Welcome: Welcome to Backyard Club! Thank you to ____________ for allowing us to come today! We’re glad you’re here!
I need some helpers today. We're going to play "It Sure Seems Impossible to Me!"
Materials You Need: 4 juggling balls or tennis balls Hard cover books Spoons 4 hard boiled eggs - peeled Glass bottle from ice tea (Snapple or coffee from Starbucks) Matches Wood skewer
Today I need your help with some fun activities. If you’d like to volunteer, be sure to raise your hand.
Who can balance a book on their head while walking across the room? (choose both boys and girls) Who can balance a spoon on their nose and walk across the room? Who can roll their tongue like a hot dog? Who can wave their eyebrows? Who can juggle 4 balls? 3 balls? 2 balls? 1 ball?
Juggling 4 balls is difficult but not impossible. You may have seen it done by a professional juggler.
Who can come up with a way to get this hard-boiled egg into this glass bottle with cutting or smashing the egg? It seems impossible to get the egg inside the bottle without damaging it. But I have a way!
Light 3 matches, one at a time, and drop them into the bottle still lit, then have a student place the hardboiled egg in the mouth of the jar. The matches will go out immediately. As the smoke rises the egg will slowly suck into the bottle.
Many of you thought it was impossible to get the egg into the bottle without breaking it. The Israelites in today’s Bible lesson thought they had an impossible situation too.
Air pressure is what it’s all about. The heated air inside the bottle cools and contracts when the matches finally burn down. This creates lower air pressure inside the bottle than outside. The greater pressure forces the egg into the bottle.
With respect and trust in their hearts, the Israelites sang a song of joy to honor God, who accomplished the impossible to save them from the Egyptian sword. God will make a way. And nothing – not chariots, armies, or muddy sea bottoms – will stop His plan. Rejoice and trust in God’s care!
God said “Do not fear! STAND FIRM! When you hear someone say “God said “Do not fear!” you finish the saying by shouting “God said “STAND FIRM!”
Let’s try it! God said “Do not fear! STAND FIRM!
Have a seat on my blanket. Today we will learn how God saved the Israelites for what seemed like the end! Let’s listen!
Tell the Story: When God led the people out of Egypt, He didn’t lead them on the simplest road. He took them through the desert to a big sea called the Red Sea. (Exodus 13:17)
God led them by day with a big cloud and He led them by night with a pillar of fire. The cloud helped shade the people from the heat of the desert during the day. The fire helped warm the people from the cold at night. God protected and took care of His people. (Exodus 13:21-22)
When the Pharaoh realized what had happened, he had all his men and chariots chase after the people. He was confident that he would get them back, BUT he was wrong. (Exodus 14:1-9)
When the people looked up and saw the chariots, they were scared. Moses talked to them and told them that God would protect them, help them, and take care of them.
Suddenly they reached a dead end. The Red Sea was right before them. The people began to panic because there was no way of escape from Pharaoh’s army. (Exodus 14:10-12)
Moses answered the people. He said, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today. Do you see those Egyptians? You will never see them again. The Lord will fight for you. Just be still." (Exodus 14:13-14)
God said, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people of Israel to move on.” (Exodus 14:15) He told Moses to lift his staff. Then God said something really strange. “Reach your hand out over the Red Sea to part the water. Then the people can go through the sea on dry ground.” (Exodus 14:16)
God told Moses that He would gain glory because of what would happen to Pharaoh and his army. God said the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord. (Exodus 14:17-18)
The angel of God moved behind the people and protected them from the Pharaoh’s army. In fact, while it was night on the Pharaoh’s side, God made it light for his people all night long. (Exodus 14:19 20)
“Moses reached his hand out over the Red Sea.” All night a great wind blew. It separated the water into two walls. In the middle was a dry walkway. All of God’s people walked through the water on dry land! (Exodus 14:21-22)
The Israelites made it safely to the other side as the chariots began to ride through the walkway. As they were riding, God made their chariot wheels difficult to turn. The men knew that God was taking care of His people. They ran back to the land shouting, “Let’s get out of here. God is fighting for them!” (Exodus 14:23-25)
God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the waters. Suddenly the waters closed. All of the Pharaoh’s army was killed in the water. “Not one Egyptian was left.” (Exodus 14:26-28) Israel saw God rescue them from Egypt’s power. They saw God’s power demonstrated against Egypt. “So they had respect for the Lord. They put their trust in Him and in His servant Moses.” (Exodus 14:29-31)
God heard the cry of Israel and delivered them from slavery. He protected Israel from their enemy. God wants to protect us. Just as He made His presence known to Israel, God makes His presence known to us. God performed miracles to save Israel. God parted the Red Sea and Israel crossed on dry land. He sent His Son to save us.
Review 1. How did God lead Israel? (pillar of cloud by day; pillar of fire by night) 2. What did Pharaoh do? (changed his mind and went after the Israelites) 3. What did God do? (protected Israel; parted the Red Sea) 4. What Israel do? (put their trust in the Lord)
Think about it -- A pillar of fire led the Israelites by night. A pillar of cloud led them in the day. God continually made His presence known. Talk about how we know that God is with us.
God parted the Red Sea and made a way for Israel to get away from the Israelites. Talk about how God made a way for us to get away from sin when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.
The Israelites were leaving the home they had known. Their people had lived in Egypt for 400 years. They had been slaves. Their lives would change dramatically. Talk about what the Israelites might have felt.
Moses told Israel, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today.” God saved Israel from their enemies. Talk about how God protects us from our enemies.
God said “Do not fear! STAND FIRM!
God tells us in His Word: The Lord Point Up Is my strength Muscle arms And my song Cup hands around mouth He Point Up Has become my salvation Bend elbows, fist hands, cross arms to make cross Exodus 15 Hold up1 finger on one hand, 5 on the other hand Verse 2 Hold up2 fingers
Let’s say it again! Repeat Psalm 24:1 Wow! This is exciting stuff! Earth-shaking, heart-pounding, nerve-rattling adventure! The Israelites are on their way out of Egypt. But it’s out of the frying pan and into the water! Let’s read about it again in God’s Word! Exodus 12.
If you had the opportunity to be there, would you take it? Why or why not?
The Israelites were at a watery dead end with the enemy closing fast, but God was just getting warmed up! Sometimes we hit dead ends in our lives, and we don’t see any way out.
What do those dead ends in life look like?
Good news! God can make a way for you just as He did for the Israelites! When God is in the picture, there’s no such thing as a dead end!
God said “Do not fear! STAND FIRM!
Let’s Play a Game! Exodus Relay Materials Bibles, two bathrobes with ties, two pairs of adult size sandals, two walking sticks or canes, two paper plates, crackers (matzos or saltines)
Preparation On one side of the playing area make two piles, placing one bathrobe, a pair of sandals and a walking stick or cane in each pile. On the other side of the playing area, put a paper plate across from each pile and place half the crackers on each paper plate.
Lead the Game Whenever we need help, we can depend on God’s power! That’s what the Israelites did when they got ready to leave Egypt where they had been slaves for many years. Let’s play a relay game to remember what the Israelites did!
Guess where we’re going to find the directions for today’s game—in the Bible! Let’s listen to the command God gave the Israelites when they were getting ready to leave Egypt. Read, or have a volunteer read, Exodus 12:11.
For our relay, we’re going to put on this cloak (bathrobe), put on the sandals and carry the staff across the room to get a cracker from the plate. Then we eat the cracker and return to our team for the next player to have a turn. (Optional: volunteer demonstrates how to wear the clothing as you explain.)
Have students form two teams. Each team lines up by one pile of clothing. At your signal, students begin relay. Continue until all students have had a turn.
Option If you have more than 16 students, form additional teams and bring additional game supplies.
Discussion Questions 1. When are some times kids your age need to trust God’s power? 2. When are some times God’s power has helped you?
God said “Do not fear! STAND FIRM!
Part-able Red Seas Supplies: Corn starch (1/4 cup per student) Water (1/4 cup per student) Blue food coloring Vegetable oil (1/4 cup per student) Quart size freezer zipper bags (1 per student) Clear packing tape
Help each student to measure corn starch, water and 2 drops of blue food coloring into their bags. Be sure kids remove the excess air from the bags and seal them tightly. Have kids gently knead their bags until the ingredients are completely mixes. Then help each student to open the bag and pour in the vegetable oil. Again have them remove the excess air, reseal the bags and then knead the bags until the ingredients are smooth and well mixed.
Help each student fold the top edge of the bag down and securely tape the edge to prevent leakage.
Demonstrate how to lay the bag flat on the table or floor and then run your fingers across the center of the bag to part the mixture.
This activity reminds us of a very exciting Bible lesson. Place your bags in front of you on the floor. I’ll read the Bible lesson while you listen carefully for the part about God parting the sea. When I read that portion of the story, you can part the water in your bag.
Read aloud Exodus 14:13-14; 21-31.
What happened when Moses and God’s people came to the Red Sea? Why did God part the sea?
God saves His people because He loves them. God saved Moses and the Israelites from being captured by the Egyptians. He wanted His people safe and sound and far away from Pharaoh and his army. God miraculously parted the Red Sea so his people could get safely across.
God said “Do not fear! STAND FIRM!
Let’s huddle together and pray: Dear God Sometimes things scare us and make us afraid. Thank You for always being with us and taking care of us. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be our Savior and friend. We love You. Amen.
Blessing: May God, who is all around you, Beginning at the bottom of the circle, slowly pour his love upon you.make a large circle with your hands. Finish by bringing your hands down and wiggling the fingers to resemble rain.) And Jesus, his life a sacrifice,Slowly make a large sign of the cross. Then walk right there beside you.move your hands out to the sides. And may God’s Holy Spirit,Cross your hands over the heart. the one who lives inside you, keep you strong,Move to a “strong man” position. Then comfort, lead and guide you!cross your arms with the hands on corresponding upper arms to communicate comfort. Bring one hand forward with “lead” and the other with “guide” to complete the blessing.)
