Exodus 32 v 1 – 20

Lesson Aim

To understand that we can be saved through faith in Jesus.

Hook 1: Outline of the Golden Calf on large sheet of paper

Google in ‘Drawing of cow’, print and enlarge to A3 and cut out a copy of the cow. Draw round it with a felt pen on to a large sheet of paper

Cut gold foil paper (available at any good stationers or craft shop) into 3cm squares.  Stick some gold foil on to the difficult shape parts (head and legs)

Once you have told about Moses ascending Mount Sinai and the Israelite people wanting to make a Golden Calf, have the children stick on the rest of the gold foil (the area to be covered in gold foil can easily be varied depending upon the amount of children and time available).

Hook 2: Sand (a pinch) and water

When the story reaches the part where the Golden Calf is ground down to a powder and added to the drinking water, sprinkle a pinch of sand into a glass of water and pretend to drink it. Emphasise the foul taste. Offer the drink to the children – they won’t want to drink it!

Hook 3: Two slates (from previous week)

When Moses descends the mountain with the tablets of stone (the slates do not need to be broken).

WARNING – There is a real risk of an accident if the slates are to be broken. You do not want to put a child’s eye out!

Hook 4: Questions

Have you ever been with someone who broke a law? Perhaps you were in your car and your parent broke the speed limit. Perhaps a friend stole some sweets from a shop.
Today’s story from the Bible tells how God’s people broke God’s laws.

 Application

The Israelites received God’s Ten Commandments but broke them. All people including Christians today break God’s laws. It is because of this that God sent his Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. We should thank God for his laws but more importantly we should thank him for Jesus his son.