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In the Beginning · Lesson 10

God Calls Moses

Exodus 2:1-3:15; Exodus 4:1-17 Old Testament PrincipleObedience

Moses, an old shepherd, kneeling barefoot before a desert bush blazing with fire that does not burn it up.

God saw His suffering people and came down to rescue them, and He called Moses to go, promising, "I will be with you."

We can obey God even when we feel too small for the job, because the great I AM goes with us.

  1. CreationGod made it
  2. FallWe broke it
  3. RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
  4. RestorationJesus makes it new

Memory verse

“God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."”

Exodus 3:14 BSB

Christ Connection · God’s character

At the burning bush God told Moses His name: I AM, the God who always is and never changes. Jesus took that name for Himself: "Before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58). The God who came down to rescue Israel came down in Jesus to rescue us.

John 8:58; Hebrews 13:8; Matthew 1:23

The Big Story · Redemption

God's people were slaves in Egypt, but God remembered His promise to Abraham. He came down to rescue them and called Moses to lead them out, a picture of the greater rescue God would bring through Jesus.

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Teacher guide plus handouts for preschool through 6th grade. Members can read the full lesson and download everything.

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God is with me, so I can obey Him even when it's hard.

Memory verse

“God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.”

Adapted from Exodus 3:14

Start here

Ask, "If your teacher asked you to do something really big, like lead the whole school in a song, what would you say?" Let kids answer. Say, "Today God asks Moses to do something HUGE. Listen for all of Moses' excuses."

Bible story 6 min

God's people were slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh made them work very hard. They cried out to God.

A baby boy was born to a Hebrew mom. She hid him in a basket in the river. The king's daughter found him and kept him. She named him Moses.

When Moses grew up, he tried to help his people in his own way. It went badly, and he had to run away to the desert. For forty years, he took care of sheep.

The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.

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Excuses and answers 8 min

You’ll need: Index cards, Marker

  1. Read Moses' excuses from the index cards one at a time.
  2. Kids shout God's answer. End with everyone saying, "I AM is with me!"
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More lessons on Obedience

The same principle in other Bible stories.

Jesus the King · Lesson 4Jesus Is BaptizedMatthew 3:1-17Jesus came to John to be baptized in the Jordan River, and God the Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," as the Spirit came down like a dove.New TestamentObedienceKings and Prophets · Lesson 1The Walls of JerichoJoshua 6:1-27; Joshua 2:1-21God told Israel to march around Jericho for seven days, and when they trusted and obeyed, God made the walls fall down flat.Old TestamentObedienceKings and Prophets · Lesson 5God Calls Samuel1 Samuel 3:1-21When God's word was rare in Israel, God called the boy Samuel by name, and Samuel learned to say, "Speak, for Your servant is listening."Old TestamentObedience