LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Exodus 15:22-16:36, the Israelites embarked on their journey through the desert toward the Promised Land, facing immediate challenges of thirst and hunger. After traveling for three days without water, they discovered a water source at Marah, but it was too bitter to drink. The people complained to Moses, who cried out to God for help. The Lord instructed Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water, miraculously transforming it from bitter to sweet. Shortly after, God led them to Elim, an oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees, demonstrating His continual provision and care for His people.
More than a month into their wilderness journey, the Israelites camped in the Desert of Sin and faced a new crisis when their food supplies ran out. Despite witnessing God’s mighty power at the Red Sea and His provision of sweet water, the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, even claiming life was better as slaves in Egypt. God responded to their complaints not with punishment, but with gracious provision. Each evening, flocks of quail flew into the camp for meat, and each morning, the ground was covered with manna (a bread-like substance that tasted like wafers made with honey). God established specific instructions about gathering only what was needed each day, and on the sixth day, a double portion was provided so the people could observe the Sabbath as a holy day of rest. Through these miraculous provisions, God taught His people to depend on Him daily and trust in His faithful care.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Desert Sensory Bin
Items Needed:
- Large plastic bin or container
- Kinetic sand or regular sand
- Small rocks
- Small cups for “water”
- Cotton balls (to represent manna)
- Small bird toys or cutouts (quail)
Set up a desert sensory bin where children can play out the journey of the Israelites. They can move the people figures through the sand, pretend to find water, and gather manna and quail. This hands-on activity helps them connect with the setting of today’s story while engaging their senses and imagination.
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? The Old Testament
Friends, let’s go on a JOURNEY today! Can you say “journey”? [Wait for response] Good! A journey means taking a LONG trip.
[Stand up] Everybody stand up! We’re going to march like God’s people marching through the desert. Ready? March, march, march! [March in place, kids join in] Keep marching! It’s hot! Whew! [Wipe forehead] Can you wipe your forehead like you’re hot? [Let kids respond]
[Stop marching] Okay, sit back down. Good job!
God’s people had been slaves in Egypt, but God set them FREE! But now they were walking and walking and walking through the desert. And you know what? They got SO thirsty!
They looked everywhere for water. [Put hand over eyes like searching] Do this! [Kids copy] Look over here [turn right], look over there [turn left]. Finally they found some water!
But uh oh… when they tried to drink it… [Make disgusted face] YUCKY! It tasted terrible! The water was bitter and gross! Show me your yucky face! [Wait for response] Blech!
The people started to complain. “We want to go back to Egypt!”
But Moses was smart! Do you know what Moses did? He PRAYED to God! Can you fold your hands like you’re praying? [Fold hands, kids copy]
And God answered! God told Moses to pick up a piece of wood and throw it in the water. [Pretend to pick something up and throw it] Let’s pretend! Pick up the wood… and THROW it! [Kids copy] SPLASH!
And you know what happened? [Lean in like telling a secret, speak in amazed whisper] The water became SWEET! The yucky water became GOOD water. God did a MIRACLE!
So everyone got to drink the good, sweet water. [Pretend to drink] Glug, glug, glug! You try! [Kids pretend to drink]
The people kept walking through the desert. Day after day. [Count on fingers] One day, two days, three days, four days… lots and lots of days! After a whole month, they stopped at a new place.
But now they had a different problem. Raise your hand if you like to eat! [Raise hand, kids respond] Me too! But God’s people ran out of FOOD. Their tummies were growling! [Rub tummy] Rub your tummy and say “Growwwwl!” [Make growling sound, kids join in]
The people started complaining again. “We want to go back to Egypt! At least we had food there!” They forgot that God loves them and wants to take care of them!
But God is SO good! He had a special plan. God told Moses, “I’m going to send food from the SKY!” [Point up] Point up to the sky! [Kids point up]
That night, when the sun went down [make sun going down motion with hand], something amazing happened! Birds! Lots and lots of birds called quail came flying into the camp! [Flap arms like birds] Flap your wings like birds! Flap, flap, flap! [Kids flap arms] The people could catch the birds and cook them for dinner. Yummy!
But wait, there’s MORE! The next morning when the people woke up – [rub eyes and yawn] show me how you wake up! [Kids copy] – they looked outside and the ground was covered with something white and flaky.
What is it? [Look confused] They didn’t know! So they called it “MANNA.” Can you say “manna”? [Wait for response] It looked like little white flakes. [Wiggle fingers down like snow] Make it snow! Wiggle your fingers! [Kids wiggle fingers]
God told them, “Go pick up the manna! But only pick up enough for your family to eat TODAY. Don’t be greedy!” [Shake finger]
[Pretend to scoop with hands] Let’s pretend to pick up manna! Scoop, scoop, scoop! Put it in your basket! [Kids copy scooping motion] Now we can make it into bread – like crackers! Yummy!
But some people didn’t listen to God. [Shake head no] They were greedy and they took TOO much manna. [Spread arms wide to show “too much”] And guess what happened? The next day, the extra manna was all ROTTEN! [Hold nose] It was stinky and full of worms! Ewwww! Hold your nose! [Kids hold noses] Those people learned they should have listened to God!
[Hold up six fingers] Every day – one, two, three, four, five, six days – God sent manna and quail. But on day number SIX [hold up six fingers], God told them to gather EXTRA manna. [Spread arms wider] Double! Because the next day – day number SEVEN [hold up seven fingers] – was special!
Day seven was the SABBATH! Can you say “Sabbath”? [Wait] The Sabbath is a special day to rest and think about God. No work! Just rest! [Lay head on hands like sleeping] Show me resting! [Kids copy]
On the Sabbath, there was NO manna on the ground. But that was okay! Because God gave them extra the day before! And that extra manna didn’t rot or get stinky! [Shake head] It stayed nice and yummy! God took care of everything!
For many, MANY years – [count on fingers again] – God kept sending manna and quail to His people. Every single day, God provided food for them! God ALWAYS takes care of His people!
Let’s say together: “God takes care of me!” Ready? [Put hands on heart] “GOD TAKES CARE OF ME!” [Lead kids in saying it together, repeat 2-3 times]
QUESTIONS FOR KIDS:
Theological Questions:
- Who made the yucky water become sweet and good to drink? (God did!)
- What was the special white bread called that came from the sky? (Manna!)
Life Application Questions:
- When you’re hungry or thirsty, who gives you food and water? (God does! He gives it through mommy and daddy!)
- Can you think of something God gives you every day that you can say “thank you” for? (Accept all answers – food, home, family, etc.)
PRAYER:
[Fold hands, kids copy]
“Dear God, thank You for taking care of us just like You took care of Your people in the desert. Help us remember that You give us everything we need. Amen!”
[Everyone say together] “AMEN!”
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35
PRAYER 6:35-6:45
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for families who don’t have enough food and water, and thank God for providing everything we need each day. Encourage children to share one thing they’re thankful God gives them.
Sample Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. Thank You for our food, our water, our families, and our homes. Please help people who don’t have enough food or water today. Help us to trust You and not complain. We love You! Amen.”
BIBLE STORY GAME 6:45-6:55 | Manna Gathering Relay
Memory Verse: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ESV
Items Needed:
- White pom-poms or cotton balls (manna)
- Small baskets or containers (one per child)
- Start and finish line markers
Scatter white pom-poms around the floor (representing manna on the ground). Children take turns running to gather “manna,” bringing it back to their basket while an adult says the memory verse. After gathering, practice saying the verse together. Repeat several times so each child gets multiple turns. This active game reinforces the story while building gross motor skills.
BIBLE CRAFT 6:55-7:10 | Quail Paper Bag Puppet
Items Needed:
- Quail Template Cutouts
- Paper Lunch Bags
- Glue sticks
- Crayons or markers
Description: Children create a quail bird that represents the birds God sent for food. Glue the templates onto the paper bags. Children can color or decorate their bird. On the back, write “God provides!” This hands-on craft reinforces how God sent birds to feed His people.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10-7:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat their snacks while watching the Bible story video about God providing manna and quail. This quiet time allows children to process what they’ve learned.
BONUS ACTIVITY: Water Transformation Experiment
Items Needed:
- Clear cups
- Water
- Lemon juice (to make “bitter” water)
- Sugar or honey
- Spoons
- Wooden craft sticks
Description: Give each child a cup of water. Add a few drops of lemon juice and let them taste (sour/bitter!). Then, like Moses used wood to make the water sweet, have children stir with a wooden craft stick while you add a little sugar or honey. Let them taste again. It’s sweet! Discuss how God changed the bitter water to sweet water for His people.
Safety Note: Ensure no allergies to honey (use sugar for children under 2).
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway
God Provides
What I Learned Today
Today we learned that when God’s people were hungry and thirsty in the desert, God took care of them by giving them water, special bread called manna, and birds called quail to eat. Even when the people complained, God still loved them and gave them what they needed. Just like God took care of the Israelites, He takes care of us too!
Questions to Ask Me
Theological Questions:
- Who led the Israelites through the desert? (Moses, with his brother Aaron as helper)
- What did God use to make the bitter water taste sweet? (A piece of wood that Moses put in the water)
- What were the two foods God sent from heaven for the people to eat? (Manna in the morning and quail birds in the evening)
- What happened when people tried to keep extra manna for later? (It got rotten and filled with worms)
- Why did God give extra manna on the sixth day? (So the people could rest on the Sabbath, the special day for God)
Life Application Questions:
- Can you think of something God gives you every day that you need? (Food, water, family, home, etc.)
- Have you ever been really hungry or thirsty? How did it feel when you finally got food or water? (Personal response about relief/gratitude)
- What should we do when we’re worried about not having something we need? (Pray and trust God to take care of us)
- Why is it important to follow God’s instructions, like the Israelites were supposed to? (Because God knows what’s best for us and His ways are good)
- How can we thank God for taking care of us? (Pray, say thank you, share with others, obey Him)