This lesson teaches children that God is faithful even when people are unkind, and that he watches over his people and the brave helpers who trust him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, reading, and activity.
Big Idea
God takes care of his people, even when a powerful king tries to hurt them. He takes care of the brave people who obey him, even when it is hard.
Memory Verse
Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.
(WEB)
Put your hands together like you are praying, then open them wide as you say “But the midwives feared God.” Do this with every line to help the words stick in your memory.
The Story: Exodus 1 for Kids
A long time ago, Jacob and his sons moved to Egypt. Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, was already living there and was an important man. Joseph and all his brothers grew old and died, but their families kept growing. There were so many children of Israel that the whole land was filled with them.
Then a new king became ruler of Egypt. This king did not know about Joseph or how good he had been to the people of Egypt. The king became worried because the Israelites were so many and so strong. He said to his people, “Let us be wise and stop them from growing, or they might fight against us.”
So the king made the Israelites work very hard. They made bricks and built big storage cities for the king. The harder the Egyptians made them work, the more the Israelites grew. The king became even more angry and gave a terrible order to two midwives named Shiphrah and Puah. He told them, “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, kill the baby boys, but let the girls live.”
The midwives loved God more than they feared the king. They did not obey the cruel order, and they let the baby boys live. When the king asked them why, they told him that the Hebrew women were strong and gave birth quickly, before the midwives could arrive. God was kind to the midwives, and he gave them families of their own.
The king was still not happy. He ordered all his people to throw every baby boy born to the Israelites into the river. The chapter ends with this sad command, and it reminds us that God’s people still needed his help.
Read It Together
Exodus 1:7
The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.
(WEB)
Point out that God blessed his people so they grew and filled the land, even though the king wanted them to stop. Ask the children what it means that God keeps his promises to his people.
Exodus 1:12
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel.
(WEB)
Show the children that the harder the king made things for the Israelites, the more they grew. Explain that God can bring good results even out of hard situations.
Exodus 1:20-21
20 God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty. 21 Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
(WEB)
Point out that God was good to the midwives because they feared him and chose to obey him. Help the children see that God rewards people who trust him and do what is right.
Talk About It
- What did the midwives do when the king told them to hurt the babies, and why do you think they chose to obey God?
- How do you think the Israelite families felt when the king made their work so hard?
- What is one way you can show God that you trust him when something feels scary?
- Why do you think God kept blessing his people even when the king was against them?
- Who are some brave helpers you know today who do the right thing even when it is hard?
Activity Ideas
Midwife Paper Doll Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw and cut out two simple paper figures, one for Shiphrah and one for Puah. Let them decorate the figures with bright clothes, then glue them onto a sheet of paper with a small heart drawn above them to show that God is watching over them.
Brave Midwife Freeze Game
You will need an open space and a few chairs. Play a game like freeze tag where one child is the king who says “Stop!” and everyone else must freeze. The children who keep moving and “obey God” get a point, and the king tries to catch them. Talk afterward about how the midwives stayed brave.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a pencil. Have each child write or draw one thing they can do this week to trust God when they feel scared. Encourage them to keep the card near their bed or school bag, and to share it with a family member at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God was at work even when the king’s plans seemed to succeed. The midwives chose God’s authority over the king’s command, and God honored their faithfulness with families of their own. The chapter also prepares readers for the story of Moses, showing that God’s rescue plan had already started.
Avoid overstating to children that obeying God will always make life easy or safe. The midwives still faced danger, and the chapter ends with a painful command. Emphasize that God is faithful and near, rather than suggesting he will always protect us from every hard thing.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you see us and care for us every day. Help us to be brave like the midwives, and to trust you when we feel afraid. Help us to do what is right, even when it is hard. Thank you that you always keep your promises to us. Amen.
