In this lesson, children learn that God is merciful, gracious, and faithful, even after His people have done wrong. Exodus 34 tells how God gave Moses a second set of stone tablets after the first ones were broken. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is kind and forgiving, and He keeps His promises even when we mess up. Because He is good, we can always come back to Him and ask for forgiveness.
Memory Verse
Exodus 34:6
The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth…
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart, then slowly open both arms wide, like a big hug. Say the words together, “The LORD is merciful and gracious,” while you hold the hug open. Repeat it three times so the children remember it.
The Story: Exodus 34 for Kids
Moses had brought God’s laws down from the mountain once before. But the people had built a golden calf and worshiped it, and Moses was so upset that he broke the stone tablets. God still loved His people and wanted to keep His promise to them. So He told Moses, “Chisel out two new stone tablets like the first ones.”
Moses climbed Mount Sinai early in the morning, just as God had told him. He carried the two new stones in his hands. No one else was allowed on the mountain with him. God came down in a cloud and stood with Moses there. He spoke His own name out loud, the name that tells who He is.
God said, “I am the LORD, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, full of love and truth.” God is kind to thousands of people, and He forgives wrongdoing and sin. Moses bowed low to the ground and worshiped Him. Then Moses asked God to go with the people, even though they were stubborn. He asked God to forgive them and to be their own.
God made a promise to Moses. He would do amazing things for His people that no other nation had ever seen. Moses was told to write down the words of God’s promise. He stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights, without eating or drinking. He wrote the Ten Commandments on the new tablets.
When Moses came down, his face was shining brightly because he had been with God. The people were scared to come near him. So Moses spoke to them, and then he covered his face with a veil. He took the veil off whenever he went in to speak with God.
Read It Together
Exodus 34:1
The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel two stone tablets like the first. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
(WEB)
Point out that God chose to give His people another chance. Ask the children what it means that God wanted to write His words again. Explain that God does not give up on us when we make mistakes.
Exodus 34:9
He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go among us; although this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
(WEB)
Show how Moses asked God to forgive the people. Point out that Moses prayed for the people even though they had done wrong. Talk about how we can pray for others when they make mistakes.
Exodus 34:29-30
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mountain, Moses didn’t know that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with him. 30 When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him.
(WEB)
Point out that Moses’ face shone because he had spent time with God. Ask the children how spending time with God might change us. Explain that when we know God, we can show His light to others.
Talk About It
- What did God give Moses after the first tablets were broken?
- How did God describe Himself when He spoke to Moses on the mountain?
- Why do you think Moses bowed down and worshiped God?
- What is one time you were forgiven, and how did it feel?
- How can you show someone God’s mercy this week?
Activity Ideas
Stone Tablet Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a gray or brown paper bag. Have each child draw two tablet shapes on the paper and write the words “God is merciful” on one tablet. Let them decorate the other tablet with a heart or a rainbow. Afterward, have the children tell the class what their picture means.
Mountain Climb Game
Set up a few pillows or cushions as a mountain in the room. Let the children take turns carrying a folded towel carefully up to the top, like Moses carried the tablets. As they climb, call out “God is kind!” and have them repeat it. This helps them move their bodies while they practice the big idea.
Forgiveness Jar
You will need a clear jar, paper scraps, and a pen. Have each child write one time they were forgiven or one way they want to forgive someone. They can drop the paper into the jar at home each day. Read the notes together once a week to remember that God forgives us.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s justice and mercy work together. The people had broken their covenant with God, yet God renewed His promise and revealed Himself as merciful and gracious. Moses’ intercession and the shining of his face point to the closeness that comes from being in God’s presence.
Avoid overstating the golden calf story or the punishment mentioned in verse 7 with young children. Keep the focus on God’s kindness and forgiveness, and explain that God’s justice is part of His character without making it frightening.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being kind and forgiving to us. Thank You for giving us second chances when we do wrong. Help us to be merciful to others, just as You are merciful to us. Help us to spend time with You each day so our lives can shine Your love. Amen.
