The manna in the wilderness story teaches children that God takes care of His people every single day, even when they feel hungry and afraid. This lesson works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of us every day, so we can trust Him for what we need today and not worry about tomorrow.
Memory Verse
Exodus 16:4
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not.
(WEB)
Have children cup their hands together like they are holding something light, then lift them up toward the sky as if receiving bread from heaven. Say the verse together, lifting your hands each time you say “bread from the sky.”
The Story: Exodus 16 for Kids
God’s people, the children of Israel, had left Egypt a while ago. They were now in a big, empty wilderness, far from any farms or towns. Their food was running out, and the people became very worried.
The people started to complain to Moses and Aaron. They said, “We wish we had died back in Egypt, where we had plenty of bread to eat!” They were scared and forgot how God had already helped them so many times.
God heard their complaints and spoke to Moses. God said He would send bread from the sky for them every morning. He told the people to gather just enough for each day, so they would learn to trust Him daily.
In the evening, quail came and covered the camp, so the people had meat to eat. In the morning, the ground was covered with a small, round, flaky food that looked like frost. The people asked, “What is it?” Moses told them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.”
The people called this food manna. Each family gathered what they needed, and everyone had enough. God told them not to keep any extra until the next morning, but some people did not listen, and the manna spoiled.
On the sixth day, God told them to gather twice as much, so they would have food for the Sabbath day of rest. The manna kept fresh, and no one had to work on that day. The people kept getting manna like this for forty years, until they reached the land God promised them.
Read It Together
Exodus 16:14-15
14 When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. 15 When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”
(WEB)
Point out how the bread appeared on the ground as the dew went away. Ask children to notice that the people did not know what it was, and that God still gave them exactly what they needed.
Exodus 16:18
When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They gathered every man according to his eating.
(WEB)
Show children that each person gathered a different amount, but everyone had enough. Explain that God cares for every person in the same way, no matter how much or how little they have.
Exodus 16:31
The house of Israel called its name Manna, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey.
(WEB)
Let children hear that the bread was white and tasted sweet, like wafers with honey. Remind them that God’s gifts are good and that He cares about even the small details of our needs.
Talk About It
- How do you think the people felt when they saw there was no food around them?
- What can you do when you feel scared or worried about what you will eat or need?
- Why do you think God told the people to gather only what they needed for one day?
- How did the people show that they trusted God when they saved extra manna for the Sabbath?
- What is one thing God has given you each day that you can thank Him for today?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Manna Art
You will need a paper plate, white paint or white crayons, cotton balls, and glue. Let children glue a few cotton balls onto the plate to look like the morning dew, then draw small round white shapes on the plate with the crayons to show the manna. As they work, talk about how God sent the bread every morning for His people.
Gather the Manna Game
You will need small white pom-poms or dried beans, and a few bowls or cups. Scatter the pom-poms on the floor and have children run to collect them, but tell them to gather only enough for one day. Have them bring their finds back to the bowl, and talk about how God made sure everyone had enough when they trusted Him.
Daily Bread Jar at Home
You will need a small jar or box, paper strips, and a pen. Each day, have your child write one thing they are thankful for on a strip and place it in the jar. When the jar is full, read the notes together and talk about how God gives us what we need each day, just as He did for the children of Israel.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God provides for His people with generosity and faithfulness, even in the middle of hardship. The people’s complaints reveal how easily we forget God’s past help when we face new fears. The daily gathering of manna also teaches a rhythm of dependence, trusting God for today while resting in His care for the future.
Avoid suggesting to children that every good thing will always arrive in the exact way they expect, or that God guarantees a comfortable life. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His care for His people, rather than promising specific outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for taking care of us every day. Help us trust You for what we need, and help us remember that You always hear us. Thank You for giving us bread and for loving us so much. Amen.
