In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises and protects the people who trust Him, even when the powerful ruler of Egypt refuses to listen. This lesson is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God can protect His people, and He always keeps His word. Even when people say no, God is still in charge of everything.
Memory Verse
Exodus 9:4
The LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt; and nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.”’”
(WEB)
Stand up tall and put your hands on your heart. Then slowly stretch your arms out to the sides, like a shield, to show how God keeps His people safe. Say the verse together while you move.
The Story: Exodus 9 for Kids
God sent Moses to talk to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Moses had a message from God. The message was simple: “Let my people go so they can worship me.” Pharaoh did not want to let the people leave, so he said no. God was not happy about this, and He told Moses what would happen next.
God told Moses that a terrible sickness would fall on the animals of the Egyptians. Horses, camels, donkeys, cows, and sheep would get very sick. But God made a promise. He said the animals of the Israelites would be safe. God keeps His promises, so this is exactly what happened. The next day, all the Egyptian animals died, but not one animal of the Israelites died.
Pharaoh sent someone to check. The check showed that the Israelite animals were still alive. But Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn. He still refused to let God’s people go. Pharaoh was like a child who will not say sorry, even when everyone can see he is wrong.
Then God sent a painful sore called boils. Moses threw ashes into the air, and dust covered the whole land. The Egyptians and their animals got sores. Even the magicians could not stand in front of Moses because they were sick too.
God sent a huge storm with hail, thunder, and lightning. The hail fell on everything in the fields that belonged to the Egyptians. But in the land of Goshen, where God’s people lived, there was no hail at all. Pharaoh said, “I have sinned. Pray to the LORD, and I will let you go.” Moses prayed, and the storm stopped. Pharaoh changed his mind again and went back to saying no.
Read It Together
Exodus 9:16
But indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth…
(WEB)
Point out that God told Pharaoh He had let him stay alive so people everywhere would know God’s power. Explain that God was in control even when Pharaoh was making bad choices.
Exodus 9:26
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.
(WEB)
Show the children that God protected His people in the land of Goshen. Ask them to notice that God can keep His people safe in the middle of trouble.
Exodus 9:29
Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands to the LORD. The thunders shall cease, and there will not be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.
(WEB)
Explain that Moses told Pharaoh the earth belongs to the LORD. Help the children see that God is the owner of everything, including the sky, the land, and the storms.
Talk About It
- What did God promise the Israelite animals, and what happened to them?
- Why do you think Pharaoh kept saying no to God, even after he saw the hail?
- Where did God keep His people safe during the storm, and what does that tell you about Him?
- How can you show that you trust God when something scary happens?
- What is one thing you learned about God from this story that you want to remember this week?
Activity Ideas
Shield Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large shield on the paper and cut it out. On one side, they can draw a picture of God protecting them. On the other side, they can write or draw the words “God keeps His promises.” Let them hold their shields during prayer time.
Hail Game
You will need a bag of cotton balls or small paper balls. Divide the children into two groups, one group as “Egypt” and one as “Goshen.” The Egypt group throws the balls into the air toward the Goshen group. The Goshen group must stay inside a marked safe zone, like a chair circle or taped square. Explain that God kept His people safe, so the Goshen group should stay safe inside the zone.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small envelope for each child. Write “God keeps His promises” on the front of each card. Let the children decorate the card with stickers or drawings. Send the card home in the envelope so they can place it on their bedside table and read it each night before sleep.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God is powerful and in control over all creation. He does not need permission from kings or rulers to keep His word. Adults can see that God protects His people in real ways, even when the wider world is full of resistance and hardness of heart. The chapter also reminds us that God’s patience with people who refuse Him is part of His larger plan.
Avoid suggesting to children that God punishes people in a simple, direct way every time something bad happens. The story does describe God’s judgment on Pharaoh, but it does not give children a formula for what happens to everyone who disobeys. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and protection of His people.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Help us trust You when things feel scary, and help us remember that You are always in control. Keep us safe, and help us love and follow You every day. Amen.
