Is the LORD Among Us? Water from the Rock
Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:15-16; 1 Corinthians 10:4 Old Testament PrincipleTrust
God's people traveled through the desert to a place called Rephidim, but there was no water. Instead of asking God for help, they argued with Moses and said, "Is the LORD among us or not?" Moses cried out to God. God told him to take his staff and some of the leaders to a rock at Horeb. God said, "I will stand there before you on the rock." Moses struck the rock, and water gushed out for everyone. God was with His people all along. Paul later said, "That rock was Christ." We can trust God with every need.
Trust means depending on God and bringing our needs to Him instead of grumbling or worrying, because He is always with us and keeps His promises.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:4 BSB
Christ Connection · Picture
Paul says the rock that gave Israel water "was Christ." Jesus was struck on the cross, and from Him flows living water. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."
1 Corinthians 10:1-4; John 7:37-38; John 4:13-14
The Big Story · Redemption
God rescued His people from Egypt and walked with them through the desert. The rock that was struck and gave water points to Jesus, struck on the cross to give living water to everyone who comes to Him.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: Empty or full?
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Rocks that drink
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Grumble or pray?
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
God cares for me. I trust Him!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Splash from the rock, Color the water
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
God's people were in the desert, and there was no water. Instead of asking God for help, they got angry at Moses and asked, "Is the LORD with us or not?" Moses cried out to God. God told Moses to take his staff to a big rock. God said, "I will stand there before you on the rock." Moses hit the rock, and water poured out for everyone to drink. God was with His people the whole time. We can trust God with all we need.
Memory verse
“Trust in the LORD forever, because the LORD is the Rock.”
Adapted from Isaiah 26:4
Start here
Ask, "What do you do when you really need something and you don't have it?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today God's people needed water. Let's see what they did, and what God did."
Bible story 6 min
God had saved His people from Egypt. He fed them bread from heaven every day. Now they walked on to a new camp. But there was no water.
The sun was hot. The kids were thirsty. The goats and sheep were thirsty. Every jar was dry.
The people did not ask God for help. They got mad at Moses. "Give us water! Why did you bring us out here? Is God with us or not?"
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: An empty water bottle and a full one, A large rock or a gray pillow
- Choose Moses, the voice of God, two grumblers and a few elders. Everyone else is the people.
- Act out the skit. Moses taps the "rock" with a pretend staff.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
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3rd – 4th grade
God led His people to a camp in the desert where there was no water. Instead of trusting God, who had already fed them with manna, they quarreled with Moses and asked, "Is the LORD among us or not?" Moses cried out to God. God sent him with his staff and some elders to a rock at Horeb and said, "I will stand there before you on the rock." Moses struck it, and water gushed out like rivers. Paul later said, "That rock was Christ." God is always with His people, and we can trust Him with every need.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Grumble or trust?, Grumble or pray?
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at school, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God led Israel to Rephidim, a camp with no water. Though He had parted the sea and was feeding them manna daily, the people quarreled with Moses and put God on trial – "Is the LORD among us or not?" Moses cried out to God. God sent him ahead with the elders and the staff of judgment that struck the Nile and said, "I will stand there before you on the rock." Moses struck the rock where God stood, and rivers flowed to the people who had accused Him. Paul says, "That rock was Christ." Trust rests on God's presence and grace, not our circumstances.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The Rock in Scripture, From grumble to prayer
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, online and on screens, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Trust
The same principle in other Bible stories.
In the BeginningGod Provides a LambGenesis 22:1-19God tested Abraham, then provided a substitute in Isaac's place, a picture of Jesus, the Lamb God provides for us.Old TestamentTrust
Seeing God's WorldThe Big StoryGenesis 1:1, 31; Genesis 3:1-24; Revelation 21:1-5; Romans 11:36The Bible is one true story from beginning to end. God made a good world, sin broke it, Jesus came to rescue us, and one day He will make all things new. Because we know how the story ends, we can trust God in every chapter of our lives.Old TestamentTrust
Elisha and the Widow’s Oil2 Kings 4:1-7A poor widow came to Elisha for help. Her husband had died, and a man she owed money to was coming to take her two sons away as slaves. All she had left was one small jar of oil. Elisha told her to borrow empty jars from her neighbors, lots of them, and pour. God made the oil keep flowing until every jar was full. She sold the oil, paid what she owed and kept her sons. We can trust God with what we need.Old TestamentTrust
Elijah and the Widow1 Kings 17:1-16; Luke 4:25-26During a long drought, God fed Elijah with ravens by a brook. When the brook dried up, God sent him to a poor widow with only a little flour and oil. She trusted God's promise, and her flour and oil never ran out. God takes care of people who trust Him.Old TestamentTrust
Jesus Walks on WaterMatthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21In the middle of a stormy night, Jesus came to His disciples walking on the water. Peter walked toward Him, but when he looked at the wind he began to sink. Jesus caught him right away. Jesus is God, and we can trust Him in every storm.New TestamentTrust
Kings and ProphetsDavid and Goliath1 Samuel 17:1-51; 1 Samuel 16:1-13God saves His people by His own power, through the champion He chooses.Old TestamentTrust