LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Exodus 5:22-23 and 12:31-42, we find the dramatic conclusion to God’s deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage. Moses had been faithfully following God’s instructions, speaking to Pharaoh time and again, yet Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. Moses cried out to God in frustration, questioning why the Lord had brought trouble upon the Israelite people when their situation seemed to worsen under Pharaoh’s cruelty. God reassured Moses to continue trusting Him and to keep following His commands.
Finally, after the tenth and most devastating plague, Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron in the middle of the night and commanded them to leave Egypt immediately with all the Israelites, their flocks, and their herds. The Egyptians urgently pressed the Israelites to depart, even giving them silver, gold, and clothing. After 430 years of living in Egypt, God’s people were finally set free. They left in haste, taking unleavened bread dough wrapped in cloth because there was no time to let it rise. God had kept His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, demonstrating that He is faithful and can always be trusted to do what He says He will do.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15-10:30 | Waiting Jar
Items Needed:
- Clear jar with lid
- Water
- Glitter
- Blue food coloring (optional)
Fill a jar with water and add glitter. Have children shake the jar vigorously, then set it down and watch the glitter slowly settle. Explain that sometimes we have to wait for God to work, like the Israelites waited a long, long time in Egypt. Ask children to sit quietly and watch the glitter settle. Discuss how hard it is to wait.
MEMORY VERSE GAME 10:30-10:40 | Word Hide and Seek
Memory Verse: “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.” (Psalm 111:7 ESV)
Items Needed:
Before class, hide paper signs around the room with pictures representing each word of the verse. Have children search for the signs and bring them back. Work together to put them in order and say the verse together with motions.
| Phrase | Motion |
|---|---|
| “The works” | Pretend to hammer or build something with your hands |
| “of his hands” | Hold both hands up, palms facing out, and wiggle fingers |
| “are faithful” | Cross arms over chest in a hug (like holding something close) |
| “and just” | Make a “thumbs up” sign with both hands |
| “all his precepts” | Hold hands out wide like opening a big book |
| “are trustworthy” | Nod head “yes” while pointing up to God |
SONG 10:40-10:50
BIBLE STORY 10:50-11:00 a.m.
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (Exodus)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament)
God told Moses to go talk to a mean king called Pharaoh. Pharaoh was making God’s people, called the Israelites, work SO hard! [Pretend to wipe sweat from your forehead] Show me your tired, working face!
Moses said, “Pharaoh, let God’s people GO!” Can you say that with me? “Let God’s people GO!”
But Pharaoh said… [Shake your head and cross your arms] “NO!”
Moses prayed to God. He said, “God, why is this so HARD?” [Fold your hands in prayer] Let’s fold our hands like we’re praying.
And do you know what? God told Moses to KEEP TRUSTING Him! Can you say “Trust God”? [Wait for response: “Trust God!”]
Then one dark, dark night… [Cup your hands around your eyes like binoculars] It was nighttime! Can you pretend it’s dark outside?
Moses went to see Pharaoh. What do you think Pharaoh said?
Pharaoh said, “GO! Take all your people and GO! Leave Egypt NOW!” [Wave your hands like you’re shooing someone away] Can you wave your hands and say “GO”?
WOW! God did it! He changed Pharaoh’s mind! Let’s all say “YAY, GOD!” [Throw your hands up]
The Israelites were SO excited!
But they had to pack SUPER fast!
They grabbed their clothes… [Grab motion] They grabbed their animals… [Make animal sounds – “Baa! Moo!”]
And then… they WALKED out of Egypt! [March in place] Let’s march, march, march together!
Do you know how long the Israelites had been in Egypt? FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS! That’s a REALLY long time! Can you count to ten with me? [Count together] Imagine counting WAAAY more than that!
But God NEVER forgot His promise! [Shake your finger “no”] God ALWAYS keeps His promises!
Let’s all say it together: “God keeps His promises!” [Wait for children to repeat]
And all God’s people said… [Cup your hand to your ear] “AMEN!”Theological Questions:
- Who helped Moses and the Israelites? (God)
- Did God keep His promise to set His people free? (Yes!)
Life Application Questions:
- When is a time you had to wait for something? (Birthdays, Christmas, trips, etc.)
- Who can you trust to always keep their promises? (God, and we can try to be like God by keeping our promises too!)
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises to us. Help us to trust You and wait for You, even when waiting is hard. Amen!”
BIBLE CRAFT 11:00-11:15 a.m. | Traffic Light Waiting Reminder
Items Needed:
- Black construction paper (cut into rectangle length like a stop light)
- Red, yellow, and green paper circles (pre-cut)
- Glue sticks
- Optional: craft sticks
Give each child a black rectangle and three circles (red, yellow, green). Help them glue the circles on the black paper in traffic light order. Optional: Tape a craft stick to the back to make it a sign they can hold up.
Explain that just like a traffic light tells cars when to stop, wait, and go, God helps us know when to stop and pray, when to wait for Him, and when to go do what He says!
Talking Point: “When you see a traffic light this week, remember: Stop and pray, wait for God, and go when God says it’s time!”
BIBLE MOVIE AND SNACK
If time allows, offer a snack and play a Bible story video.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (KJV)
Exodus 5:22-23 “And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.”
Exodus 12:31-42 “And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: God Keeps Promises
What I Learned Today: Today we learned that Moses trusted God and kept asking Pharaoh to let God’s people go. After a long time of waiting, Pharaoh finally said YES, and the Israelites left Egypt in a hurry! God kept His promise to set His people free, and He always keeps His promises to us too.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who told Moses to go talk to Pharaoh? (God)
- Did God forget about the Israelites when they had to wait? (No, God never forgets us)
- Who keeps ALL His promises? (God)
- How long did the Israelites live in Egypt? (430 years)
- What book of the Bible tells us about Moses and the Israelites leaving Egypt? (Exodus)
Life Application Questions:
- What is something you have had to wait for? (Answers will vary: birthday, Christmas, a trip, etc.)
- How do you feel when you have to wait for something? (Answers will vary: excited, impatient, etc.)
- Who can you trust to always keep their promises? (God)
- Can you think of a promise someone made to you that they kept? (Answers will vary)
- How can we be like God and keep our promises to others? (By doing what we say we will do, being honest, following through)
Memory Verse: “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.” (Psalm 111:7 ESV)