Download Infant Sunday School Series: MOSES At the start of this series the

Infant Sunday School
Series: MOSES
At the start of this series the people of Israel are powerless slaves in Egypt. But they are God’s people and
he has a plan for them. Enter an unlikely hero – Moses. Look at the way that God protects him and ensures
that he is brought up in a royal palace. Think through Moses’ reluctance to take on the role that God calls
him to. Why does he react like that? What might we learn from that about our own reactions? God’s
reaction is not to withdraw the call, but to reveal himself to Moses and equip him for the task. What does
this say about our own work for God? Many years before Moses’ birth, God had promised Abraham that he
would be the father of a nation, God’s chosen people living in God’s chosen land (Genesis 12:1–3). During
Abraham’s lifetime, the realisation of the promise may have looked pretty thin – the birth of only one son of
the covenant – Isaac – and a tiny piece of land that Abraham purchased to bury his wife. Could not he – and
we – expect more from God’s greatness?
Right from the outset a pattern emerged that we see again with Moses: being chosen by God and being given
divine promises are no guarantees of an easy life. Before his birth Moses is marked for death (Exodus 1:16)
because part of God’s original promise to Abraham was being fulfilled (Exodus 1:9; compare Genesis 15:5). His
mother and a midwife, each risking their own life, redeemed Moses from death.
We see Moses rescued from the river, an amazing encounter at the burning bush, and the plagues with their
stories of God’s power and Pharaoh’s hardness. Our series also looks at the Passover which ensures that the
Israelites are saved and then released from slavery, and enabled to escape from Egypt. The crossing of the Red
Sea is an exciting story that the children will enjoy. At the heart of it is the knowledge of God’s protection –
which will give young children security and comfort.
This is all God’s doing, but look at the part the Israelites have to play. Notice the way in which God’s
instructions are obeyed to the letter. Ask why it is so important that they celebrate every year. What does this
do for their relationship with God and their understanding of his character? It also forms an important
backdrop to our previous series – Jesus is seen as our Passover (2 Corinthians 5:17), the one who enables us to
escape from the power of sin. An obedient nation and an unlikely servant were part and parcel of God’s plan.
God still works in similar ways. What does this say about our own Christian service? How might we use it to
encourage those with whom we are working?
Preparation for your group: We are meeting Moses, a newborn baby chosen by God to become a great leader!
The story shows how God was preparing, watching over and protecting Moses, but there are ‘dark’ aspects to
this story too. Some children may lack a sense of personal security: the story of Moses can help them meet
God who is greater than any danger and who can and does give literal as well as spiritual salvation. The story
of the Exodus contains lots of drama which our 5 to 8s will enjoy; but it also contains some hard facts. The
older children may find it hard that so many Egyptians died whereas the younger ones may just accept it in a
more matter-of-fact manner. So be prepared for mixed reactions. The emphasis throughout this series is on
how God acts – which is not always in a way we would expect. But this is encouraging to young children: God
doesn’t necessarily choose the biggest, the best or the cleverest, but he will help them and give them what
they need to do their best for him.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS SERIES: "My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:2
Moses Part 1
“The baby in the basket”
Draw the following:
Things that protect us
People that protect us
(examples: bicycle helmets, seat belts, gloves)
(examples: Fireman, policeman, God)
Explain the meaning of the word ‘protect’ (keep, shield, guard, look after). You could bring a few
examples or pictures of the above. As the children arrive, have them think of as many things and
people they can think of.
About today:
We have finished the story of Joseph now, but we are going to move on to what happened to
Joseph’s family next. This is foud in the book of Exodus, it is the second book of the bible, and the
word Exodus means ‘a lot of people leaving’. We will see what this means later in this story.
Today we will learn about the birth of Moses. Moses was born a long time ago in Egypt. Can you
remember where we left our story last week about Joseph and his brothers, they were living in
Egypt. But they were not Egyptians, they were the family of Jacob, who also was called Israel. Their
family grew and grew until there were many many of these Israelites in Egypt. And the Pharoah who
had been kind to Joseph and his family had died. The new Pharoah was not so keen on the Israelites.
Moses was not an Egyptian. He was an Israelite. At that time the Pharaoh of Egypt gave an order
that every newborn baby boy was to be thrown into the Nile River and killed, but baby girls could
live. That doesn't sound fair does it? Can you imagine the sadness parents had when a baby boy was
born? But this is a story about how God can protect His own chosen people, even during evil times
like this.
Story: Exodus 2:1-10
Discussion Questions on the story:
1. Instead of throwing Moses into the Nile, what did his mother do with him for the first three
months of his life? (She hid him.)
2. When his mother could hide him no longer, what did she do with Moses? (She put him in a basket
and set him among the reeds in the Nile.)
3. Where did Pharaoh's daughter find the baby? (Along the bank of the Nile among the reeds.)
4. What was Pharaoh's daughter doing when she found Moses? (Bathing with her servants.)
5. Do you think Moses was found by accident, or was it God's plan? (God's plan.)
6. Who did Pharaoh's daughter find to nurse the baby? (His mother.)
7. How do we see God's protection in this story? (God protected Moses from dying in the Nile River
by allowing Pharaoh's daughter to find him and raise him as an Egyptian.)
Activity: Sink or float
Bring in a bunch of small toys and objects, some that float and some that don't. Pass out one toy or
object per child, remind them that Moses' mother put tar all over the basket to make it float in the
water before you start the game. Call one child at a time and ask him if he thinks his object will float
on top of the water like Baby Moses' basket or sink. Then let him or her drop it into a bucket of
water to see if he or she was correct.
Application from the opening activity:
We use many things to protect us for instance helmets, gloves and heavy coats in the winter. People
also protect us from harm, such as firemen and lifeguards. God's protection is always there, even
when we don't know it. He has a plan for us just like He did for Moses. Although things may seem
difficult at the time, God is always working in us for the good when we seek him and love him.
The Bible says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Pray thanking God for His protection. Remember, our help comes from the Lord, the maker of
heaven and earth.
Memory verse: Learn the memory verse for this series.
Craft ideas:
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Make crowns and decorate and think about the princess who pulled Moses from the river.
A selection of basket crafts are available here: http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/BibleThemes-Moses.html
Colouring page below