This lesson teaches children that God rescued the Israelites from Pharaoh’s army by parting the sea, so they can trust Him when they feel trapped. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises and rescues His people, even when they feel trapped and afraid. When we are scared, we can stand still and trust Him to fight for us.
Memory Verse
Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall be still.”
(WEB)
Put one hand flat on your chest, then slowly move it out in front of you like a sea opening. Say the words together three times while your hands show the sea parting.
The Story: Exodus 14 for Kids
God’s people, the Israelites, had left Egypt after many years of hard work for Pharaoh. God led them with a tall pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. Moses was their leader, and God told him where to camp by the sea.
When Pharaoh heard the people had gone, he changed his mind. He gathered his best chariots and his army and chased after them. The Israelites looked back and saw the Egyptians coming closer and closer. They were very scared and cried out to God.
The people said to Moses, “Why did you bring us here to die in the desert? Leave us alone, and we will serve the Egyptians!” Moses answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still and see what the LORD will do for you today.” Moses trusted God, even though the situation looked hopeless.
God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea. A strong wind blew all night and pushed the water back, and the sea became dry ground. The Israelites walked through the middle of the sea with walls of water on their right and their left.
The Egyptians followed them into the sea, but God made their chariot wheels stick. When Moses stretched his hand out again, the water came rushing back and covered the Egyptian army. God saved His people that day, and they saw the Egyptians no more.
Read It Together
Exodus 14:13-14
13 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall be still.”
(WEB)
Point out that Moses told the people to stand still and not be afraid, because God would fight for them. Ask the children what it means to “stand still” when we feel scared.
Exodus 14:21-22
21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
(WEB)
Show the children how God used a strong wind to make dry ground in the middle of the sea. Explain that nothing is too big for God to do.
Exodus 14:30-31
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great work which the LORD did to the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD, and in his servant Moses.
(WEB)
Point out that God saved the Israelites that day, and the people believed in Him and trusted Moses. Help the children see that rescue leads to trust.
Talk About It
- How do you think the Israelites felt when they saw the Egyptian army coming toward them?
- What did Moses tell the people to do when they were afraid, and why do you think he said that?
- What made the sea move out of the way, and who was really in charge of it?
- What is something that makes you feel trapped, like the Israelites felt at the sea?
- How can you remember that God is with you when you are scared?
Activity Ideas
Parting Sea Craft
You will need a sheet of blue construction paper, scissors, glue, and cotton balls or white paper. Have children cut two wall shapes from the white paper and glue them on either side of a dry path drawn in the middle of the blue paper. Let them add a small stick figure walking through the path while they retell the story.
Stand Still Game
Play a freeze game where children walk around the room like the Israelites moving forward. When you call out “Stand still!”, they must freeze and listen for your next instruction. Use this to remind them that God told the people to stand still and trust Him.
Take-Home Memory Card
Cut index cards in half and write the memory verse on one side with a simple sea drawing on the other. Let each child decorate their card with markers or stickers. Encourage them to keep it by their bed and act out the sea opening each night.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s rescue often comes at the moment when human help seems impossible. The Israelites could see no way out, yet God acted in a way they could not have planned. It also shows that God’s purposes include His people knowing who He is, as the text says the Egyptians and Israel both saw His power.
Be careful not to overstate the details to children, such as claiming exactly how the water stood or suggesting that every hard situation will end in a visible miracle. Focus instead on God’s faithfulness and the call to trust Him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for keeping Your promises and rescuing Your people. When we feel scared or trapped, help us stand still and trust You to fight for us. Thank You that You are always with us. Amen.
