Week of December 5 - God Called Moses

Moses’ life was in danger from the moment he was born. He was an Israelite—a descendant of Israel (Jacob)—living in Egypt after Jacob’s family had moved there, seeking food during a famine.

Four hundred years later, this family had grown and multiplied. Moses’ parents, Amran and Jochebed, likely lived in fear of the pharaoh who ruled Egypt and took drastic measures to oppress the Israelites. Could God’s promises for His people stand against such opposition?

Jochebed hid her baby boy as long as she could—about three months—before she put him in a basket among the reeds of the river. She couldn’t have known that Pharaoh’s daughter would find him and want to raise him as her own, or that the princess would let Jochebed care for him until he was old enough to be raised as an Egyptian prince. She couldn’t have known that her son would grow up to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. But God knew. All along, God had a plan for Moses and His people.
God appeared to Moses years later. Moses was a shepherd then, having grown up in Egypt’s royal household only to flee as a murderer to Midian. There, Moses started a family and worked as a shepherd, perhaps never imagining he would see Egypt again.

But one night, God drew a curious Moses to Himself and spoke through a burning bush. You see, God remembered the promise He made to Eve in Genesis 3. He remembered His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12, which He repeated to Isaac and Jacob. So many years had passed, but God remembered His promises.

Moses was inadequate for the task of rescuing the Israelites, but God promised His power and presence. So in the early chapters of Exodus, we see Moses return to Egypt to confront Pharaoh—acting as a mediator between the Israelites and their burdensome king.

As you consider Moses’ calling, look forward to an even greater calling and rescue—the call of Jesus to come to earth to save God’s people from their sin. Jesus is greater than Moses. Moses delivered God’s people from physical captivity; Jesus delivers God’s people from captivity to sin and death.
Family Talking points

CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Younger Preschool: God chose Moses to save God’s people from the king of Egypt. God planned and sent Jesus to earth to save people from sin.
  • Older Preschool: God saved Moses’ life so Moses could grow up and save God’s people from the Egyptian pharaoh. God planned for His Son, Jesus, to save people in an even better way. God sent Jesus to earth, and Jesus gave up His life to save us from our sin.
  • Kids: God saved Moses’ life and called him to rescue God’s people from slavery. The calling of Moses points to a greater calling and rescue—the call of Jesus to come to earth to save God’s people. Jesus gave up His life to save us from slavery to sin.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

  • Younger Preschool: Does God keep His promises? Yes, God always keeps His promises.
  • Older Preschool: Does God keep His promises? Yes, God always keeps His promises.
  • Kids: Does God keep His promises? Yes, God always keeps His promises because He is faithful.

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

  • Younger Preschool: God keeps His promises. — Numbers 23:19
  • Older Preschool: God is not a man. He will not lie…What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he keeps. — Numbers 23:19
  • Kids: God is not a man. He will not lie. God is not a human being. He does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he keeps. — Numbers 23:19
Family Prayer Time
MORNINGS:
Ask God to help you to be obedient to whatever He calls you to do. Why could Moses trust God and obey the mission He gave him? How can we trust God when He calls us to be a part of His mission?
EVENINGS:
Thank God for loving us enough to speak to us. Ask God for help to listen when He speaks through His Word, through other believers, and through the Holy Spirit. How does God’s Word call us to be a part of His mission?
Family ACTIVITY IDEAS
FOR FUN:
Challenge a family member to attempt walking through the house blindfolded. While he walks, ask another family member to use her voice to guide the blindfolded family member through the house. Let every family member take a turn in each role. After the activity, discuss how God called Moses and promised to be with him wherever he went.
Supplies: blindfold
TO SERVE:
Volunteer to rake leaves for neighbors or church members who are unable to do the work themselves. As your family serves together, discuss how God used Moses to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Remind kids that helping others do what they cannot do for themselves is a great reminder of how Jesus came to rescue us from sin—something we could never do for ourselves.
LAST WEEK: God Controls Everything (Job)
NEXT WEEK: God Delivered His People (Exodus 5-12)
The Gospel Project is a weekly Bible study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible—God’s plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. Your child can access free Gospel Project learning games and activities in the LifeWay Kids app reader available in the iTunes or Google Play stores.