This lesson teaches children that God saw His people in trouble, heard their cry, and chose Moses to help bring them out of Egypt. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God sees us, hears us, and keeps His promises, even when the job seems too big for us to do alone.
Memory Verse
Exodus 3:7
The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
(WEB)
Cup your hands together like you are holding something precious, then lift them up toward the sky each time you say the verse. Do this three times together, so your hands remember God’s care for His people.
The Story: Exodus 3 for Kids
One day Moses was taking care of his father-in-law’s sheep in the wilderness. He led them far away, all the way to a mountain called Horeb, which was God’s special mountain. Moses was a shepherd then, not a prince, and he probably never expected anything big to happen that day.
Suddenly Moses saw a bush on fire. But the bush did not burn up! Moses walked closer to see this strange and wonderful sight. When he came near, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” Moses answered, “Here I am.”
God told Moses to take off his sandals, because the ground where he stood was holy. Then God said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses was so afraid that he covered his face. God wanted Moses to know that He was near and that He cared deeply about His people in Egypt.
God said, “I have seen how my people are suffering, and I have heard them crying out. I know all about their sorrows, and I am going to rescue them.” God had a plan to lead them to a good land, a land full of milk and honey. Then He said something that surprised Moses: “Come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring my people out of Egypt.”
Moses was worried. He asked, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” God answered, “I will be with you.” Moses also asked God for His name, and God said, “I AM WHO I AM.” God was telling Moses that He is always present and always faithful. God had not forgotten His people, and He would not leave Moses alone.
Read It Together
Exodus 3:2
The LORD’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
(WEB)
Point out that the bush was on fire but was not burned up. Ask the children what it was like to see something so unusual, and explain that God often shows His power in ways that surprise us.
Exodus 3:12
He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
(WEB)
Help the children notice the words “Certainly I will be with you.” Tell them that God made this promise to Moses, and that He makes the same promise to us when we feel small or unsure.
Exodus 3:17
And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’
(WEB)
Show the children how God gave Moses a clear promise about where His people would go. Explain that God’s promises are always kept, even when it takes a long time to see them come true.
Talk About It
- What did Moses see when he came close to the bush, and how do you think he felt?
- Why do you think God told Moses to take off his sandals?
- What did God say He had seen and heard about His people in Egypt?
- How did Moses feel about being sent to Pharaoh, and what did God promise him?
- When have you felt small like Moses, and how can God help you feel brave?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Burning Bush
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a little red, orange, and yellow tissue paper. Have each child draw a green bush in the middle of the paper, then glue small pieces of tissue paper on top to look like flames. Ask them to draw a small shepherd nearby, and talk about how God was with Moses in the wilderness.
Sandals Off, Holy Ground
Ask the children to sit in a circle with their shoes off, and explain that this is a holy moment just like the one Moses had. Play a simple game where one child stands in the middle as Moses, and the others take turns saying “God is with you.” Keep it calm and quiet, so the children feel the seriousness of God’s presence.
God Sees Me Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker for each child. Have each child write or draw one thing they are worried about on the card, then turn it over and write “God sees me and hears me.” Encourage them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it each morning, like on the bathroom mirror or by their bed.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God is personally involved in the suffering of His people. He does not wait at a distance but sees, hears, and acts, and He calls ordinary people like Moses to take part in His work. Moses’ reluctance is honest, and God answers his questions patiently, which is an encouraging picture for anyone who feels unqualified.
With children, avoid overstating how God speaks today or suggesting that every child will have a dramatic experience like Moses did. Keep the focus on the truth that God sees, hears, and keeps His word, and let the children draw their own conclusions about how that applies to their lives.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You see us and hear us when we are scared or sad. Help us remember that You are always with us, just like You were with Moses. Give us courage to trust You even when things feel too hard for us. Amen.
