In this lesson, children learn that God is in charge and that He keeps His promises, even when a king refuses to listen. Exodus 8 tells how God sent frogs, gnats, and flies to Egypt because Pharaoh would not let God’s people go. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is stronger than anyone who says no to Him, and He always keeps His word.
Memory Verse
Exodus 8:10
He said, “Tomorrow.” He said, “Be it according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and stretch their arms out wide, like Moses stretching out his hand. Then they can slowly bring their arms back down while saying the verse together, two words at a time.
The Story: Exodus 8 for Kids
God had a plan to set His people free from Egypt. He sent Moses to the king, whose name was Pharaoh, and told him to let God’s people go into the wilderness to worship Him. Pharaoh said no. God is not a God who gives up, so He acted.
God told Moses to tell Aaron to stretch out his stick over the rivers. Frogs came up out of the water and covered the whole land of Egypt. They were in the houses, in the beds, and even in the ovens. Pharaoh was miserable, so he called for Moses and said, “Pray to your God and take the frogs away, and I will let your people go.”
Moses prayed to God, and God did what Moses asked. All the frogs died, and the people gathered them into piles, and the land smelled bad. But when Pharaoh saw that the frogs were gone, he changed his mind again and would not keep his promise. He hardened his heart and refused to listen.
Next, God sent lice over the whole land. Then God sent swarms of flies into the houses of the Egyptians. But God made a difference. He said He would keep the flies out of the land of Goshen, where His people lived. The flies did not go there, so the people in Goshen were safe.
Pharaoh told Moses he could go and worship, but only nearby. Moses said they had to go three days into the wilderness. Moses prayed again, and God took the flies away from Pharaoh and his people. Yet Pharaoh broke his word once more and did not let the people go.
Read It Together
Exodus 8:1-2
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, “This is what the LORD says, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 If you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your borders with frogs…
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first and told Moses exactly what to say to Pharaoh. Ask the children to notice that God’s words come before anything happens. Explain that God tells His people what to do and then guides them.
Exodus 8:22
I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am the LORD on the earth.
(WEB)
Show the children that God protected His people in Goshen from the flies. Explain that God wanted everyone to know that He is the Lord over the whole earth. Remind them that God can keep His people safe even in the middle of trouble.
Exodus 8:31
The LORD did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. There remained not one.
(WEB)
Point to the words where God did exactly what Moses asked. Tell the children that God listens to prayer and answers it in His own way. Help them see that God’s power is never weaker than the problem in front of them.
Talk About It
- What did Pharaoh say that he would do, and what did he actually do?
- How do you think Moses felt when he asked God to take the frogs away?
- Why do you think God protected the people in Goshen from the flies?
- What is one thing you can pray to God about this week?
- How can you show that you trust God when people say no to Him?
Activity Ideas
Frog Craft
You will need paper plates, green paint or crayons, glue, and googly eyes. Have each child paint or color a paper plate green, then fold it in half to make a frog shape. Glue on two eyes and let the children draw a smile. As they make their frogs, talk about how God sent frogs to show Pharaoh that God is in charge.
Pharaoh Says No Game
Choose one child to be Pharaoh and stand at the front of the room. The other children line up and try to reach the other side while Pharaoh tries to stop them by shouting “No!” Each time someone is stopped, they must sit down. Afterward, explain that God’s plan still went forward even when Pharaoh said no.
Take-Home Memory Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch with yarn. Have each child write the memory verse on one side of the card and draw a stick or a river on the other. Punch a hole at the top and tie the yarn so they can hang it on their bedroom door or backpack. Encourage them to say the verse each morning.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is fully sovereign over creation and over human rulers. Pharaoh’s stubbornness does not limit God’s purposes, and God’s care for His people is shown clearly through the protection given to Goshen. The chapter also reveals God’s desire that people know He is the Lord.
When teaching children, avoid making the plagues sound fun or the Egyptians sound like the only bad people in the story. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His care for His people, rather than on the suffering of the Egyptians.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, thank You that You are stronger than anyone who says no to You. Help us trust You when things feel hard, and help us remember that You always keep Your promises. Thank You for hearing our prayers and for keeping us safe. Amen.
