Brave Like Moses’ Mom 

LESSON THEME: Safe in Loving Care

Exodus 2:1-10 tells the story of Moses’ birth during a time when Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. His mother (Jochebed) hid him for three months, then crafted a waterproof basket and placed him among the reeds of the Nile River where Pharaoh’s daughter would find him. This powerful story illustrates a mother’s sacrifice, courage, and trust in God’s provision – themes that connect beautifully to how mothers nurture and protect their children today.

WELCOME MUSIC: PLAYLIST (WEE SING KIDS)

This music should be playing in the background while the kids come in for the first 15 minutes. A craft or station will be setup to keep their attention and get them focused upon coming into the classroom.

WELCOME STATION CRAFT: Baskets of Love Mother’s Day Cards 6:00-6:15 p.m.

ITEMS NEEDED
Construction paper folded in half (card base)
Moses Mother Day Card Template
Glue sticks
Crayons or markers
Optional: Stickers

As children arrive, they can make a Mother’s Day card for their mom. For our “Basket of Love” Mother’s Day card craft, give each child a folded piece of construction paper along with pre-cut basket shapes, blue tissue paper strips, green paper strips, and small baby shapes. Help children glue the basket onto the front of their card, then add blue tissue paper at the bottom to represent water and green strips around the sides for reeds. Next, they’ll place the baby shape inside the basket and decorate with heart cut-outs floating around to symbolize love. Inside the card, assist children in completing the message “Just like Moses’ mommy, you keep me safe and love me!” and help them sign their names. As they work, remind them how Moses’ mother made a special basket to keep him safe because she loved him, just like their mommies love and protect them

WELCOME STATION GAME: Baby Moses Paper Bag Craft 6:00-6:15 p.m.

Items Needed (per child):

• Small brown paper lunch bags (1 per child)
• Blue construction paper (pre-cut in wave shapes)
• Green construction paper strips (pre-cut for reeds)
• Large popsicle sticks cut in half (1 half per child for baby Moses)
• Small pieces of fabric or tissue paper cut in 3×3 size (for blanket)
• Glue sticks
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Give each child a brown paper bag
2. Have them fold down the top edge about 2 inches to create the basket shape
3. Provide each child with half a popsicle stick
4. Let them draw a simple face on the rounded end of their popsicle stick “baby Moses”
5. Show them how to wrap their “baby Moses” in a small piece of fabric or tissue paper
6. Have them place baby Moses inside their paper bag basket
7. Let them glue blue “waves” along the bottom of their bag
8. Have them glue green paper strips around the bag to represent the reeds by the river

WORSHIP JESUS THRU MUSIC: 6:15-6:30 p.m.

Move kids by the TV into the “Worship” Area near the TV. Let kids know we are going worship Jesus through song.

• Utilize music from Children’s Christian Song CD.
• Jesus is My Best Friend (1:28)

WORSHIP JESUS THRU PRAYER: 6:30-6:40 p.m.

Transition kids to the table for prayer time.
Ask each kid to share one thing they are grateful for about their mom/grandma/aunt. Have them pray for that person.
Pick one kid to bless the snack we are about to eat.

SNACK TIME: 6:40-6:50 p.m.

Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks. Have paper or color activity on the table for kids to draw on while they eat their snack, or while they are waiting for others to finish. If there are any kids who didn’t complete the Mother’s Day Card craft prior to 6:15, now is the time to give them a card to make (or to make one for them).

Baby Moses Bible Lesson (Exodus 2:1-10)

For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

TIME: 6:50-7:10 p.m.

ITEMS NEEDED:

• Bible
• Small baby doll
• Basket
• Blanket
• Blue fabric/blanket (for river)
• Green streamers (for reeds)
• Rhythm instruments (optional)

Opening Game: “Hide the Baby”

Have children start at the front of the room. Hide the baby doll in the basket under a blanket somewhere in the room. Ask the children to search for the baby. When found, say: “Today we’re learning about a mommy who had to hide her baby to keep him safe!”

Introduction

“Today we’re going to hear a story from the Bible about a very brave mommy who loved her baby very much. Let’s listen carefully!”

Bible Story with Interactive Elements

1. Moses is Born and Hidden

Read: “Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.” (Exodus 2:1-2)

Activity: Play “Quiet Baby”

• Ask: “What did Moses’ mommy do when he was born?” (Let children answer: She hid him)
• Say: “Moses’ mommy had to keep him very quiet so no one would find him.”
• Have children practice being quiet babies by rocking in place, then on “Shhh!” they put fingers to lips and freeze.
• Count: “One month (children rock), two months (children rock), three months (children rock)! That’s a long time to keep a baby quiet, isn’t it? Shhh!” (children freeze)

2. Moses in the Basket

Read: “When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.” (Exodus 2:3)

Activity: “Build a Basket” Movement Game

• Have children stand in a circle holding hands.
• Say: “Let’s make a special basket for baby Moses.”
• Children raise their arms up and down while singing (to tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”): “Weave, weave, weave a basket, Make it strong and tight. Waterproof and very safe, To keep him through the night.”
• Then have children crouch down low and cup hands together like a basket.
• Place the baby doll in the center of the circle.
• Lay out blue fabric for “river” and have children place green streamers around the “basket” as reeds.

3. Moses’ Sister Watches

Read: “And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.” (Exodus 2:4)

Activity: “Watchful Sister” Game

• Choose one child to be the “sister” who stands a few feet away.
• Have other children cup hands around eyes like binoculars.
• Play a simple hiding game where the sister watches while you hide the baby doll under the blanket.
• Have children tiptoe quietly around the room saying: “Where’s baby Moses? We must watch carefully!”

4. Pharaoh’s Daughter Finds Moses

Read: “Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him.” (Exodus 2:5-6)

Activity: “Royal Princess Walk and Baby Cry”

• Have children pretend to be the princess and her servants walking regally to the river.
• Children walk with hands held high, taking big steps, saying: “I am the princess, coming to the river.”
• When you say “Look! A basket!” children gather around where you’ve placed the basket.
• When you open it and say “The baby is crying!” all children make gentle crying sounds.
• Then say “Oh, the poor baby!” and children make sad faces and pretend to rock a baby.

5. Moses’ Sister Offers Help

Read: “Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Go.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother.” (Exodus 2:7-8)

Activity: “Running Sister” Movement Game

• Have children line up at one end of the room.
• Choose one child to be the “sister” who asks: “Can I find someone to take care of the baby?”
• All respond: “Yes, please go!”
• The “sister” runs to the other side of the room.
• Then all children run back and forth saying: “I’ll get Moses’ mommy! I’ll get Moses’ mommy!”

6. Moses Returns to His Mother

Read: “And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed him.” (Exodus 2:9)

Activity: “Happy Mommy” Song and Dance

• Sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”:
  
  “Moses’ mommy is so happy, clap your hands! (clap twice) Moses’ mommy is so happy, clap your hands! (clap twice) She can keep her baby safe, with a smile upon her face, Moses’ mommy is so happy, clap your hands!” (clap twice)
  
• Give each child a turn to hold and rock the baby doll gently.

7. Moses Grows Up

Read: “When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, ‘Because,’ she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.'” (Exodus 2:10)

Activity: “Growing Up” Movement Game

• Have children start by curling up in a ball on the floor (as babies).
• As you count “1, 2, 3…” they slowly start to grow.
• When you reach “10!” they jump up tall with hands in the air.
• Say: “Moses grew up in the palace! His name means ‘pulled out’ because he was pulled out of the water.”
• End with a “water” movement, having children use their arms to make wave motions.

Closing Activity: “Baby Moses Review” with Rhythm

Give children simple rhythm instruments (or have them clap). Lead them in a rhythmic review:

• Teacher: “Who was the baby in our story?” (tap-tap) Children: “Baby Moses!” (tap-tap)
• Teacher: “Where did his mommy put him?” (tap-tap) Children: “In a basket!” (tap-tap)
• Teacher: “Who watched over Moses?” (tap-tap) Children: “His sister!” (tap-tap)
• Teacher: “Who found baby Moses?” (tap-tap) Children: “The princess!” (tap-tap)
• Teacher: “Who took care of Moses?” (tap-tap) Children: “His mommy!” (tap-tap)
• Teacher: “Who had a special plan for Moses?” (tap-tap) Children: “God did!” (tap-tap-tap!)

Prayer

“Dear God, thank you for taking care of baby Moses. Thank you for taking care of us too. Help us to be brave like Moses’ mommy and sister. Amen.”

BIBLE CRAFT OR ACTIVITY: Growing Safe & Strong 7:00-7:20 p.m.

ITEMS NEEDED
Small pots
Potting soil
Wheatgrass or cat nip seeds
Decorating supplies
Water

Give each child a small pot to decorate. Help them fill it with soil. Show them how to sprinkle seeds on top. Gently water the seeds

Teach: “Just like Moses was safe in his basket among the tall reeds, these seeds will grow into tall grass. Your mommy keeps you safe and helps you grow just like Moses’ mommy!”

DISMISSAL 7:25-7:30 p.m.

Prepare for dismissal.