This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises even when people refuse to listen, and that He is the one who is really in charge. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is in charge, even when people say no to Him. He keeps His promises, and He wants everyone to know that He is the LORD.
Memory Verse
Exodus 10:2
And that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son’s son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am the LORD.”
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and hold their hands high like they are reaching for the sky. As they say the verse together, they can slowly bring their hands down and then tap their chests on the word “you.” This helps them remember that God wants us to tell others about Him.
The Story: Exodus 10 for Kids
God sent Moses and his brother Aaron back to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh had already refused to let God’s people, the Israelites, leave Egypt. God told Moses that He had made Pharaoh’s heart hard so that God could show His power. God wanted the Israelites to tell their children and grandchildren about everything He did in Egypt.
Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh and gave him God’s message. “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before God? Let His people go!” Pharaoh’s servants were worried. They said, “Don’t you see that Egypt is being destroyed?” Pharaoh still would not listen.
God sent a huge swarm of locusts, which are small insects that eat plants. They covered the whole land, and they ate every green thing that the hail had left behind. The people were scared and sad. Pharaoh called for Moses and said, “I have sinned against your God. Please forgive me and pray to Him.”
Moses prayed, and God sent a strong wind from the west. The wind blew all the locusts away into the Red Sea. But Pharaoh’s heart was still hard, and he still would not let the people go. Then God told Moses to stretch out his hand, and a thick darkness covered the land of Egypt for three days. The Israelites had light in their homes, but the Egyptians could not see anything.
Pharaoh told Moses to go and serve God, but he said the animals had to stay behind. Moses said that they needed the animals for worship. Pharaoh became angry and told Moses to leave and never come back. Moses agreed, and the chapter ends with God’s people still waiting for their freedom.
Read It Together
Exodus 10:1-2
1 The LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs among them, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son’s son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am the LORD.”
(WEB)
Point out that God tells Moses why He is doing these things. God wants the children of Israel to remember what He did so that they can tell their children and grandchildren. Ask the children what they think they would tell their own families about God.
Exodus 10:20
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go.
(WEB)
Show the children that Pharaoh kept saying no, even after seeing God’s power. Explain that people can choose to say no to God, but that does not stop Him from being in charge. Encourage children to think about how they can say yes to God when they know He is calling them.
Exodus 10:23
They didn’t see one another, and nobody rose from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
(WEB)
Point out that even in the darkness, God’s people had light in their homes. This shows that God takes care of His people even in hard times. Ask the children to name a time when they felt God’s light in a dark moment.
Talk About It
- What do you think Pharaoh should have done when Moses told him God’s message?
- How did God show His people that He was watching over them during the plagues?
- Why do you think God wanted the Israelites to tell their children about what He did?
- What is one way you can tell someone about God this week?
- When have you felt safe even when things around you felt scary or dark?
Activity Ideas
Locust Collage Craft
You will need construction paper, green and brown crayons or markers, glue, and small pieces of torn paper. Have the children draw a simple outline of a tree or plant on the paper. Then have them glue small torn pieces of paper on the tree to show the locusts eating the leaves. Talk together about how God’s people still had light even when things were hard.
Stretch Out Your Hand Game
Gather the children in a circle or open space. Call out a command like “Stretch out your hand toward the sky!” and have everyone raise their arms high. Then call out “Hide in the darkness!” and have the children crouch down low. Play a few rounds, and then remind the children that Moses obeyed God’s command when he stretched out his hand.
Light in the Darkness Take-Home Card
You will need an index card, a small flashlight or tea light, and a marker. Have the children write or draw one thing that helps them feel God’s light, such as family, friends, or a favorite Bible story. Let them take the card home and place it on their nightstand. Encourage them to look at the card each night and thank God for His light.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God is sovereign over all creation, and that He is faithful to His promises even when people refuse to listen. Pharaoh’s repeated refusals reveal the danger of hardening one’s heart against God. Adults can see in Moses a model of faithful obedience, and in the darkness plague a sign that God distinguishes between His people and those who oppose Him.
Avoid overstating to children that God makes people do bad things. The text says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but the story also shows Pharaoh’s own choices to refuse. Keep the focus on God’s power and faithfulness, and let children ask questions about the harder parts of the story.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You are in charge of everything. Help us to say yes to You when You call us, and help us to trust You even when things feel dark. Help us tell others about how good You are. Amen.
