God s Unfolding Story

Transcription

1 Bible Story: God Led His People (Exodus 13:17-22; 14:1-31; 15:1) Bible Phrase: I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted (Exodus 15:1). Bible Truth: Because God is mighty and powerful, I will give Him praise. Old Testament Unit 6: Moses Lesson 4: God Led His People God s Unfolding Story 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Suggested Schedule: Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour A Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Please read our story from Exodus 13:17 15:1. Learning of the exodus as a child, I sometimes thought, How could the people be so stubborn and faithless? Look how God constantly worked in their midst! Yet these words have returned to challenge me when my own lack of faith and stubbornness have played out. In the biblical account of Israel s release from Egyptian bondage and their journey to the promised land, we see a strong tendency on the part of the Israelites to doubt God and even to disbelieve Him altogether. They were stubborn (see Ex. 32:9; 33:3), but God loved them. He wanted them to know He was their God and they were His children. He wanted them to depend totally on Him. Their journey to true faith would be difficult, but God would be with them. He led His people through the Red Sea and through the desert, away from neighboring threats. He was present in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night all the way to the promised land. He was the Father leading His children to safety. Without depending on Him, they would die. After the Israelites had left Egypt and traveled a relatively short distance, they didn t know Pharaoh had changed his mind and was pursuing them. But God knew, and He was preparing a grand event that would show His greatness and demonstrate His love. As soon as the Israelites realized Pharaoh was behind them and the Red Sea before them, they began to doubt. Rightly they cried out to God for help, but fear took over as they accused Moses of bringing them to their deaths. Moses assured them, The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet (Ex. 14:14). Think about those words for a moment. To exercise them takes extreme faith. The Lord will fight for me and I must be quiet. Surrendering to God in the face of an army on one side and a sea on the other would require the Israelites to stop complaining and striving. They would have to be quiet before the Lord and allow Him to be in control. God positioned Himself behind His own to protect them, and as Moses raised his staff, God unleashed His power. All God s children walked across on dry land! Pharaoh foolishly followed and as a final statement to all of Egypt, God closed the path and annihilated the entire Egyptian army. Whatever God does is always for the spiritual welfare of His people. The Israelites experienced God that day in a way they never should have forgotten. The experience led Israel to worship and to fear the Lord. Day after day, God works in our lives in both small and great ways. He is constantly showing us His mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, and power. Yet, like the Israelites, we forget God s faithfulness. We murmur, complain, and think God has forgotten us. Surely the One who created the world out of nothing can handle our circumstances! We must learn to be quiet before Him and wait for Him to part the waters for us. He will! Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 1

2 Puzzle Center: Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Invite preschoolers to work puzzles. Encourage each child to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than working the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible phrase or to briefly tell the Bible story. Home Living Center: Role Play Small rocking chair; sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes; child pots and pans; pretend food items; doll, doll bed, and doll accessories What to Do: Home living items naturally encourage children to act out roles and activities they observe at home. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers play, express to them that they will learn from today s Bible story how God cared for the Israelites. Talk about how the Israelites had to pack up quickly to leave Egypt. Think about some things they may have taken with them when they left. Center Time Art Center: Color Bundles White construction paper Crayons Masking tape What to Do: Print today s Bible Phrase, I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted (Exodus 15:1) on the bottom of each paper. To make a color bundle, gather three different colors of crayons and stack them with two on the bottom and one on top. Tightly tape around the middle of the bundle. Make 8 or 10 bundles for children to use to draw designs on their papers. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers draw and experiment with different color bundles, read the Bible Phrase. Remind children that God sent Moses to help the Israelites leave Egypt. Soon after Pharaoh finally let the people go, he became angry and decided to bring them back. Explain that God protected the people in an amazing way that we will hear about in the Bible Story Time. When the Israelites were safe again, they worshiped God and sang a song. Our Bible Phrase is part of what they sang. Bible Learning Center: Matching Activity Copies of Activity Page: Matching, Find the Matching Object (Reproducible) Washable markers or crayons What to Do: Children look at the object on the left side of each row and find the matching object and circle the object. Link to the Bible Story: Comment to children that the pictures on the page are part of our Bible story today. As children find matches use the pictures to share parts of the Bible story. For instance, the camel was used as a pack animal to carry food, clothes and supplies when the Israelites left Egypt. Block Center: Build with Blocks Wooden blocks What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As children play in the Block Center, listen for opportunities to share part of the Bible story, say the Bible Phrase, or refer to the Bible truth of today s lesson. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 2

3 Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture God Led His People (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to the boys and girls that even though we find many stories in the Bible, the Bible really tells one big story, and all the little stories are part of the big one we can call God s Unfolding Story. Tell children that each picture represents a part of God s Unfolding Story. Turn the cube and talk about each part of the story. (Refer to page 1.) Express that every story from the Bible is from one of the main parts in God s Unfolding Story. Today s story is from the third part, God chose a special people. Express the following in your own words. Have you ever heard of the word miracle? What do you think it means? A miracle is something only God can do. It is something that could not possibly have happened because of any ability or power belonging to people. God performs miracles to show His power. In last s week s story we learned how Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt, but Pharaoh would not them go. So God sent all kinds of plagues like frogs and flies upon the Egyptians to make them let God s people go. Finally, after 10 plagues, Pharaoh was ready for them to leave. Our story today is about the miracle God performed after they left Egypt. Listen to this amazing story. Bible Story God Led His People (Exodus 13:17 15:1) After all the terrible frogs, flies, calamity, and death that God sent to the Egyptians, Pharaoh was ready for the Israelites to leave. The Egyptians even gave the Israelites silver, gold, jewelry, and clothing. The Egyptians gave them anything they asked for. They really wanted them to leave! Very quickly, the Israelites packed their animals and began their trip to the place God would show them. God told Moses exactly which way to go and promised to be with His people. God provided a huge cloud to lead the people during the day and another cloud of fire to lead them at night. God was always with them. The people were excited about their new home. Soon after the Israelites left, Pharaoh became angry that he had let them go. He decided to go after them and bring them back to Egypt. Pharaoh gathered his soldiers, chariots, and horsemen and set out to catch the Israelites. They had to ride fast to catch up with God s people. Moses and the Israelites had walked a long way and were almost to a great body of water called the Red Sea! Now the Egyptians were behind them and the great sea was in front of them. What would they do? They cried out saying, We are afraid! God told Moses to tell the people, Don t be afraid, I will take care of you. God told Moses He was going to do something that would make both the Israelites and the Egyptians know He was God. He told Moses to hold up his staff over the sea. When Moses held up the staff, the water of the sea parted and left a dry path for all of God s people to walk safely across. The Egyptians saw this and decided to follow. But God told Moses, Stretch out your staff again. Moses obeyed, and the waters went back over the path and the Egyptians were no longer able to hurt the Israelites. When the Israelites saw this great power that the Lord God used against the Egyptians, the people knew that God was a great God. They sang a song to God. They said, I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Review the story with these or with similar questions. What did God use during the day and night to show the Israelites that He was with them as they traveled? What did Pharaoh decide to do after the Israelites left Egypt? How did the Israelites feel when they saw the Egyptians? What was the miracle that God performed at the Red Sea? What did the Israelites do after they had crossed through the sea on dry land to the other side? 2. Read the Bible phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together, I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted (Exodus 15:1). Express to the children that because the Israelites were amazed at God s power and His protection, and they wanted to worship God by singing their thanks. Comment that we too can worship God in song, praising Him for His greatness and power. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting the children to join you in prayer. Thank God for His greatness and power, as well as the protection He gives. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 3

4 Craft Time: Bible Phrase Marker Copies of Bible Phrase Marker (Reproducible, cardstock recommended) Crayons or washable markers Glue sticks Small bag of sand, bowl for sand, paper plate What to Do: Cut out each Bible Phrase Marker. Instruct children to color the straps of their sandals. After coloring, children can rub the glue stick around the edge of the sandal shape. Demonstrate how to sprinkle a small amount of sand over the glue. Shake excess sand into a paper plate. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, read the Bible Phrase and talk about the amazing miracle God performed for His people. Express that as a group, you can praise and worship God for ways He cares for each of you as well. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time / Dismissal Wiggle It Out What to Do: Ask children to join you in the Game Time area and to stand in a circle. Explain that you will name a series of actions items for them to do. Express after each set of actions you will say, Wiggle it out! That means they are to wiggle and stand straight and say the Bible Phrase, I will sing to the Lord for He is highly exalted (Exodus 15:1) Touch your nose with one hand. While you are touching your nose, put your other hand on your head. While you are doing those things, bend down and tap your foot. Wiggle it out and say, I will sing to the Lord for He is highly exalted! Now put your arms up in the air. While your arms are in the air, bend your knees. While you are doing these things, blink your eyes and say, Amen! Wiggle it out and say, I will sing to the Lord for He is highly exalted! Finally, turn around. While you are turning around, put your right hand on your hip. While you are doing these things, wave your left hand, then jump up and down. Wiggle it out and say, I will sing to the Lord for He is highly exalted! Remind children that in today s Bible story, God did an amazing miracle when he parted the sea. Express that God is great, and only God could have parted the sea to let the Israelites cross over. Dismiss children as parents arrive. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 4

5 Resources and Supplies Old Testament Unit 6: Moses Lesson 4: God Led His People Hour A Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Bible Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page: Matching, Find the Matching Object (1 copy per child) Bible Phrase Marker (1 copy for every 2 children, cardstock recommended) Teaching Picture: God Led His People (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock 1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Coloring Page, God Led His People Additional Art Materials White construction paper Additional Craft Materials Small bag of sand Paper plate and paper bowl God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A

6 Matching: Find the Matching Object Activity Page: Matching, Find the Matching Object Instructions: One copy per child. Use a crayon or marker to find the object in each row that matches the object on the left. OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com

7 is highly exalted. Exodus 15:1 Craft: Bible Phrase Marker. Instructions: Copy 1 sheet for every 2 children, cardstock recommended. Color the straps on the sandal. Spread a line of glue along the edge of the sandal and sprinkle some sand along the glue line. to the Lord for He I will sing OT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Craft Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com I will sing to the Lord for He is highly exalted. Exodus 15:1

8 God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com God s Unfolding Story Cube Instructions: Cut out on dotted lines, fold on solid lines. Glue or tape to form a cube.

9 I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. Exodus 15:1 Coloring Page God Led His People OT06 Lesson 4 Optional God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright SundaySchoolZone.com