Happy weekend! Not that it feels any different for most of us. I tend to work a little each day right now as well as sleep later. Still, the weekend means getting to switch gears from homeschooling kids to Bible lessons and church videos, which gives me something to look forward to in quarantine life. Speaking of church, many churches offer online worship services during this time. If your church hasn’t done this, I invite you to join in worship with Chapel Hill Baptist Church here.
When praying and thinking about which Bible story I wanted to relate to for this lesson, Moses kept coming to mind. I know we’ve talked about the Passover and the Israelites escaping Egypt. But today, I want to back up a bit to when God called Moses to lead the Israelites. Moses spent many years in a place called Midian, minding his own business. However, God had a great plan to use him and met Moses right where he was to bring him into his ultimate calling.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Explain:
It’s been so long since we’ve visited the park, restaurants or even a friend’s house. That makes it easy to forget about everything going on around us. It’s not our choice to stay at home all the time, but it does change the way we think. It’s easy to forget about other people in other parts of the world, or even close by, when we’re here in our cozy homes with our own families. However, the world is still going on around us, and many people need Jesus.
Today we will learn about when God called Moses to help the Israelites escape Egypt. After Moses grew up, he left Egypt for a long time. He went to a place called Midian and had a happy life with his own family. It was like he forgot all about the Israelites being in trouble. Then, God came to him in a burning bush to remind Moses that the Israelites were still in trouble. God wanted to use Moses to help.
Read or Watch:
Start by reading the story of Moses and the burning bush in a child’s Bible storybook or watch it here.
Discuss:
- How do you think it made Moses feel to learn that the Israelites were still in trouble after all this time?
- God may not use a burning bush to get our attention, but He still speaks to us. We have eyes and ears to see and hear the problems other people face. We just need to be open to sensing the needs of others. How do you know when a friend or family member needs cheering up?
- Think of someone who you know needs cheering up right now. Draw a picture for that person and send it to him or her. If you have access to a lake or river near your home, consider drawing another happy picture and putting it in a bottle. Then, drop it in the water for someone to find.
Pray:
Dear God, help me to see and hear when other people need help. I may be young, but I know You can still use me to brighten someone’s day. Thank You for using me to help others. Amen.
Elementary Kids
Explain:
Even though we have Zoom and FaceTime to talk to friends and grandparents, it’s not the same as seeing everyone in person. It’s also been so long since we’ve gone anywhere other than our own yard. This disconnection from the outside world makes it easy to forget about everything going on around us. It’s not our choice to stay at home all the time, but it does change the way we think. It’s easy to forget about other people in other parts of the world, or even close by, when we’re here in our cozy homes with our own families. However, the world is still going on around us, and many people need Jesus.
Today we will learn about when God called Moses to help the Israelites escape Egypt. After Moses grew up, he left Egypt for a long time. He went to a place called Midian and had a happy life with his own family. It was like he forgot all about the Israelites being in trouble. Then, God came to him in a burning bush to remind Moses that the Israelites were still in trouble. God wanted to use Moses to help.
Read or Watch:
Have your child read the story of Moses and the burning bush in a child’s Bible storybook or watch it here.
Discuss:
- How do you think it made Moses feel to learn that the Israelites were still in trouble after all this time?
- God may not use a burning bush to get our attention, but He still speaks to us. We have eyes and ears to see and hear the problems other people face. We just need to be open to sensing the needs of others. How do you know when a friend or family member needs cheering up?
- Think of someone who you know needs cheering up right now. Draw a picture and/or write a letter for that person and send it to him or her. If you have access to a lake or river near your home, consider writing another encouraging letter and putting it in a bottle. Then, drop it in the water for someone to find.
Pray:
Dear God, help me to see and hear when other people need help. I may be young, but I know You can still use me to brighten someone’s day. Thank You for using me to help others. Amen.
Teenagers
Explain:
A few weeks ago, we talked about the first Passover and how Moses and the Israelites escaped Egypt. Well, Moses escaped Egypt on his own long before then and had no intentions of ever going back. It took God showing up in a burning bush to get his attention. After killing an Egyptian, Moses ended up in a land called Midian. He had a wife and family, and although life was simple, it was nice. He had no need to go back to Egypt.
Even though staying at home with your siblings and parents seems like total boredom at times, it can be nice. You’ve probably liked living in a drama-free zone with no teachers or fellow students to add stress to your life. It’s nice getting to sleep in and not have to worry what you look like each day. But while it seems like quarantine will never end, it will. And when it does, we will have to deal with the real world again.
Are you ready for that?
Read:
Have your child read Exodus 2:11–Exodus 3 in his or her Bible or online here.
Discuss:
- Moses had a nice life in Midian. He was content to herd sheep and live with his family. However, God had bigger plans for him. How would you feel if God called you to get out of your comfort zone of everyday life and help someone else?
- Right now, a lot of people in our community as well as around the world have real problems. People are facing financial losses, bad health and other issues. It can be easy to forget about that when we’re stuck in our own little bubbles. Make a list of different places and people as well as any difficulties they might be facing right now. Commit to praying for one of those things on your list each day this week.
- Journal about how you feel during this time. Include thoughts about what’s going on outside your circle of influence. Ask God if He can use you to help. Even if you can’t physically help people in need, you can send up prayers on their behalf. If your community has a place to donate food or other supplies for those in need, do so this week.
Pray:
Dear God, open my heart and eyes to those in need. Help me see that everything isn’t all about me and how I’m feeling during this time. Show me how I might be a blessing to others and prepare me to be a light for You when it comes time to go back to normal life. Amen.
*If you want more Bible studies, check it out the Noah lesson here, the Joseph lesson here, the Esther lesson here, the Passover lesson here, the Job lesson here and the Adam and Eve lesson here.
