It is a blessing to teach children the Bible, because their world is so small and they are learning incredible amounts of information daily. The wonder behind the eyes of a child as the Bible is taught can challenge one to approach passages with child-like faith. Like one is reading the story for the first time.
I would like to offer a quick bio on different Bible characters starting with Moses. It is easy for those who have been studying the Bible for a long time to forget that people (especially children) may not know who different characters are in the Bible or why they are important. In addition to the Bio, there will be a small game to follow-up what was taught. The game should likely be done at the very last.
Leader Preparation: Here are a few Biblical references which give good insight to Moses. Time permitting, read over as many as you can. This is not an exhaustive list, but is meant to give interesting insight specifically related to the character of Moses (not including every “special” event that Moses partakes).
- Exodus 2 (Moses’ birth and murder)
- Exodus 3 (Moses meets God in the Burning Bush)
- Exodus 32:7-18 (Intercession to God for the sake of the People)
- Exodus 32:19-35 (Moses takes God’s Holiness seriously)
- Numbers 12 (Moses shows compassion on those whom have sinned greatly)
- Deuteronomy 32 (Moses’ song and his death on Mount Nebo)
Obviously the information and facts about Moses could fill many books. The above are only a few passages of many which speak of Moses, but hopefully they will give good in-dephth understanding for you as a leader before the passages (discussed below) are taught.
Bible Character: Who is Moses?
Bible Passage: Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Target Age Group: all children
Printer Friendly Bible Lesson: [print_link] this lesson plan
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Memory Verse: Exodus 3:14 (NIV)–”God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM…'”
Memory Verse 2: Romans 6:6 (NIV)–For we know that our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin…
Quick Facts of Moses:
[If possible, write the Bible passages on slips of paper to have the children look up the references in their Bibles]
- Moses was born an Israelite, a Levite (Exodus 2:1-2), but raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, who was an Egyptian (Exodus 2:10).
- Moses was a murderer (Exodus 2:12)
- God chose Moses to lead the Israelite people out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3:9-10).
- God used Moses to cast plagues on Egypt (Exodus chapters 7-12) [you may not want to read much of this].
- Moses led God’s People, the Israelites, out of Egypt towards the Red Sea (13:18a).
- God continued to do wonders through Moses (Exodus 14:21).
- Moses was given God’s Commandments (Exodus chapter 20).
- Moses was the humblest man on the earth at the time (Numbers 12:3)
- Moses led God’s people through a wilderness for many years (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).
- Moses left Joshua in charge of God’s people (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).
- Moses could not enter the Land that God promised the people, because Moses sinned against God (Deuteronomy 32:51-52).
- Moses’ death was tragic to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 34:7-8).
- Joshua picked up where Moses left off (Deuteronomy 34:9).
- Moses was a great prophet of God (Deuteronomy 34:10-12).
Gospel Connection
Jesus, like Moses, was sent by God to break people out of slavery. Jesus, however, came to break the slavery of sin. Sin keeps us as slaves. Sin is what we do that is against God’s commands. Romans 6:6 (NIV) says,
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
Jesus came to give his life to break us away from sin. The Bible says that Sin leads to death, but Jesus came that we may have life. Jesus allowed himself to die in our place so that if we believe in him, then we can have eternal life. Death could not keep Jesus. Jesus rose from the grave three days later. To have eternal life, and freedom from sin, we must believe in Jesus; we must also believe in God.
Paul states in Romans 6:23.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Activity
Come up with your own questions that you would like your students to know. They do not have to be difficult questions; the purpose is to learn general facts about Moses. Make it a game. Boys vs. Girls. Split the room up into two groups. Be creative; give points.
Here are a few sample questions:
- True or False: Moses was born an Egyptian?
- How many plagues did God send on Egypt?
- Can you name 4 of the plagues?
- Why couldn’t Moses enter into the Promised Land?
- Was Moses’ death tragic to the Israelites?
- Who was the leader after Moses?
- How many commandments did God give Moses on the Stone Tablets?
- How many can you name?
- True or False: The Israelites were in slavery.
- True or False: Joshua led the Israelites over the Red Sea.
- True or False: Moses murdered an Israelite.
- Where did Moses grow up?
- Bonus Question 1: Jesus came to break us out of the slavery of ________. Answer: sin
- Bonus Question 2: What is the “wages of sin”? Answer: Death
- Bonus Question 3: What must we do to have eternal life in Christ?