J4K

LET’s Talk

Objective:
You will use this section to set the context of today’s lesson.

Things Needed: A big plain sheet/ chart paper pasted on a wall.

Method:

Ask the kids to come to the stage one after the other or in smaller groups and write/ draw the evils/ bad things happening around them (Ex. wars, poverty, crime, etc.) Then ask them these two questions.

• Do you want to help those affected by these evils?
• What will you do to help those who are affected by these evils?

Then share this opener with them:

In the previous session we heard about how God made an impossible way for the Israelites through Moses. Today I am going to share about the beginnings of Moses. Moses had a heart that wanted to help wronged people. He even made plans but he made a huge mistake. Today we are going to learn from his mistake and find out how best we can help others around us.

Are you ready ? Let’s start!

Memory verse

Teach the following memory verse to the kids using hand movements/ any activity of you choice.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55: 9]

Bible Event

Bible Portion: Exodus 2:11-4:17
Event Outline:

Moses was adopted by the Egyptian princess. He grew up in the palace and was trained in the best Egyptian school by the best teachers. He was highly skilled. He had all the Egyptian luxury and comfort to enjoy. Still, something bothered him. The Egyptians treated the Israelites very unfairly and kept them as slaves. This was very sad for Moses. As he was a prince, he thought that somehow he could help them and protect them from the Egyptians. He planned. He had a big dream to help the poor Israelites. Who here has a big dream of helping others? (Let the children answer)

When he was 40 years old, he went out to his people, the Israelites, to find ways to help them. He was quite confident in his dream and the plan he had charted out for his life. But there was one problem. He did it his way instead of talking to God. What do you think happened? He committed a huge mistake. He killed an Egyptian who was giving a hard time to an Israelite when no one saw him (or so he thought). In his mind, he had become the superhero to save the Israelites. He was convinced that the Israelites would love and support him. But what happened was quite the opposite. The Israelites rejected him as a leader. The news about him killing the Egyptian reached the king. The king was so angry with him for being disloyal after all that he had done for him. He sought to kill him. Moses fled to the desert to save his life.

40 years passed. Nothing happened. The honorable prince became a desert shepherd for 40 years due to his mistake. Do you see what would happen if you didn’t depend on God for your life plan?

But God knew Moses’ heart. God honors the desire to do good to people. So, God met Moses in the wilderness and asked him to go back to Egypt and save the Israelites from the Egyptians. Moses was afraid. Even after 40 years, he has not forgotten the memories of rejection and pain. But God encouraged Moses to try a second time. This time he asked him to make plans depending on God. Do you think Moses won? Yes! Moses became one of the greatest leaders in history. He freed 6 lakh people from slavery. As we heard in the last session – through him God performed mighty miracles like the parting of the Red Sea. His dreams of saving the Israelites came true with God’s help.

For older kids:
Do you have big plans to help your family, friends or community? God loves such people. He also wants to help you with that. Will you plan depending on him?

For younger kids:
Do you want to do good for those around you? Tell that to Jesus. He will help you help others.

GAme TIME

Materials Required: Bun/ doughnut tied at a height not reachable by the kids even if they jump, newspaper, small eraser, small piece of ribbon.

Method:

• Divide the class into a few groups.
• Each group must make plans to get the doughnut that is hanging high.
• The team that is able to reach and get the bun/ doughnut first is the winner.
• Rules:
  • The team can send only one person as their representative for this task.
  • But they can use any one of these objects to help the task – a newspaper/ eraser/ ribbon.
• When the planning time is over, ask each team to send their representatives to try fetching the bun.
• None of the teams will be able to get the bun/ doughnut no matter how much they plan or try.
• Remind today’s message – No matter how much you plan, God’s plan is way higher than yours. It is impossible to be completely successful by relying on our plans.