LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Exodus 4:20-10:29, God demonstrates His power and love for His people through ten miraculous plagues upon Egypt. Moses and Aaron repeatedly came to Pharaoh with God’s command to release the Israelites from slavery, but Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. Each time Moses warned of consequences, Pharaoh refused, and God sent increasingly severe plagues, from water turning to blood to devastating darkness. Throughout this drama, God protected His people in Goshen while demonstrating that He alone held supreme power over Egypt’s false gods.
The plagues reveal God’s character as a loving Father who fiercely protects His children. When Pharaoh cruelly oppressed the Israelites, God intervened with wonders that exposed the powerlessness of Egypt’s idols and the futility of resisting the one true God. Each plague gave Pharaoh opportunity to soften his heart and obey, yet he repeatedly hardened himself against God’s will. This account teaches children that God is powerful, loving, and worthy of obedience, while showing the consequences of stubbornness and disobedience.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Flashlight Shadow and Light Play
Items Needed:
- Several child-safe flashlights
- Black fabric to create “dark zones”
- White poster board or walls for shadow play
- Shadow Cutouts of Plague Frogs and Insects
- Wooden Skewers
- Hot Glue
Set up a darkened area in a corner and a light area side by side. Children explore the difference between darkness and light using flashlights, connecting to the ninth plague. They can shine lights on figures to create shadows, turn flashlights on and off, and experience moving between dark and light spaces. Discuss how in our story today we will learn about 10 plagues, including when Egypt was dark for three days, but God’s people had light.
BIBLE STORY 6:15-6:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Exodus
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Old Testament!
God loved His people Israel just like a dad loves his little boy or girl! Can you give yourself a big hug? That’s how much God loved His people!
But there was a problem. God’s people were stuck in Egypt being slaves.
The king of Egypt was called Pharaoh. Can you say “Pharaoh”?
Pharaoh had a hard, hard heart. Let me feel your arm muscle—is it hard or soft? [Gently touch children’s arms] Pharaoh’s heart was HARD like a rock! [Knock knuckles together] Everyone knock your fists together—that’s a hard heart!
God sent a man named Moses to talk to Pharaoh. Moses said, “Let my people GO!” Everybody stand up and say it with me: “Let my people GO!”
[Wait for children to stand and shout] Good job! Now sit back down.
Did Pharaoh listen? [Cup hand to ear] Nooooo! He said, “No way!” Can you shake your head NO? [Shake head vigorously; wait]
So God said, “Pharaoh, I’m going to show you I’m the REAL God!”
[Hold up a stick or ruler as a “staff”]
Moses’ brother Aaron had a big walking stick. He threw it down, and guess what? It turned into a snake! [Wiggle the stick on the ground like a snake] Can you wiggle like a snake? [Let children wiggle on the floor] Sssssss! [Make snake sounds together]
But Pharaoh’s heart was still hard. [Knock fists together again] So God sent PLAGUES! Can you say “plagues”? [Wait] Plagues are really yucky, terrible things!
PLAGUE 1—WATER TO BLOOD
[Hold up a cup of water] God turned ALL the water in Egypt to BLOOD! [Pour water into a clear container with red food coloring if available, or just pretend] The water looked like this! Ewwww! Can you say “Ewwww”? [Wait for response] The fish couldn’t breathe and they died. It smelled SO stinky! [Hold nose; let children copy]
But did Pharaoh let God’s people go? Everyone shake your head NO! [Wait]
PLAGUE 2—FROGS
Next, God sent FROGS! [Start hopping] Everybody hop like a frog! [Hop around together] Ribbit! Ribbit! [Encourage loud ribbits] Frogs were EVERYWHERE … in beds, in ovens, on tables! They were even in Pharaoh’s bed! Would you like frogs in YOUR bed? [Wait for responses]
Pharaoh said, “Okay, okay! Make them stop!” So Moses prayed and the frogs went away. But then, Pharaoh said NO again! [Shake head]
PLAGUE 3—GNATS
Then God sent tiny, tiny bugs called gnats. They’re tinier than your pinky fingernail! [Hold up pinky] Hold up your pinky! [Wait] Those little bugs got in people’s hair [scratch head], in their ears [touch ears], everywhere! Can you pretend to scratch the itchy bugs? [Scratch arms and head; let children join]
Did Pharaoh’s heart get soft? [Touch arm gently] Nope! Still hard! [Knock fists]
PLAGUE 4—FLIES
Next came FLIES! Bzzzzzz! [Fly hand around like a fly] Buzz your hand like a fly! [Let children buzz their hands around] Flies landing on your food, on your face—bzzzzzz! [Continue flying motions]
But guess what? Where God’s people lived in a place called Goshen, there were NO flies! God protected His people! Should we give God a cheer? Yay, God! [Clap and cheer together]
Pharaoh said okay, then changed his mind. Again! That hard heart!
PLAGUE 5—ANIMALS DIED
The Egyptian animals got sick and died. [Lay down dramatically] Can you lie down like you’re sleeping? [Let children lie down briefly] All the horses, donkeys, and cows died. So sad! But God’s people’s animals were fine! [Sit back up] Sit up—God protected them!
PLAGUE 6—BOILS
Boils are big, yucky sores, like really bad boo-boos all over! Touch your arm gently. Would you want boo-boos all over? The Egyptians had boo-boos on their feet, arms, everywhere! Ouch! Can you say “Ouch!”?
PLAGUE 7—HAIL
Then God sent a HUGE storm with ice balls falling from the sky! They’re called HAIL! [Raise arms up] Raise your hands HIGH like hail falling! [Bring arms down fast] BOOM! CRASH! [Stomp feet] Stomp your feet—that’s how loud it was! [Let children stomp] The hail broke the plants and hurt many people!
PLAGUE 8—LOCUSTS
Locusts are like big grasshoppers that eat EVERYTHING! [Pretend to munch] They ate all the food! Munch, munch, munch! [Chew exaggeratedly] Everybody pretend to eat like locusts! [Wait] They ate all the crops—no more food for anyone!
PLAGUE 9—DARKNESS
It got dark in Egypt for THREE whole days! [Cover eyes] Cover your eyes—it’s dark! [Wait] No light at all—just dark, dark, dark! But where God’s people lived, they had LIGHT! [Uncover eyes] Open your eyes—there’s light! [Wait]
Pharaoh’s heart was STILL hard!
PLAGUE 10—THE SADDEST ONE
The last plague was the saddest. The oldest child in every Egyptian family died. [Pause solemnly] This was very, very sad. But God protected His people who listened to Him! They were safe!
Finally, finally, Pharaoh said YES! God’s people could GO!
Let’s all stand up and march! [March in place] God’s people marched out of Egypt. They were FREE! Free to worship God! March, march, march! [Continue marching]
God is SO powerful! He loves His people SO much! And He wants us to have soft hearts [gently touch arm], not hard hearts [knock fists]. Let’s thank God!
Theological Questions:
- Who sent the plagues? (God did!)
- Why did God send the plagues? (Because He loved His people and wanted them to be free; Pharaoh wouldn’t listen)
Life Application Questions:
- Do you want to have a soft heart or a hard heart? (Soft heart!)
- How can we listen to God with soft hearts? (Pray, read Bible stories, obey our parents, be kind)
Prayer:
“Dear God, You are so strong and powerful! Thank You for loving Your people and setting them free. Help us have soft hearts that want to obey You every day. Amen!”
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35
PRAYER 6:35-6:45
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for soft hearts that listen to God and obey Him, just like God wanted Pharaoh to listen and obey.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:45-6:55 | 10 Plague Jump
Items Needed:
- Ten Plagues of Egypt Squares (Print on Cardstock)
Lay out numbered squares in a path. Children jump from square to square while the group counts to 10. At each number, show the corresponding plague picture and children act it out briefly. After children complete all 10 plague jumps, have them jump one final time while everyone shouts “LET MY PEOPLE GO!”
- PLAGUE 1: WATER TO BLOOD
Action for Children: “Swirl and Pour!”
Children pretend to scoop up water with their hands and watch it turn red. They make swirling motions with their arms, then pour the “blood water” out. Say together: “God turned the water to BLOOD!”
PLAGUE 2: FROGS
Action for Children: “Frog Hop!”
Children hop up and down on both feet like frogs, saying “RIBBIT! RIBBIT!” as loudly as they can. Encourage big jumps and enthusiastic croaking sounds. Optional: squat down low, then jump up high.
PLAGUE 3: GNATS
Action for Children: “Itchy, Scratchy!”
Children scratch their heads, arms, and legs all over as if tiny bugs are crawling on them. Make exaggerated scratching motions and say “So itchy! Scratch, scratch, scratch!” Scrunch up faces to show discomfort.
PLAGUE 4: FLIES
Action for Children: “Buzzing Flies!”
Children buzz around the space making “BZZZZZ” sounds while flapping their arms like wings. They “fly” in circles, land on their heads, buzz around again. Encourage loud buzzing and lots of movement within their spot.
PLAGUE 5: DEATH OF LIVESTOCK
Action for Children: “Animals Sleeping”
Children lie down gently on the floor like sleeping animals, close their eyes, and stay very still and quiet for 3-5 seconds. Then sit back up. Explain: “The Egyptian animals died, but God’s people’s animals stayed healthy and strong!” (Have children flex muscles after sitting up)
PLAGUE 6: BOILS
Action for Children: “Ouch! Boo-boos!”
Children gently touch their arms, legs, and cheeks saying “Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!” in sad voices.
PLAGUE 7: HAIL
Action for Children: “Crash and Boom!”
Children raise their arms high above their heads, then bring them down fast while stomping their feet loudly. They say “CRASH! BOOM! BANG!” Make thunder sounds by clapping and stomping. Repeat 3 times to show the hailstorm’s power.
PLAGUE 8: LOCUSTS
Action for Children: “Munch, Munch, Munch!”
Children pretend to be hungry locusts, making big chomping motions with their mouths. They “fly” their arms a little, then chomp, chomp, chomp. Say “MUNCH! MUNCH! MUNCH!” while pretending to eat everything in sight. Rub tummies to show locusts ate all the food.
PLAGUE 9: DARKNESS
Action for Children: “Cover Your Eyes!”
Children cover their eyes with both hands to experience darkness, counting “1, 2, 3!” Then uncover eyes and say “LIGHT!” Repeat this 3 times. Talk about how God’s people had light but Egypt was dark for THREE whole days.
PLAGUE 10: DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
Action for Children: “God Protected His People”
Children wrap their arms around themselves in a big self-hug, showing God’s protection. Say together: “God kept His people SAFE!” Keep this brief and focused on God’s protection rather than death.
Emphasize: “God’s people were safe because they obeyed God!”
BIBLE CRAFT 6:55-7:10 | Soft Heart Collage
Items Needed:
- Paper heart templates
- Cotton balls (or Pink PomPoms)
- Glue
Description: Children glue cotton balls onto heart shapes to make “soft hearts.” While crafting, discuss how God wants our hearts to be soft so we listen to Him.
Optional: Children can add Googly Eyes to their heart to remind them that God is always watching us.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10-7:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat while watching the Bible story video.
BONUS ACTIVITY
Activity 1: Frog Jump Race
Create a simple relay where children hop like frogs from one side of the room to the other. Use green lily pad markers as checkpoints. Leaders participate by hopping alongside children, making it a fun group activity that reinforces the frog plague.
Activity 2: Darkness Discovery Box
Cut holes in a cardboard box and place safe objects inside (cotton balls, toy animals, blocks). Children reach in without seeing (representing darkness) and guess what they’re touching. Discuss how scary darkness was and how God’s people had light.
Activity 3: Hail Ball Toss
Use soft foam balls or crumpled paper balls as “hail.” Leaders and children stand in two lines and gently toss “hail” back and forth. Play gentle music and when it stops, everyone freezes. This teaches the concept of the hail plague in a safe, fun way.
Activity 4: Plague Parade
Create a parade around the room where each child picks a plague to act out. Leaders join in, and everyone marches together while acting out their chosen plague (hopping, buzzing, scratching). End with everyone shouting “Let my people GO!”
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV)
Exodus 4:20-23 “So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, ‘Let my son go that he may serve me.’ If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.”‘”
Exodus 5:1-2 “Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.”‘ But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.'”
Exodus 7:14-10:29 (Summarized for space – contains all ten plagues) God sent ten plagues upon Egypt: water turned to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn. After each plague, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go until the final plague.
Psalm 40:8 (ESV) “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Obey God
What I Learned Today:
- God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His people go from Egypt.
- Pharaoh had a hard heart and said no, so God sent ten plagues to show His power.
- God wants us to have soft hearts that obey Him, not hard hearts like Pharaoh.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who is more powerful—God or Pharaoh? (God is!)
- Why did God send the plagues? (To show His power and free His people because He loved them)
- What does it mean to have a hard heart? (Not listening to God; being stubborn)
- What does it mean to have a soft heart? (Wanting to obey God; listening to Him)
- How many plagues did God send? (Ten plagues)
Life Application Questions:
- Do you want a soft heart or a hard heart? (Soft heart)
- How can you show God you have a soft heart? (By obeying, praying, being kind, listening to Bible stories)
- When is it hard for you to obey? (Various answers—when told to clean up, share, go to bed, etc.)
- Who helps you have a soft heart? (God, parents, Jesus)
- What can you do when you feel like saying “no” to God or your parents? (Pray, ask for help, remember God loves you, choose to obey)