In this lesson, children learn that God is merciful, gracious, and patient, and that He forgives His people even after they break His rules. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is kind, patient, and always ready to forgive when we turn back to Him. He keeps His promises even when we fail.
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 and gently wave the other hand outward, like a gift being given away. Say the words slowly together, then say them again faster, and let the children try the motion each time.
The Story: Exodus 34 for Kids
God told Moses, “Make two new stone tablets, just like the first ones.” Moses had broken the first tablets when he was angry about the people making a golden calf. So Moses took his chisel and cut two new stones, and he got up early in the morning. He was ready to climb the mountain just as God had asked.
Moses climbed Mount Sinai alone, carrying the two stone tablets in his hands. No one else was allowed to come up the mountain with him, and no animals were allowed to graze near it. God came down in a cloud and stood with Moses there. God called out His own name for Moses to hear.
Then God passed by Moses and told him who He is. God said that He is merciful and gracious, slow to get angry, and full of love and truth. Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped God. He asked God to go with the people, even though they were stubborn, and he asked God to forgive their sins.
God made a covenant with Moses and promised to do wonderful things for His people. He told them to be careful not to make friends with the people in the land who worshiped other gods. God said, “You shall worship no other god.” He reminded the people to keep the special feasts and to rest on the seventh day. Moses wrote all these words down on the tablets.
Moses stayed with God on the mountain for forty days and forty nights, and he did not eat or drink anything. When Moses came back down, his face was shining brightly, and the people were afraid to come close to him. He covered his face with a veil and then spoke to the people about everything God had said.
Read It Together
Exodus 34:5-6
5 The LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the LORD’s name. 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)
Point out that God came down in the cloud and told Moses His name and His character. Ask the children to notice that God shows Himself to Moses in a personal and kind way, not in a frightening way.
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 the children how Moses bowed his head and asked God to forgive the people. Explain that asking God to forgive us is a good and brave thing to do when we have done wrong.
Exodus 34:29
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.
(WEB)
Point out that Moses’s face shone after he spent time with God. Explain that spending time with God changes us and makes us want to be like Him.
Talk About It
- What does God say about Himself in this chapter, and what kind of God is He?
- Why do you think Moses bowed down and asked God to forgive the people?
- When have you felt forgiven after doing something wrong?
- Why did the people feel afraid when they saw Moses’s shining face?
- How can we spend time with God each day, like Moses did on the mountain?
Activity Ideas
Shining Face Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and yellow tissue paper. Have each child draw a simple face on the paper, then glue small pieces of yellow tissue paper around the face to show it shining. As the children work, talk about how Moses’s face shone after he spent time with God.
Merciful and Gracious Freeze Game
Play a simple freeze game, where the children move around the room until you call out “Merciful!” and they freeze. When you call out “Forgiven!” they are allowed to move again. Explain that God is always ready to forgive, so even when we are frozen by our mistakes, He lets us start moving again.
Take-Home Forgiveness Jar
Give each child a small jar or cup, and some paper slips. Ask them to write down one thing they are sorry for and put it in the jar. Explain that God forgives us, and then show them how to throw the slips away. Encourage families to do this together during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God reveals His character as merciful, gracious, and faithful, even after His people have failed. Moses’s prayer for the people is an example of intercession, and God’s covenant with Israel reflects His steady faithfulness. The shining face of Moses reminds us that time with God shapes the people we become.
Avoid making the story sound like God is only interested in rules or punishment. Be careful to emphasize God’s kindness and forgiveness, and do not suggest that children must earn God’s love. Keep the focus on who God is and how He responds to His people with mercy.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You are merciful and gracious, and that You are slow to be angry. Thank You for forgiving us when we do wrong and for always keeping Your promises to us. Help us to spend time with You each day so that our lives shine with Your love. Amen.
