lesson #2-4 moses and the burning · 9/29/2019 · activity sheet #2-4.a perform a skit about...

1 © 2014-2019 Spirit and Truth Publishing—All Rights Reserved

Key Verse:

“The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them.” Exodus 3:9-10

The Point:

God listens to our prayers.

Making Connections:

Responding to God’s love

Bible Nuts & Bolts:

The Exodus Story

Spiritual Practice:

Service

Lesson #2-4

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Moses and the Burning Bush Exodus 1:8-14 [15–2:10]; 3:1-15

3rd-6th

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© 2014-2019 Spirit and Truth Publishing—All Rights Reserved

Lesson #2-4 (3rd-6th) September 29, 2019

Define six essential story elements.

None

Discover verses related to Exodus.

Bibles Activity Sheet #2-4.A

Perform a skit about Moses and the burning bush.

Bibles Activity Sheet #2-4.B Staff Plant or sticks in a bucket Strips of red, orange, and yellow tissues

paper Stuffed animals or pictures of sheep Optional: costumes

Be ready for God to call your name.

None

Play a game with shoes.

None

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Make a name craft.

Cardstock Markers

Make a lighted craft.

Clear plastic cups Red, orange, and yellow tissue paper Glue Water Scissors Battery-operated tea lights Paper cups Paint brushes

Optional ongoing activity.

Bible Book page (found at end of lesson) Cardstock or plain paper Pens Markers or crayons Optional: three-ring binders, hole punch

None



Making Connections The great characters of the Bible respond to God’s love and promises. Today students discover what transpired between Moses and God at the burning bush. Next week continues the Moses narrative as he receives the commandments on Mount Sinai. Moses follows God’s commands even when doubt creeps in.

Story Summary: Moses and the Burning Bush When Moses first sees the flames of the burning bush, he is surprised, for while the bush seems to be on fire, it is not burning up. Surprise turns to awe as Moses hears the voice of God. God tells Moses that he is standing on holy ground, and Moses takes off his sandals. Afraid to look at God, Moses hides his face, yet listens closely to God’s words. God has seen the suffering of the people in Egypt. God knows, God cares, and God has decided to send Moses to help. Moses feels unworthy and at first tries to refuse, but eventually Moses agrees to follow God’s command, to return to Egypt, and to lead the people to the Promised Land.

The Point God listens to our prayers. God has seen and heard everything happening in Egypt, and God is deeply troubled. The Hebrews have been enslaved by the Egyptians, and things have gone from bad to worse in the time since Moses left. God calls out to Moses from the flames of a burning bush, and Moses is chosen by God to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and to the land God promised Abraham and all of his descendants. Moses doubts his abilities, but God reminds Moses that he will never be alone, and God promises to be with Moses every step of the way. God hears our prayers, our fears, and our frustrations as well, and is with us as we deal with the difficult challenges that we face.

Bible Nuts & Bolts: The Exodus Story The Exodus story is the story of the escape of God’s people from slavery in Egypt. Not only is it one of the most central stories in the Bible, it is also the story of the Hebrews calling out to God for deliverance when they were enslaved by the Egyptians, the story of God sending Moses to ask Pharaoh to let his people go, the story of Pharaoh’s repeated refusals, and the story of God’s judgment in the form of ten plagues. It is the story that defines Passover, a central celebration and important image of Jesus’ later works of deliverance.

Spiritual Practice: Service God hears the prayers of God’s people, and works through all of us to free the slaves, help the suffering, and work for justice in the world. Our acts of service on behalf of others are ways in which we serve as the hands and feet of God in our neighborhoods.


Lesson #2-4 (3rd-6th) ⚫ September 29, 2019

Define six essential story elements. You will need: Nothing

During class:

1. Every good reporter knows that to cover the news properly, they need to explore six essential questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. Let’s cover the story of Moses and the burning bush just like news reporters!

2. Hold up one finger. Question number one is Who. Who is this story about? [Moses.]

3. Hold up two fingers. Question number two is What. When Moses is outside, taking care of his sheep, he sees a surprising sight. What does he see? [A burning bush.]

4. Hold up three fingers. Question number three is Where. When Moses sees the burning bush, he hears the voice of God. Where does the voice seem to be coming from? [Somewhere near the bush.]

5. Hold up four fingers. Question number four is When. During the story, Moses takes off his sandals and looks away from the bush. When does he do these things? [When God tells him to.]

6. Hold up five fingers. Question number five is Why. God tells Moses to take off his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. Why is the ground holy? [Because God is there, because God’s presence sets it apart and makes it special.]

7. Hold up six fingers. Question number six is How. Moses is worshipping when he talks to God at the burning bush. How is Moses worshipping? [By listening and paying attention to God, by showing respect to God.]



8. We have established the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of the story. Now’s let’s dig a little deeper. If we were writing this story for a local newspaper, we might want to explain a little bit more about the word “worship.”

9. First, let’s think about what it means. How would you define worship? [How we show our love to God, a way to say thank you for all God has done for us.]

10. Moses worships by talking to God. How do you worship? [I pray, I sing, I read my Bible, I go to church.]

11. Moses is on a mountain, near a burning bush, when he worships in this story. Where do you go to worship? [Home, church, school.]

12. Moses meets God during the day. When is it the right time to worship? [Anytime!] 13. Now that we have reported on all of the main elements of the story, let’s wrap it

up with some final thoughts and possible points to ponder. Our conclusion might be something like this: God is always listening. God is always near. God always hears our prayers. God is always here.



Discover verses related to Exodus. You will need: Bibles Activity Sheet #2-4.A

Before class:

1. Print one copy of Activity Sheet #2-4.A 2. Cut into strips, one Bible verse per strip 3. Hide the Bible verse strips around the classroom.

During class:

1. The story of Exodus is central to the rest of the Bible. It is so important, in fact, that there are many references to it throughout the rest of the Bible.

2. Around the room today, there are verses hidden that contain references to the story of Exodus. Your mission is to search and find all of the hidden verses, but keep in mind that you are not alone. Be sure to help each other and work together as a classroom team to find all of the hidden verses.

3. Once all of the hidden verses are found, bring the students back together and divide the class into pairs or small groups to begin the second phase of the mission.

4. Now that we have found the verses, let’s find out what they say! 5. Direct the students to work together and find the verses in their Bibles. Have all

students write down or bookmark their selections in preparation to read out loud to the class.

6. Once all the verses have been found in the Bibles, go around the room and allow each pair or small group to read their verse out loud to the class. Remind the students to include the book title, chapter, and verse when reading out loud.

7. It is amazing how many times the story of Exodus is mentioned in the Bible! And these are just a few! Your challenge this week, if you choose to accept it, is to read your Bible carefully, and see how many more references to the story of Exodus you can find.



Perform a skit about Moses and the burning bush. You will need: Bibles Activity Sheet #2-4.B Staff Plant or sticks in a bucket Strips of red, orange, and yellow tissues paper Stuffed animals or pictures of sheep Optional: costumes

Before class:

1. Make a burning bush by hanging strips of tissue paper on the plant or sticks. During class:

1. You have probably heard the story about Moses and the burning bush. You might have read it in the Bible, or seen it in a movie. Today we are going to act it out ourselves right here in the classroom.

2. Assign roles for individual parts. Split the rest of the class in half and assign one half of the group the role of the Hebrews, and the other half of the group the role of the Egyptians.

3. Pass out copies of Activity Sheet #2-4.B and highlighters for students to mark their assigned roles in order to make the performance run smoothly.

4. Perform the skit as a class, using Activity Sheet #2-4.B. 5. After the skit, gather the class together for a short discussion. 6. What do you think was the hardest role to play in the skit? [Accept all answers.] 7. Even though Moses thinks he is not good enough or strong enough or brave

enough to do what God is asking, in the end he agrees to follow God’s commands. Do you ever have doubts about God’s plan for you? [Accept all answers.]

8. Even when we know we are doing the right thing, sometimes we have doubts, just like Moses did. But if we remember that God is with us, then we know that anything is possible! God is always on our side when we are doing something good and right. Just like Moses, God wants what is best for us. And just like Moses, we are stronger because we know that God is with us.



Be ready for God to call your name. You will need: Nothing

During class:

1. When God calls Moses, Moses gets nervous. He does not feel that he is smart enough or holy enough or strong enough to be a leader for God’s people. But God simply says, “I will be with you.” God does not say, “Moses, you are great and brilliant and a natural leader!” God says simply, “I will be with you.”

2. God makes the same promise to us, but sometimes we still do not feel like we are old enough or smart enough or good enough for God to use us. But we all are!

3. We are going to take some time to think of one thing that we are good at that we can use to help other people. When you have your one thing, we will go around and share the thing that we are good at, and the rest of the group will come up with ways that you can use that thing to help other people. Maybe you are naturally happy, and can help people who are sad. Or maybe you are a good worker, and can help clean up around the house or at church. Or maybe you really like animals, and can help your neighbor walk her dog. There are lots of ways that we can use our gifts when God calls us to help others!

4. If students have a hard time coming up with something they are good at, be ready with prompts of gifts that you see in them. Make sure everyone is affirmed in their abilities to serve God’s people.

5. Close with prayer: God, thank you for giving me gifts that I can use to help other people. I know that you will be with me, even when I am nervous or scared. Thank you for calling my name. Amen.



Play a game with shoes. You will need: Nothing

Before class:

1. Decide how to divide the class into two teams. During class:

1. Today we have heard a story about Moses taking off his shoes when he was on holy ground. We are going to play a fun game in which we have to take off our shoes, too. I want all of you to take off your shoes and put them in a pile in the middle of the room.

2. Now, I need you to form two teams and line up relay-style, one person behind the next. As teams are lining up, mix up the shoes in the pile. When I say “Go,” the first person will run to the shoe pile, find their shoes, and put them on before running back to tag the next person in line.

3. The first team to have all of its members back in line with their shoes on wins.



Make a name craft. You will need: Cardstock Markers

Before class:

1. You may choose to print outlines of each student’s name on cardstock prior to class. During class:

1. At the end of our Bible story today, God tells Moses “I am who I am.” This is how God describes God’s majesty and awesome nature to Moses.

2. If someone were to ask you about what makes you awesome, what would you tell them? Hand out the cardstock with preprinted name outlines, or have students write their name in large, outlined letters.

3. Using the letters of your name, draw inside each letter something that symbolizes one thing about yourself that makes you unique.

4. Invite students to share and tell about themselves when they are finished. 5. If you have an older class, you can challenge them by having them draw something that

starts with the letter that they are filling in. For instance, if their name is Bob, they might fill in the letters with images of baseball (B), origami (O), and baking (B).



Make a lighted craft. You will need: Clear plastic cups Red, orange, and yellow tissue paper Glue Water Scissors Battery-operated tea lights Paper cups Paint brushes

Before class:

1. Mix glue and water 1:1 in the paper cups. During class:

1. Today we heard the story about Moses being called by God from the burning bush. To help us remember this story, we are going to make a burning bush that we can keep at home. When you see it, you can remember that God is calling us to lead God’s people, too.

2. Give each student a clear plastic cup, tissue paper, scissors, the glue mixture, and a paintbrush. Take the red, orange, and yellow tissue paper and cut or tear it into small squares or strips. You will glue this tissue all over the outside of the cup, overlapping the colors to create a fire look.

3. Give students time to work. When they are finished, give each student a battery-operated tea light to place in their cups.

4. If possible, lower the classroom lights and turn on the tea lights. When you see your own burning bush glowing at home, remember that God is calling all of us to help lead and care for God’s people.



Optional ongoing activity. You will need:

Bible Book page (found at end of lesson) Cardstock or plain paper Pens Markers or crayons Optional: three-ring binders, hole punch

Before class:

1. Make copies of this week’s Bible Book page on cardstock or copy paper for each student.

During class:

1. Hand out Bible Book pages. 2. What are some of the important things we have learned from today’s story?

[Answers will vary.] 3. On the bottom of your page, please write one or two important things that you

have learned from the story today. In the middle of the page, draw a picture from the story or illustrate one of the important things you’ve learned. Don’t forget to put your name on the back of the page, please!

4. Optional: Collect and three-hole punch the pages, and put them in individual binders for each student to be kept at church until the end of the year. If you wish, you can investigate other options for binding the Bible books through a local print shop at the end of the year instead of using a three-ring binder.



Before ending class, make a point to come together to pray. Use the following or say your own prayer. Allow any students who would like to include a personal prayer to do so at the appropriate time. Dear God, Thank you for leading us out of trouble. Thank you for protecting and caring for us. Thank you for your never-ending guidance and support. Sometimes we might wonder if you are listening, if you can hear us when we pray, but in our hearts we know the truth—you are always near. Thank you for listening to everything we sing and say. Thank you for answering all of our verbal and silent prayers. Thank you for loving us now and forever. In your name we pray. Amen.

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Lesson #2-4 (3rd-6th) ⚫ September 29, 2019 Activity Sheet #2-4.A

Discover verses related to Exodus.

1. Acts 7:6

2. Jeremiah 29:11

3. Genesis 21:22

4. Psalms 78:41-51

5. Romans 9:16

6. Numbers 33:1

7. 1 John 3:22

8. 1 Corinthians 10:5

9. Deuteronomy 10:1-5

10. Hebrews 5:1, 4

11. Deuteronomy 9:16

12. Joshua 22:19

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Lesson #2-4 (3rd-6th) ⚫ September 29, 2019 Activity Sheet #2-4.B


Characters: Narrator Moses God Egyptians Hebrews

Costumes: Robes

Props: • Staff • A houseplant or sticks in a bucket covered with strips of red and orange and yellow tissues

paper to represent a burning bush • Stuffed animals or pictures to represent sheep

NARRATOR: Moses should have known it was coming.

MOSES: (Whistling and swinging his staff, ushering a flock of sheep in front of him.)

NARRATOR: He had been marked for service to God ever since the day he was born,

rescued from certain death by being floated away in a basket and discovered by

Pharaoh's daughter.

MOSES: (Rocking back and forth as if floating down a river)

NARRATOR: As he grew older, Moses became more aware of the differences between him

and the Egyptians around him, especially as he witnessed the ways in which the

Egyptians mistreated the Hebrews living in Egypt.

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EGYPTIANS: (Threatening, pretending to be shouting, shaking fists and frowning.)

HEBREWS: (Cowering, ducking, trying to get away.)

MOSES: (Looking back and forth between the Egyptians and Hebrews, shaking his head and looking sad.)

NARRATOR: One day Moses broke up a fight between an Egyptian slave driver and a

Hebrew slave. Moses was trying to protect the Hebrew, but he ended up killing the

Egyptian. Forced to run away in order to avoid the wrath of Pharaoh, Moses ended up

in a new place called Midian.

MOSES: (Runs across the room.)

NARRATOR: In Midian, Moses began a new life. He got a new job, a new family, and a new

wife. Moses became a shepherd and was put in charge of his father-in-law’s flock of

sheep.

MOSES: I love sheep! (Gathers his stuffed animal sheep together and lines them up behind or in front of

him.) C’mon guys, time to go graze!

NARRATOR: One day, Moses led his flock to Horeb, the mountain of God, where--much to

his surprise-- he saw a bush on fire!

MOSES: (Turns around to see the burning bush prop and gasps in surprise!)

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NARRATOR: Moses hurried over to the bush, but when he realized the flames were not

growing larger, he was confused. How could the bush be on fire and yet not burn up?

MOSES: Whoa—that’s weird! (Scratches his head.)

NARRATOR: Moses was about to move in closer to inspect the bush more carefully, when a

voice stopped him in his tracks.

GOD: Moses, Moses!

NARRATOR: It was the voice of God!

MOSES: (Standing still.) Here I am!

NARRATOR: God spoke again.

GOD: Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.

NARRATOR: And that is exactly what Moses did.

MOSES: (Takes off his shoes.)

GOD: I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of

Jacob.

MOSES: You are my one true God.

NARRATOR: God then went on to tell Moses of the bad situation back in Egypt.

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GOD: I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them cry out in pain. I

know their sufferings and have come to deliver them from the brutal Egyptians.

MOSES: Oh no, it sounds as if things have gotten worse since I’ve been gone.

GOD: The people are crying out to me.

ISRAELITES: Help us, Lord. Deliver us!

GOD: I have promised to bring my people to a new land, a good land flowing with milk and

honey.

MOSES: What a wonderful promise.

GOD: Moses, you will fulfill this promise. You will lead my people to this promised land of

milk and honey.

MOSES: Of course, Lord. You can do anything. You … Wait, did you say me?

GOD: Yes, you. It is time, Moses. Time for you to return to Egypt. Time for you to see

Pharaoh again and convince him to set my people free.

MOSES: I am not worthy to do this great deed.

GOD: You are my choice.

MOSES: I am afraid.

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GOD: I will be with you.

MOSES: (Bowing his head) I will do as you say.

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Lesson #2-4 (3rd-6th) ⚫ September 29, 2019 Bible Book

Exodus 1:8-14; 3:1-15

3rd-6th

Living the Word: Teaching Kids God’s Story

Narrative Lectionary, Year 2 (2019-2020) Lesson #2-4

Exodus 1:8-14; 3:1-15


When Moses saw the flames of the burning bush, he was surprised because it is not burning up. Surprise turned to awe as Moses heard the voice of God. God told Moses that he is standing on holy ground, and Moses took off his sandals. Afraid to look at God, Moses hid his face, yet listened closely to God’s words. God has seen the suffering of the people in Egypt. God knows, God cares, and God decided to send Moses to help. Moses feels unworthy and at first tries to refuse, but eventually Moses agreed to follow God’s command.

God listens to our prayers.

God hears the prayers of God’s people, and works through all of us to free the slaves, help the afflicted, and work for justice in the world. Our acts of service on behalf of others are ways in which we serve as the hands and feet of God in our neighborhoods. Think of one way that you can work as a family to bring “freedom” to someone.

The Exodus Story “The Exodus story is the story of the rescue of God’s people from slavery in Egypt. Not only is it one of the most central stories in the Bible, it is also the story of the Hebrews calling out to God for deliverance when they were enslaved by the Egyptians, the story of God sending Moses to ask Pharaoh to let his people go, the story of Pharaoh’s repeated refusals, and the story of God’s judgment in the form of ten plagues. It is the story that defines Passover, a central celebration and important image of Jesus’ later works of deliverance.

Last week, the story followed Isaac’s grandson, Jacob, as he wrestled and gained God’s blessing. This story shows the unfolding of God’s promise to Abraham that through his descendants a new nation will be born. (Genesis 32: [9–13] 22-30).

Today the story picks up 400 years later as the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the Israelites—are enslaved in Egypt. God comes to Moses in the form of a burning bush and sends Moses to deliver God’s people from slavery. (Exodus 1:8-14 [15–2:10]; 3:1-15).

God told Moses that the Israelites would be freed in order to live in a “good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Next week the Israelites are given a new way of life for their new land. (Deuteronomy 5:1-21; 6:4-9)


Lesson #2-4 Exodus 1:8-14;

3:1-15

@ HOME

Family Discussions

Sunday—Read Exodus 3:1-15 Moses and the burning bush. Go outside and talk to a bush (or a houseplant, if it is cold or raining.) Does it talk back? What would you have thought if you were Moses?

Monday—Read Exodus 5:1-9 Let my people go. If you do not know it, search online for the song “Pharaoh, Pharaoh.” Sing it together.

Tuesday—Read Exodus 7:1-13 Signs and wonders in Egypt. Look around you. What signs do you see of God’s power?

Wednesday—Read Exodus 12:29-32 Pharaoh finally relents. Tell a story of a time you changed your mind. What finally caused you to change it?

Thursday—Read Exodus 14:5-14 Pharaoh’s pursuit. Stage a chase in your house. Have one person be Pharaoh in a chariot, and the other be the Israelites.

Friday—Read Exodus 14:19-31 Salvation at the sea. Read this story over a sink or tub full of water. Try to part the water.

Saturday—Read Deuteronomy 5:1-21 The Ten Commandments. Draw a picture of one of the commandments. Explain your picture.

Use the questions below or other questions you think of to discuss today’s Scripture reading (listed above) with your family.

In what way does this text teach about the theme, Responding to God’s Love?

What does this scripture have to do with our lives today?

What part of this scripture is the most interesting to you? Why?

As you hear and study these stories each week, consider what God has to say to you and your family. What is God’s message to us? How should we respond?

Family Devotions

lesson #2-4 moses and the burning · 9/29/2019 · activity sheet #2-4.a perform a skit about...

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