Exodus 14 v 5 – 31

Lesson Aim

To understand that God can and will save his people.

Hook 1: Bowl of water

Have a washing up bowl half full of water. At the appropriate time in the story get two of the children to attempt to pull back the water with their hands to their ends of the bowl. Have a third child blow across the middle. You can repeat this with three other children. Explain that humans cannot separate water but God could.

Hook 2: Two long pieces of blue cloth

Have four children, two at each end,  gently wave the cloth pretending to be the sea. When the sea parts they turn the cloth and hold it vertically, then all the other children walk through the sea. Two other children dressed as soldiers (or simply given cardboard swords) could follow them and be drowned in the water.

Hook 3: Large signs

Have two or more large signs saying ‘moans’ and ‘groans’, possibly with people’s sad faces on them. Have children hold up the signs when the people saw the approaching Egyptians and responded by complaining to Moses.

Hook 4: Questions

Have you ever seen pictures of a flood? A flood so great that everything seems to be destroyed. Show a picture of a recent flood which has been in the news and ask where the disaster took place.

Story tips

Do not be afraid to mention that the Egyptians died. This was an act of a just God. Children are used to much more gruesome stories than this.

Application

God saved his people and punished those who tried to kill his people.  God is powerful enough to use things like the sea to save his people.

Moan and Groan Signs

The ‘moan‘ and ‘groan’ signs (see Hook 3) can be used with each story of the Exodus. They are a good way of illustrating the response of the Israelites throughout their desert journey. Children will enjoy holding the signs up each week.