In this lesson, children learn that God rescued the Israelites at the Red Sea and that they can trust him when they feel trapped. This lesson for kids ages 5 to 11 takes about 20 to 30 minutes and works well with a short story, one memory verse, and a simple craft or game.
Big Idea
God keeps his promises, and when we feel trapped and scared, we can trust him to make a way for us. He is always stronger than the things that frighten us.
Memory Verse
Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall be still.”
(WEB)
Have the children stand still with their arms crossed over their chests, like they are being quiet and waiting. Then have them slowly open their arms wide when they say “the LORD will fight for you,” showing that God is the one who acts for us.
The Story: Exodus 14 for Kids
God’s people, the Israelites, had left Egypt after many years of hard work as slaves. God led them with a tall cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. God told Moses to lead the people to a place near the sea, and the people set up camp there.
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, changed his mind. He said, “What have we done? We let the Israelites go, and now we have no workers!” So he gathered his best chariots and his army and chased after the Israelites. When the people saw the Egyptians coming, they were very scared. They cried out to God and said to Moses, “Did you bring us out here to die?”
Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still and watch what the LORD will do for you today.” God told Moses to lift up his stick and stretch his hand over the sea. Then God caused a strong wind to blow all night, and the water split apart. The Israelites walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.
The Egyptians chased them into the sea. But God made the chariot wheels get stuck, and the Egyptians shouted, “Let’s run away from Israel, because the LORD is fighting for them!” When Moses stretched his hand out again, the water came back together and covered the Egyptian army. Not one of them was left.
That day, God saved his people. The Israelites saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore, and they trusted God and Moses. They knew that God had kept them safe.
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 not to be afraid, even though they could see the Egyptians coming. Ask the children what they do when they feel scared, and remind them that God asks us to stand still and trust him.
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 the wind and the water to make a path where there was no path before. Let them describe what they imagine the walls of water looked like on each side of the people.
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 the people saw what God did and then they believed in him. Explain that seeing God’s help in our lives can help us trust him more.
Talk About It
- What did the Israelites feel when they saw the Egyptians chasing them, and what would you have felt?
- Why do you think the people complained to Moses, even after God had brought them out of Egypt?
- What did Moses tell the people to do when they were scared, and how can you do that when you feel afraid?
- What helped the Israelites walk safely through the sea, and who did that work?
- How can you remember that God has helped you before when you face a hard day?
Activity Ideas
Red Sea Walls Craft
You will need two sheets of blue construction paper, scissors, glue, and some cotton balls or torn white paper. Cut a path down the middle of one sheet of blue paper, then glue the cotton balls or torn white paper along each side to show the walls of water. Let the children add a small paper figure walking on the dry path to show the Israelites trusting God.
Stand Still Game
Play a round of freeze tag or a simple “Red Light, Green Light” game where the children move forward on green and freeze on red. When you call “Stand still,” they must freeze and stay silent for a few seconds, just like Moses told the people. Afterward, say the memory verse together, and let the children stand still while they listen.
Trust Reminder Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch with a piece of yarn. Have each child write or draw one thing that scares them on one side of the card, and write “The LORD will fight for you” on the other side. Punch a hole in the corner and tie the yarn so they can hang it on their bedroom door or keep it in their pocket as a reminder to trust God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful to save his people even when they are fearful and do not understand his plan. The Israelites grumbled and doubted, yet God still acted for them in a way only he could. The passage reminds us that deliverance comes from God, not from our own strength.
When teaching children, avoid overstating that God will always rescue us from every danger in the same dramatic way. Instead, focus on the truth that God is faithful and worthy of trust, even when his help looks different from what we expect.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you are stronger than anything that scares us. Help us to stand still and trust you when we feel trapped, just like the Israelites at the Red Sea. Remind us that you fight for us and keep your promises. Amen.
