This lesson teaches children that God is in charge even when bad things seem to be happening, and that He keeps His promises. It is best for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
God is always in control, and He keeps His promises, even when the people around us do not listen to Him.
Memory Verse
Exodus 10:2
And that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son’s son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am the LORD.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like they are giving something to someone. Then have them slowly turn their hands over as they say the verse together, showing that God’s signs and wonders are things we can pass on to the next generation.
The Story: Exodus 10 for Kids
God’s people, the Israelites, were still slaves in the land of Egypt. Their king was called Pharaoh, and he would not let them leave. God had already sent many signs to show Pharaoh who was really in charge, but Pharaoh’s heart stayed hard and he kept saying no.
God told Moses to go back to Pharaoh one more time. Moses and his brother Aaron walked into the palace and gave the message from God. They said, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go.” Pharaoh still said no.
So God sent a huge swarm of locusts, which are big hopping insects that eat plants. They covered the whole land and ate every green thing that was left after the hail. Pharaoh was scared, and he quickly called Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God.” He asked them to pray and take the locusts away.
Moses prayed, and God sent a strong wind that carried every locust into the Red Sea. Not one was left in Egypt. But Pharaoh changed his mind again and would not let the people go. He would not listen to God.
Then God sent a thick darkness over the land for three days. People could not see one another, but the Israelite homes had light. Pharaoh told Moses to leave with the people but to leave their animals behind. Moses said, “Our animals must go with us.” Pharaoh got angry and told Moses never to come back.
Read It Together
Exodus 10:1
The LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs among them…
(WEB)
Point out that God told Moses He had hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that His power would be seen. Explain to children that God knew what would happen and was still in control of the whole story, not just the part they can see.
Exodus 10:12-13
12 The LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.” 13 Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day, and all night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
(WEB)
Show how God gave Moses a clear instruction and Moses obeyed right away. Point out that Moses stretched out his rod just as God said, which teaches children that following God’s direction matters even when we cannot see the whole plan.
Exodus 10:21-23
21 The LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.” 22 Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 They didn’t see one another, and nobody rose from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
(WEB)
Point out that the darkness covered Egypt, but the Israelites had light in their homes. Explain that God shows His care for His people in the middle of hard times, and that He can protect His own when others are in trouble.
Talk About It
- What did Pharaoh keep doing, even after God sent the signs, and why do you think it was hard for him to change?
- How did Moses show that he trusted God when he went back to Pharaoh again and again?
- What is something God has done in your life that shows He is in control?
- Why do you think God kept sending signs to Pharaoh instead of just leaving him alone?
- What is one way you can listen to God’s voice when it is hard to do what He asks?
Activity Ideas
Locust Paper Craft
You will need green construction paper, scissors, glue, and a marker. Have each child cut out a simple locust shape from the green paper, adding legs and antennae with the marker. Glue the locusts onto a large sheet of paper to make a swarm that covers the whole page, then talk about how God’s power is greater than anything in the land.
Wind and Locust Relay
You will need an open space, a few light paper balls or cotton balls, and a fan or a set of straws. Divide the children into two teams and have them race to blow the paper balls across the floor to the other side, like the strong west wind that blew the locusts away. Cheer for the team that works together and talk about how the wind carried away the locusts only because God sent it.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a small piece of tape or a clip. Have each child write or draw one thing they will trust God to be in charge of this week. Encourage them to tape the card to their bedroom door or mirror so they see it each day and remember that God is in control.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is sovereign over history, even when human leaders resist His will. The plagues are not random disasters but a demonstration of God’s power and His commitment to His promise to free His people. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is a difficult theme, and it is best understood as God’s judgment that confirms a choice Pharaoh had already made, which is why Pharaoh keeps changing his mind.
When teaching children, avoid making the locusts or the darkness sound like a fun story to enjoy, and do not suggest that God causes evil just to show off. Instead, focus on Moses’s faithfulness and God’s care for His people in the light of their homes. Keep the emphasis on trusting God, not on fear of His punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You are always in control, even when things look very dark. Help us to trust You when it is hard, and help us listen to You the way Moses did. Keep us safe in Your care, and help us remember that You keep Your promises. Amen.
