Week of December 19 - God Parted the Red Sea

God’s people were finally free. After 430 years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites—now numbering 600,000 men plus their families—were on their way out with Moses as their leader. God had promised to give them a new land: “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:17).

What did sudden freedom feel like? Did the Israelites feel strong and courageous? Did they feel nervous and vulnerable? Regardless of their thoughts and emotions, one thing was certain: God was with them.

We see in the story of Exodus 13–15 that God directed His people, fought for His people, and ultimately delivered His people.

First, God directed His people. We see this clearly in God’s choice of the route for the Israelites. God knew if the Israelites took the road into the land of the Philistines, they would face war and decide to go back to Egypt. So God led them toward the Red Sea. He knew Pharaoh would pursue them.
Would Pharaoh stop God’s plans? No. On the contrary, the threat of Pharaoh and his army would bring God glory and cause the Egyptians to know that the God of the Israelites is the Lord.

The Egyptians pursued the Israelites, and God fought for His people. Imagine the Israelites’ fear in seeing their oppressors approaching. They were terrified! First, they cried out to God for help. Then they turned to Moses with accusations. Had Moses brought them there to die? Moses was confident: “Don’t be afraid. … The LORD will fight for you” (Ex. 14:13-14).

And He did. God parted the waves of the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through. When the Egyptians followed, God threw them into confusion and let the waters crash back over them.

God delivered His people. The Israelites saw God’s power and did what Pharaoh and the Egyptians refused to do: They feared the Lord. Exodus 15 records their song to God, reflecting on His power and faithful love for His people.

In an even greater display of His power and faithful love, God provided His Son, Jesus. Jesus is greater than Moses.

Through faith in Jesus, God delivers us from 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 set His people free from the Egyptians. God sets us free from sin through His Son, Jesus.
  • Older Preschool: Moses led God’s people out of Egypt, and God made the way to freedom across the Red Sea. Moses was a great leader, but the Bible says Jesus is greater. God gives us freedom from sin through His Son, Jesus.
  • Kids: Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, and God provided a way for them to escape through the Red Sea. The Bible says that Jesus is greater than Moses. (Hebrews 3:3) People who trust in Jesus escape the penalty of sin and have eternal life.

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 remind you of His great power when you pray. Ask Him to give you boldness when you pray and confidence that He can do anything He chooses. Is there any limit to God’s power? How does God’s power give us confidence to ask Him for what we need?
EVENINGS:
Praise God for the ways you saw His glory in creation today. Thinking of how the large sky reminds us of God’s greatness. The sun’s brightness reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, and the evergreen trees remind us that we can have eternal life through Jesus.
Family ACTIVITY IDEAS
FOR FUN:
Fill a large bowl with water. Use cups or spoons to scoop water from the bowl. Allow your kids to use their hands to attempt to “hold back” the water as it falls into the bowl. Discuss God’s power over creation and how He is the only one who can hold back the waters as He did for the Israelites.
Supplies: large bowl, cups or spoons
TO SERVE:
Visit a lake or river to collect trash and debris from the shoreline. Dispose of the trash in appropriate bags or bins. As you stand in front of the body of water, talk with your kids about how God parted the waters of the Red Sea. Imagine what it would’ve been like to see this miracle and how it might have increased the Israelites’ faith in God.
Supplies: trash bags, gloves
LAST WEEK: God Delivered His People (Exodus 5-12)
NEXT WEEK: God Keeps His Promises (Isaiah 9)
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.