VERSES: Exodus 10: 21-29
MEMORY VERSE: Exodus 10:22 "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days."
BOOK TO REMEMBER: Habakkuk. Write "Habakkuk" on slips of paper and hand out to the students at the end of class. Since this might be a short lesson, the Bible teacher might be prepared to review the Books of the Old Testament a few extra times.
PRAYER: Be thankful for the sun, moon, and stars that help us in our efforts from day to day. We take many things for granted; let not that be so! Let us be a thankful people!
SPECIAL SONG: This Little Light Of Mine (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #3 on this blog). Because this is one of the shorter lessons, extra songs might be sung today by reviewing all the Bible songs the students know.
VISUAL AID: Telling this lesson with the lights off is helpful, especially if it is not too dark.
LESSON POINTS:
- The LORD told Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven that there would be darkness over the land of Egypt. This was not going to be just any kind of darkness. Let's turn to Exodus 10:21 and see how this darkness was going to be different. (Read verse.) How will this darkness be different than we have today? That's right! The darkness that God was going to send was going to be felt! Have you ever felt darkness? Sometimes it gets pretty dark, but we always have some kind of light, don't we? It is rarely totally black.
- So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven and there was a thick darkness over all of Egypt for three days. The Egyptians could not see each other. No one left his place or his house for three days, BUT ALL THE ISRAELITES HAD LIGHT IN THEIR HOMES!
- Finally, Pharaoh called Moses and told him to go and serve the LORD, only they could not take their flocks and herds, but the little children could go with the people. Was that what God had wanted? NO! Moses told Pharaoh that the people had to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, so they were going to take their flocks and herds. In fact, Moses said that not one hoof would be left behind. Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. Pharaoh told Moses and Aaron to go away from him and they would see his face no more or else they would die.. Moses told Pharaoh that he spoken well. They would see his face no more.
- How could this story end? It doesn't sound like a very happy ending...but everyone must come back next time to hear about the exciting things that happen next!!
- Discuss the effects of light. Why do we like light? We like to see around us, sometimes we use light for safety and for securing our property. Many people have tiny lights around their flowers at night, so there is a little of peace of mind when there's a little light. Most of us would rather have light than darkness.
- Christians are to be the light of the world. (Mt. 5:14-16) When there is so much sickness and sadness and darkness in this world, Christians know that they can shine their lights and it will make everything better. How do Christians shine their lights? That's right! By reading God's Word and sharing the Gospel and doing good deeds, it shines God's light and makes the world a little brighter.
- Thinking of how dark it was during this plague, it sounds like no one could or would work. Not much was getting done by saying NO to God!
ACTIVITY: The Darkest Darkness
Materials needed: Black construction paper, glue, pencil, scissors, white crayon.
- Hand out two 9" x 12" black construction papers to each student.
- Set one back paper aside. This is the foundation.
- On the other black paper, trace the students' hands.
- Cut out the hands.
- Glue the black hands on the black paper, mimicking how dark the darkness was.
- Write "Darkness - Plague #9" and "Exodus 10:21-29" at the top of the paper.