Lesson 6: Wilderness wanderings.
Passage: Exodus 16 - After the Israelites escaped from Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, they wandered through the wilderness to get to the land that God promised to bring them to. Eventually, the Israelites started grumbling against Moses and Aaron, saying that they wished they had stayed in Egypt as slaves because there they had meat to eat and all the food they wanted. God heard the grumbling of the people and sent them bread from heaven, which they called manna, and quail to eat. God instructed them to collect as much manna as needed but not to save any for the next day, because God would provide for them each day. On the night before the Sabbath, they were to collect enough for two days. The people didn’t always listen to God’s instructions, but God continued to take care of them throughout their forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
Big Idea: God provides for our needs.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’ll be continuing the story of Moses and the Israelites. Last week we learned about how they crossed over the Red Sea after they finally escaped from Egypt.
Does anyone remember how the people were able to cross the sea?
So now the Israelites are traveling in the wilderness and trying to get to the land that God promised to bring them to. Let’s watch today’s video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What do you think about the story of how God took care of the people in the wilderness? What do you think that says about what God is like?
Does anyone remember what kind of food God gave the people to eat?
Do you think that would be pretty cool to have bread falling from the sky every day for you to eat? Do you think that if you saw that you would trust that God was taking care of you?
What are some ways that God takes care of us? What are some things that you feel thankful for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of how you took care of your people while they were wandering in the wilderness. Thank you that you never left them alone, but you sent them food to eat and water to drink, and showed them the way to the Promised Land. Thank you that we can also trust you to take care of us, and for all the ways that you do that every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Manna Craft — Activity Leader
Decorate pictures of trees and glue on cotton balls (Manna).
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’ll be continuing the story of Moses and the Israelites. Last week we learned about how they crossed over the Red Sea after they finally escaped from Egypt.
Does anyone remember how the people were able to cross the sea?
So now the Israelites are traveling in the wilderness and trying to get to the land that God promised to bring them to. Let’s watch today’s video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What were some of the ways that God took care of the people while they were wandering in the wilderness?
Can anyone guess how many years it took them to reach the Promised Land? (40 years)
How do you think you would feel if you had to walk in the wilderness for 40 years? Do you think it would be easy or hard for you to trust that God was taking care of you?
What are some ways that you can think of that God takes care of you every day? What are some things that you are thankful for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of how you took care of your people while they were wandering in the wilderness. Thank you that you never left them alone, but you sent them food to eat and water to drink, and showed them the way to the Promised Land. Thank you that we can also trust you to take care of us, and for all the ways that you do that every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Paper Plate Quail Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will fold a paper plate in half, colour the outside, and glue different items on to make it look like a quail (pipe cleaners for feet, paper for beak, eyes, feathers, etc).
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class; ask how their week was.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’ll be continuing the story of Moses and the Israelites. Last week we learned about how they crossed over the Red Sea after they finally escaped from Egypt.
Does anyone remember how the people were able to cross the sea?
Now the Israelites are traveling in the wilderness and trying to get to the land that God promised to bring them to, a place called Canaan. Let’s watch today’s video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What were some of the ways that God took care of the people while they were wandering in the wilderness?
Can anyone guess how many years the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness before they reached the Promised Land?
How do you think you would feel if you had to walk in the wilderness for 40 years? Do you think it would be easy or hard for you to trust that God was taking care of you?
What are some ways that you can think of that God takes care of you every day? Is there anything that you feel really thankful to God for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of how you took care of your people while they were wandering in the wilderness. Thank you that you never left them alone, but you sent them food to eat and water to drink, and showed them the way to the Promised Land. Please help us to trust in you, even when we’re going through hard times or when there are problems in our lives. In those moments, help us to remember that you are with us and all the ways that you’ve taken care of us in the past. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Quail Craft — 10 minutes
Making paper plate quails — kids fold a paper plate in half, colour the outside, and glue different items on to make it look like a quail (pipe cleaners for feet, paper for beak, eyes, feathers, etc).
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What were some of the ways that God took care of the people in the wilderness?
Did the Israelites trust in God or did they complain and grumble a lot instead? Why do you think they did that?
Do you think it’s easy or hard to trust God when you’re going through a hard time? Do you think that God is always with you and taking care of you?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What were some of the ways that God took care of the people in the wilderness? What kind of food did God send them to eat?
What were some of the things that the people complained about? Why do you think it was so hard for them to trust God to take care of them?
What are some ways that God takes care of you?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think the Israelites had such a hard time trusting God, even though they had seen so many of the great miracles that God had done for them in the past?
Do you think that sometimes it’s easier to focus on the problems in front of us instead of remembering the things God has done for us in the past?
Can you think of some things that God has done for you or ways that God has taken care of you, which you can remind yourself when you’re going through a hard time?
