This lesson teaches children that God rescued the Israelites from Egypt, and that remembering what God has done helps us trust Him today. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is strong, and He brings His people out of hard places. We remember what He has done so we can trust Him for what He will do.
Memory Verse
Exodus 13:3
Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
(WEB)
Hold your hand out in front of you, then pretend to lift something up and carry it over your head. Say “By strength of hand” together as you lift. Doing the motion helps children picture God carrying His people out of Egypt.
The Story: Exodus 13 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Israel lived in Egypt, and they were slaves. They worked very hard every day, and they wanted to be free. God had a plan to bring them home to a good land.
Moses was God’s helper, and God gave him an important job. God told Moses that every firstborn child and firstborn animal belonged to Him. God wanted His people to remember this special day, the day they left Egypt. Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, because the Lord brought you out with a strong hand.”
God told the people to eat bread without yeast for seven days. This special bread reminded them that they left in a hurry. God also said that parents should tell their children about what God did. Children would ask, “What is this?” and their parents would say, “The Lord rescued us from Egypt!”
God did not take the people on the short road to the land. He took them the long way, around by the wilderness near the Red Sea. God knew the people might get scared and want to go back to Egypt if they saw a war. So God led them carefully.
God went with His people every step of the way. In the daytime, He went before them as a tall pillar of cloud. At night, He went before them as a pillar of fire, giving them light. The people never had to walk alone.
Read It Together
Exodus 13:17-18
17 When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”; 18 but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.
(WEB)
Point out that God chose the path that kept His people safe, even though it was not the shortest road. Ask children to notice that God knew what they needed before they did.
Exodus 13:21
The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night…
(WEB)
Show children how God guided the people with a cloud by day and fire by night. Explain that God’s presence was always visible to them, so they could follow Him.
Exodus 13:14-15
14 It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
(WEB)
Point out that parents were asked to tell their children the story of God’s rescue. Talk about how families today can share stories of God’s faithfulness at home.
Talk About It
- What did God do for the people of Israel when they were slaves in Egypt?
- Why do you think God wanted the people to remember the day they left Egypt?
- How did God take care of the people on their long journey?
- What is one thing God has done for you that you want to remember?
- When you feel scared, how can you remember that God is with you?
Activity Ideas
Cloud and Fire Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, cotton balls, and glue. Have children draw a long road with people walking on it. Then let them glue cotton balls to the top for a cloud and draw red and orange flames at the bottom for fire. Ask them to tell you where God was leading the people on their drawing.
Follow the Leader Journey
Clear some space in a room or yard and place a chair at the front as the “Red Sea.” Have children follow one leader in a line, taking the long way around the chairs, as God led the people. Stop and say, “God is leading us, so we will not be afraid.” Repeat the memory verse motion as you walk.
Remember God’s Rescue Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a pencil for each child. Ask children to write or draw one thing God has done for them. Let them take the card home and show it to someone in their family. Encourage them to ask that family member to share a story of God’s help too.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s deliverance of His people is grounded in His own strength and faithfulness, not in their ability to rescue themselves. The passage also shows that remembering God’s past acts shapes how a community teaches the next generation to trust Him. God’s guidance through the cloud and fire points to His constant presence with His people.
Avoid overstating to children that God will always lead us on an easy or short road. The text shows God leading the people the long way to protect them, and children may misunderstand this as a promise that trials will never be hard. Instead, emphasize that God knows what is best and is always with us, even when the path is long.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for rescuing Your people and for being with us every day. Help us remember what You have done for us, and help us trust You when the road feels long. Lead us, and stay close to us, like the cloud and the fire. Amen.
