power over these gods by sending them the plagues of lice and flies. With each plague, the true God demonstrated his great power over the false Egyptian idols.
God showed his power by freeing his people from the most powerful empire of that time. When the Egyptians changed their minds and pursued the people of Israel, God showed himself during the night as a pillar of fire, and during the day as a cloud, reminding them of his presence every day.
What God did when opening the Red Sea was one of the most impressive events in the history of the Jews. Often, the prophets and apostles reminded the people of this fact as a sign of God’s faithfulness.
Help the children understand that God is bigger than any problem or difficulty we face on our way.
introduce the lesson
Superpowers
Talk with the children about television characters who demonstrate superpowers or perform extraordinary activities. Allow everyone to participate, and if possible, allow time for him or her to give a brief description of the character they most admire.
We suggest that you bring cutouts from newspapers and magazines or drawings of characters that the children consider “fantastic”. Show them, and ask them to say which is real and which is fiction.
If you notice that some are confused, explain that most of these characters are the product of someone’s imagination and that they do not exist in reality. The only one who can do supernatural things is God.
Treat this topic tactfully; helping them to understand that it is important to trust only in the miracles that God can perform.
Then tell them: “Today we will talk about a very special topic. We will study one of the miracles that God did to free his people from slavery.”
Follow the path
Using cardboard or poster board, make 16 footprints. In each one, write one of the words of Exodus 15:2. Then, stick them on the floor to form a path around the room. Tell your children that this verse is part of today’s story, and encourage them to repeat it while following the path, trying not to step on the footprints.
teach the lesson
God rescues his people
“No, you will not leave here! I will not let my slaves leave Egypt!” cried Pharaoh.
Then, he ordered his officers, “Increase their workload.”
Moses and his brother Aaron went before Pharaoh many times to ask for the freedom of God’s people, but he refused to let them go. Time after time, God showed him His power. He caused the waters of the Nile River to turn to blood, and covered the earth with frogs. But the sorcerers of Pharaoh copied those miracles with their magic tricks.
Later, God sent a terrible plague of lice. This time the Egyptian magicians could not imitate what God had done. However, the king’s heart was still hardened.
Then God sent a plague of flies.
Next, the Egyptians and their cattle were filled with sores that produced intense pain.
God sent other plagues to punish the Egyptians for their stubbornness: hail, locusts and darkness on the earth.
Finally, God sent the angel of death to strike the firstborn of all the families and cattle of the Egyptians.
Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Tell the Hebrews that I will set you free. Get out of my country!”
The people were happy with the news. They all quickly followed Moses, because God had promised to take them to a beautiful land. The people praised God because at last they would be free from Egyptian slavery.
God made a special plan to guide the Hebrews to the land of Canaan. To help them know that he was with them, a pillar of cloud guided them during the day, and at night, a pillar of fire lit the way for them as they walked.
When they reached the shores of the Red Sea, the village decided to camp, and that is where the problems began.
“The Egyptians are coming!” someone shouted. “Look at the dust their carriages are raising! They are getting closer!”
“We should have stayed in Egypt!” others shouted. “Why did you bring us to die in the desert?” they asked Moses.
God had told Moses that the Egyptians would go after them, but Moses knew that the power of God was greater.
“Do not be afraid! You will see that the power of God will free us from danger!” Moses proclaimed to the people.
The noise of horses and chariots sounded closer and closer.
When it began to get dark, God moved the pillar of cloud and placed it between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. The people of God would have clarity to continue traveling, while the Egyptians would remain in darkness.
“Lift up your rod over the sea,” God commanded Moses.
Moses obeyed God, and the wind blew so hard that it split open the sea in two, forming a dry road for the Israelites to cross upon.
Very early in the morning, the whole group began to cross over in the middle of the sea. When they looked back, they saw that the Egyptians were following them the same way.
However, God caused the wheels of the Egyptian chariots to break, and everyone shouted, “We must get away from the Hebrews! Their God is fighting against us!”
When all the Hebrew people had safely crossed to the other side, God told Moses to raise his staff again. Then, the waters of the sea returned to their place, covering the Egyptian soldiers, their horses and their chariots. God saved his people with his great power.
Moses and all the people praised God, singing the words that we find in Exodus 15:2: “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
connect the lesson
The crossing of the Red Sea
Pass out Student Activity Sheet #185-A and #185-B, and have your children cut out the action figures of the soldiers and Hebrews at the edges of the page. Then, cut out the figure of the Red Sea and shorelines along the solid lines, and fold it along the dotted lines. This will create a stage for the biblical story.
Tell them to take it home, and encourage them to tell their family members what they learned using the action figures and stage.
practice the memory verse
Form a circle, and place yourself in the center with a soft ball and throw it to one of your children. The child who receives it should say, “I can trust that God will help me because Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5). Continue with other kids.
wrap-up
Pray
Pray, giving thanks to God for who he is and for what everyone learned today.
Encourage
Ask your children what they liked most about the story. Remind them that we also belong to the people of God. In the same way that he helped the Hebrews, he cares for us and helps us in times of danger. Explain that our God can do supernatural things because his power is immense. Conclude by singing praises about God’s great power.
Invite
Say something interesting about the next session. Remind the children to attend and to invite friends.
* 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.™
* 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.™