This lesson teaches children that God saw His people in trouble, heard their cries, and cared for them, even when the story seemed to be about a tiny baby floating in a basket. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God sees us, hears us, and takes care of us, even when we are small and everything feels scary.
Memory Verse
Exodus 2:24
God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands over their ears, then slowly open them wide, as if they are listening carefully for someone who is calling. Say the verse together while doing the motion, then repeat it again with eyes closed to help them picture God listening.
The Story: Exodus 2 for Kids
Long ago, the Hebrew people lived in Egypt, and the Egyptian king made them work very hard. A man and woman from the family of Levi had a baby boy. The baby was so beautiful that his mother hid him for three whole months. When she could not hide him anymore, she made a little basket out of reeds, sealed it with tar so it would float, and gently placed her baby inside.
She set the basket among the tall reeds at the edge of the river. The baby’s big sister stood far away to watch what would happen. Soon, the daughter of the king came down to the river to bathe. She saw the basket, and she sent her servant to bring it to her. When she opened it, the baby began to cry. Her heart felt sorry for him, and she said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”
Then the big sister came running up and asked, “Shall I find a woman to help take care of the baby for you?” The princess said, “Yes, go and get one.” So the sister brought their own mother, and the princess said, “Take this baby and take care of him for me. I will pay you.” The mother cared for her little boy, and he grew bigger and stronger.
When he was old enough, the child went to live in the palace with the princess, and she named him Moses. She said, “I named him Moses because I drew him out of the water.” Years went by. Moses grew up and saw how the Hebrew people were being treated unfairly. He became very angry and did something wrong, so he ran far away to the land of Midian.
In Midian, Moses sat down beside a well. Some shepherds were pushing away seven sisters who wanted to water their father’s sheep. Moses stood up and helped the sisters water their flock. Their father, a priest named Reuel, welcomed Moses into his home, and Moses married one of the daughters and lived there for a long time.
Many years passed, and the king of Egypt died. The Hebrew people were still slaves, and they cried out to God for help. God heard their groaning. He remembered the promise He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He saw His people. God cared about them very much.
Read It Together
Exodus 2:3
When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.
(WEB)
Point out how the mother did everything she could to keep her baby safe, even building a basket to float him on the river. Ask the children what they think it felt like for her to let go and trust God with her little boy.
Exodus 2:6
She opened it, and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
(WEB)
Show the children how the princess felt sorry for the crying baby even though he was not from her family. Remind them that caring for others who are different from us is something God wants us to do.
Exodus 2:23-25
23 In the course of those many days, the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. 24 God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the children of Israel, and God was concerned about them.
(WEB)
Read this passage slowly and point out that God heard, remembered, and saw His people. Explain that God knows when we are hurting, and He never forgets the promises He makes.
Talk About It
- What did Moses’ mother do to keep her baby safe, and what might she have been feeling inside?
- How do you think the princess knew the baby was special when she first saw him crying in the basket?
- Why do you think Moses’ big sister was brave enough to speak up and help her family?
- What did Moses do when he saw the shepherds being unkind to the sisters at the well?
- When you feel scared or sad, how can you remember that God sees you and hears you?
Activity Ideas
Paper Reed Basket Craft
You will need a paper plate, brown or green construction paper, scissors, glue, and crayons. Cut the paper plate in half and fold it into a small basket shape, then glue strips of green paper around the outside to look like reeds. Let the children draw a small baby inside the basket and talk about how God watched over baby Moses.
Watch Over the Basket Game
You will need a blanket or sheet, a small stuffed animal or doll to act as baby Moses, and two or three children. Have one child lie down under the blanket like the basket while the others gently pretend to float it across the room. Then have the children sing or say the memory verse with their hands cupped to their ears, showing that God is always listening and watching.
Family Listening Walk
You will need a small notebook or paper and a pencil for each family member. Before bedtime or during a walk, have everyone quietly look and listen for three things God made, like birds, wind, or leaves, and write or draw them down. Gather together afterward and say, “God sees and hears us every day,” and thank Him for the things you noticed.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful to His promises even when His people are suffering and seem forgotten. The story also reveals how God works through ordinary people, like a mother, a sister, and a princess, to protect and guide His plans. Notice that Moses’ own story begins in a time of danger, showing that God can be at work even when we cannot see the full picture.
Avoid telling children that Moses was a perfect hero, because the text shows that he acted in anger and had to flee. Instead, you can point out that God still used him and that God remains faithful even when people make mistakes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for seeing us and hearing us when we are scared or sad. Help us remember that You care for us every day, just like You cared for baby Moses and Your people in Egypt. Keep us safe and help us trust You in everything. Amen.
