God Calls Moses

TEXT: Exodus 3:1-14; Hebrews 11:24-26

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to explain that God knew where Moses was and called him to do a special task. They can explain that God knows where we are and has a plan for us also.

BIBLE LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction: Bring a phone to class. Talk about getting a call from someone. Explain that today's story is about a man who got a very special call, but it wasn't on the phone. It was much more unusual!

1. Moses was tending his father-in-law's sheep in the desert. When he came to Mount Horeb the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a burning bush.
2. God called Moses and he answered, "Here am I." The Lord told Moses to take off his shoes for he was on holy ground.
3. The Lord had seen the affliction of His people and He told Moses, "I will send thee to Pharaoh." Moses was called to bring Israel out of Egypt.

Climax: Moses felt that he wasn't capable of such a task and said, "Who am I?" but God promised, "Certainly I will be with thee."

Conclusion: Moses felt incapable to lead Israel out of Egypt. We feel unable to do things for the Lord but God promises, "Certainly I will be with thee."

Response: The students will be able to explain that God knew Moses and his qualifications, and called him to a special task. They will realize that God knows us and also has a plan for us.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Bible has little to say about Moses from the time of his being presented to the Egyptian court until he slew an Egyptian taskmaster and had to flee for his life. In the seventh chapter of Acts, Stephen declares that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds. Stephen also states that Moses supposed that the Israelites would have understood that God by the hand of Moses would be their deliverer. The historian Josephus says that God revealed in a dream to Amram that Moses would be the one to deliver the Israelites. In any case, Moses got ahead of the Lord's time and was forced to flee from Egypt and he went to the land of Midian.

When Moses arrived in Midian, he helped some shepherd girls water their flocks. The girls' father, Jethro, appreciated what Moses had done and invited him in to eat bread. Moses was contented to work as a shepherd for Jethro and married one of his daughters. We aren't told anything more about Moses until God called to him from the burning bush.

When the time came for God to deliver the Children of Israel from bondage, God knew exactly where to find the man for the job. He wasn't in the palace of a king, but a sheepherder out on the backside of the desert. He had made his choice not to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and was ready to suffer affliction with the children of God.

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

• Give each child a coloring sheet showing Moses standing in front of the burning bush (see Patterns).
• Use the cut-out figure of Moses (see Patterns) and his sheep to tell your story. Find a real branch to serve as your burning bush, and set this on a Styrofoam base. Add the small orange construction paper flames around it. God's voice is represented by speech balloons. Cut these out and mount them on craft sticks. Stick into the Styrofoam base so the words seem to be coming from the bush.
• Bring a telephone to class. Ask if anyone has ever had someone call them on the telephone and ask them to do something. Explain that your story today is about a man whom God called and asked to do a specific task—but He used something far more unique than a telephone to get in touch with Moses!
• After telling the story of Moses, discuss with your class some things God might call a person in our day to do. Bring some implements of various occupations: a fireman's hat, a textbook (for teacher), a broom (for housewife), a typewriter (for office worker), a badge (for policeman). Let your group talk about ways these people could be called of God and used by Him as they go about their daily work. Conclude by showing ways we can all work for God: a church invitation (invite others), a smiling face (be sure the joy of the Lord shows in our life), a songbook (do our part in the church work), etc.

QUESTIONS

1. How did God show Himself to Moses?
2. What job did God have for Moses?
3. Explain how the bush was on fire and yet didn't burn up.
4. Tell of some other unusual ways, either in the Bible or about people you know, in which God got someone's attention.
5. Has God ever asked you to do something for Him?
6. Why did Moses wonder why God chose him to deliver the people of Israel?
7. How do you think God chooses people to work for Him?
8. Do you think God had a plan for Moses' life even when he was a tiny baby in the basket?
9. Do you think God has a plan for your life?

PRE-SCHOOL SUGGESTIONS

• Give each of your children a copy of the scribble picture of the burning bush (see Patterns). Let them add flames coming from the bush.
• When Moses came before the burning bush, God told him to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground. Reproduce copies of Moses' shoes for each child (see Patterns). Punch holes around edge as indicated. Give each child a length of yarn with a tape-wrapped tip. Let them lace around the shoe.
• Let your preschoolers make a simple burning bush. Fold a piece of orange construction paper in half crosswise. Cut this into half of a simple bush shape. Using blunt scissors, let each child cut snips along the edges, being careful not to cut all the way to the fold. When the bush is unfolded, the snips will make "flames."

REVIEW IDEAS‍

Have a teacher walk out calling for a student and the child pretending to be hiding. Have the teacher continue calling, saying, "Tommy, where are you? I want you to do something for me. Where are you? I know I'll find you. There you are! I would like you to .... " Bring out that the Lord has something for us to do and He knows where we are, but we need to answer when He calls.

Interview someone in your church that God has called to a specific job for Him.

Bring a number of items indicative of the call of God. Bring a rod first, and talk about God's call to Moses. Then show items that might relate to a call in our day; for example, typewriter (church secretary), invitation (seaman worker), musical instrument (orchestra member), Bible.