This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises and that his people answer by saying yes and doing what he asks. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the activity.
Big Idea
God made a special promise with his people, and they said, “We will do everything God says.” God always keeps his word, and we can trust him.
Memory Verse
Exodus 24:3
Moses came and told the people all the LORD’s words, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, “All the words which the LORD has spoken will we do.”
(WEB)
Have children stand up and hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, as if carrying a heavy book. When they say “All the words the Lord has spoken we will do,” they lift their hands high above their heads and nod once firmly, like a yes.
The Story: Exodus 24 for Kids
God called Moses up a big mountain called Sinai. God wanted Moses to bring Aaron, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy leaders of Israel up the mountain too. But only Moses was allowed to come very close to God. The others had to worship from a distance.
Moses came down and told all the people what God had said. He told them every rule and every instruction God had given. Then everyone answered together in one loud voice, “We will do everything God has said!”
Early the next morning, Moses got up and wrote down all of God’s words in a book. He built an altar at the bottom of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Young men offered animals to God on the altar as a sign of thanks and friendship.
Moses read the book of God’s promises out loud so everyone could hear. The people said again, “We will do all that the Lord has said, and we will obey.” Then Moses sprinkled some blood from the animals on the altar and on the people. He told them, “This is the blood of the promise God has made with you.”
Moses went back up the mountain with Joshua, his helper. Moses climbed into a thick cloud and stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. God’s glory looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain, and the people watched from below.
Read It Together
Exodus 24:7
He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “All that the LORD has spoken will we do, and be obedient.”
(WEB)
Point out that the people did not just say yes once. They heard God’s words, then they promised to obey. Ask children what it means to say yes to God and then keep that promise in everyday things like sharing or helping at home.
Exodus 24:12
The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.”
(WEB)
Show that God invited Moses up the mountain to receive his teaching. Explain that God wants to speak to his people and teach them how to live, and that the Bible is how we hear God’s words today.
Exodus 24:16-18
16 The LORD’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud. 17 The appearance of the LORD’s glory was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18 Moses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
(WEB)
Point to the cloud and the fire. Explain that God’s glory is powerful and holy, and that Moses waited patiently for six days before God called to him. Remind children that God is always faithful even when we have to wait.
Talk About It
- What did the people promise God they would do, and how do you think they felt when they said it?
- Why do you think only Moses was allowed to come close to God on the mountain?
- What is one promise you have made to someone, and how can you keep it this week?
- How do you think Moses felt being on the mountain with God for forty days?
- What is one way God has kept his promises to you or to people you know?
Activity Ideas
Stone Pillar Craft
You will need paper cups or small cardboard tubes, grey paint or markers, and a glue stick. Let each child decorate a cup to look like a stone pillar and write one thing they promise to do for God on it. Line the pillars up on a table and explain that they are a reminder, just like the twelve pillars Moses built for the twelve tribes.
Promise Keeper Game
Have children stand in a line and take turns saying a simple promise like “I will help clean up.” Everyone repeats it loudly together and then acts it out with a movement, such as sweeping the floor. Afterward, let them stand tall and say “Yes, Lord, we will do it!” to finish the game.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, crayons, and a hole punch with yarn. Have each child draw a picture of something they will do this week to obey God, such as being kind to a sibling. Punch a hole in the corner, tie yarn through it, and let them hang the card on their bedroom door as a daily reminder.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Exodus 24 shows that God’s covenant with Israel was established through his word, a shared commitment, and blood sealing the promise. It points forward to the covenant relationship God offers through Jesus, and it reveals a God who is holy and who still draws near to his people. The chapter also shows that the people’s promises were sincere but that they needed God’s faithfulness to hold the relationship together.
Avoid overstating to children that the people never failed to keep their promise, since the wider story of Israel shows repeated struggles to obey. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and invitation rather than on the perfection of the people.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for keeping every promise you make to us. Help us to listen to your words and to say yes to you, just like Moses and the people did. Give us strength to do what you ask each day, even when it is hard. Thank you that you are always faithful to us. Amen.
