VERSES: Exodus 2:1-10; 6:20; 15:20; Hebrews 11:23-25
MEMORY VERSE: Exodus 2:10
BOOK TO REMEMBER: Isaiah. Write "Isaiah" on slips of paper and hand out to the students at the end of class. Practice the Old Testament books by singing "The Old Testament Books" (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class).
PRAYER: Thank God for our mothers and fathers and all those who love us and teach us God's Word. God watches over those who love Him and obey the things we read in the Bible. Pray for those who need our prayers. Perhaps there are students in your class that need God's help in some way.
SPECIAL SONG: Be Careful, Little Eyes (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #3)
VISUAL AID: Whiteboard or Chalkboard Drawing of Activity (see below)
LESSON POINTS:
- In this different land of Egypt that was so hostile to the Hebrew people, there was a man and a woman who were from the family of Levi. Do we remember Levi? Let sing our song, "The Sons of Jacob" (see April - Lesson - The Twelve Sons of Jacob) and see if hear the name of 'Levi.' (Sing song.) Did you hear Levi's name? He was number 3! Reuben, Simeon, Levi! From this good family, there was a man named Amram and his wife named Jochebed (Ex. 6:20). They had an older daughter named Miriam and a young son named Aaron (Ex. 15:20)...and they had a baby, but do you know what? The Bible doesn't tell us his name.
- We need to remember that this new, unkind Pharaoh had made a law that said that all the Hebrew baby boys should be thrown into river when they were born. This was NOT what God wanted! God loves little children! This little baby that Amram and Jochebed had was a Hebrew boy, and when they saw that he was a beautiful child, they hid him for three months. They were not afraid of Pharaoh's commands.
- After three months, this little baby boy was growing and growing and soon, they could not hide him any longer. His mother took an ark or a little boat or basket made out of bulrushes. She put slime and pitch on the inside and the outside of the ark so it would not get water in it and sink. Then she put their sweet little baby boy inside and put the cover on top (Ex. 2:6) and put the basket in the river in the middle of the weeds, so it wouldn't float down the river. Then the baby's mother left. BUT...there was someone who was standing a little ways away, watching to see what would happen to her little baby brother. It was Miriam, the baby's sister!
- Soon, the daughter of Pharaoh came down to the river to wash herself. She brought her maidens or helpers with her to the river. She was walking along by the river's edge and guess what she saw? The ark in the middle of the weeds! She sent one of her maidens to go and get it and bring it to her. When she opened the ark, the baby cried! Pharaoh's daughter had compassion or kindness for the baby and said, "This is one of the Hebrew's children!"
- Then something more exciting happened! Miriam, the baby's sister, who was still watching what was happening to the baby, ran up to Pharaoh's daughter and asked, "Should I go and get someone to take care of the baby for you?" Pharaoh's daughter said to go and guess who Miriam went to get to take care of her brother? That's right! Her own mother! The baby's mother quickly came to Pharaoh's daughter and Pharaoh's daughter said to the mother, "Take this child away and take care of him for me and I will pay you money." The baby's mother took him back to her home. Don't you know that Jochebed and her whole family were SO happy that everything happened nicely! While Moses was in his mother and father's home, they must have taught him that he was a Hebrew and how he was to please God by obeying Him always. They must have taught him very well in this short amount of time (Heb. 11:23-25).
- The Bible says that the child grew until it was time for Jochebed to take the little boy to the palace to live where Pharaoh's daughter lived and the boy was treated just like he was Pharaoh's daughter's son. She even gave the little boy his name. Let's turn our Bibles to Exodus 2:10 to see what Pharaoh's daughter named him. (Read verse.) Let's place out bookmarks right here. What was the boy's name! She named him "Moses." Why? Because in the Egyptian language, "Moses" means "I drew him out of water." The baby's name was Moses and we are going to find out the many good things he does for God in the weeks to come.
"Older Student" Tips:
- Explain that it is important to know that Moses came from the family or tribe of Levi.
- Discuss how Moses' parents must have taught Moses about God and how to please him by obeying Him. A short time at home, but Moses never forgot who he was and chose to not be tempted by all the riches he saw all around him in the palace.
- Talk about how names meant something when babies were named, much like it is today. There was usually a reason why the child was given that particular name.
Materials needed: blue, brown, green, light green, tan construction paper, glue, crayons, scissors. Optional: small piece of soft fabric.
- Hand out a 9" x 12" sheet of blue construction paper. This is the foundation or background of the picture.
- Cut out grass or weeds out of green construction paper.
- Glue the green grass on the bottom edge of blue paper.
- Cut two oval shapes out of the brown construction paper.
- Fold ONLY one of the oval shapes down to form a top to the ark. (See picture below.)
- Draw a small, beautiful baby boy out of the tan paper.
- Cut baby out.
- Glue baby to the bottom of the unfolded oval paper.
- Cut a small piece of light green paper into a square for a blanket. (A small piece of soft fabric works nicely, too!)
- Glue paper or fabric blanket on the baby.
- Glue the top folded oval piece onto the unfolded oval. (See picture.)
- Before the students leave the classroom, fold the top down, so the baby cannot be seen. When the students retell the story to their parents, they can lift up the 'top of the ark' to reveal baby Moses! The children will love it!
- Write "Baby Moses" and "Exodus 2:1-10" at the top of the page.
