This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises and that Moses could talk with God like a friend, so God’s people can always count on His presence. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, and He is always with the people who ask Him to be near. When we want God close, we can trust that He will go with us.
Memory Verse
Exodus 33:14
He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand on their heart and then reach both arms out wide while saying the words. Repeat it three times together, then whisper it and shout it, so the words stay with them.
The Story: Exodus 33 for Kids
God’s people had come a long way out of Egypt. They were walking toward the land God had promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God told Moses that an angel would go ahead of them and that the people would reach the good land flowing with milk and honey.
But God also said something sad. He would not walk in the middle of the people himself, because they had been stubborn and might be destroyed along the way. When the people heard this, they felt sad and scared. Nobody wanted to wear their jewelry anymore, so they took it off and showed how sorry they were.
Moses had a special tent that he set up outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting. Anyone who wanted to seek God could walk out there. When Moses went into the tent, a tall pillar of cloud came down and stood at the door, and God talked with Moses there. Everyone watched from their own tent doors and bowed down to worship.
Moses wanted to be sure God would really go with them. He prayed, “Please show me your way, so that I may know you.” God answered, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Moses said that if God did not come along, they should not go at all. God agreed to do what Moses asked.
Moses then asked to see God’s glory. God told him that he could not see God’s face and still live. Instead, God would hide Moses in a safe place in the rock and cover him with a hand while His glory passed by. Moses could see God’s back, and God kept Moses safe the whole time.
Read It Together
Exodus 33:9-11
9 When Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and spoke with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent, and all the people rose up and worshiped, everyone at their tent door. 11 The LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t depart from the Tent.
(WEB)
Point out that the pillar of cloud came down when Moses went into the tent, and that God spoke with Moses like a man speaks to his friend. Ask the children what it would feel like to have a friend that close.
Exodus 33:19
He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the LORD’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God describes His goodness and His mercy here. Explain that God chooses to be kind and merciful, and that this is part of who He is.
Exodus 33:22-23
22 It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”
(WEB)
Point out how God protected Moses by hiding him in the rock and covering him with His hand. Tell the children that God takes care of His people even when they cannot see everything He is doing.
Talk About It
- What did the people do when they heard that God would not walk with them in the middle of the camp?
- Why do you think Moses wanted God to show him the way before going on?
- What did God say He would do for Moses when Moses asked Him to be near?
- How can you tell that God is close to you, even when you cannot see Him?
- What is one way you could ask God to be with you this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Pillar of Cloud
Give each child a sheet of paper, a pencil, crayons, and a cotton ball. Have them draw a tent with a door, then glue the cotton ball above it as the pillar of cloud. Ask them to write or draw one thing they would ask God to show them.
Follow the Leader Walk
Set up a short path with chairs or tape marks in a room. One child acts as Moses and leads the others while the rest follow closely behind, staying near the leader. Stop now and then and let the group whisper, “God is with us,” before going on.
Take-Home Promise Card
Cut index cards in half and give each child one. Have them write “God is with me” on the front and draw a simple rock on the back. Encourage them to keep the card by their bed or in a backpack and read it aloud at bedtime during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Moses’s closeness with God came from his persistent prayer, which asked God to make His way known and to keep His presence with the people. The passage also shows that God’s faithfulness is rooted in His own character, and that His mercy and grace are His choice.
Be careful not to overstate the idea that children can see God or fully understand His glory. The text says God’s face cannot be seen, so keep the focus on God’s nearness and care rather than on any picture of His appearance.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for keeping your promises and for being near to us. Help us to trust that you go with us wherever we go, and help us to ask you for your help each day. Thank you that you care for us even when we cannot see you. Amen.
