Under 5s session

Having been permitted by Pharaoh to leave Egypt and led by God to the edge of the Red Sea, the Israelites are then pursued by the Egyptian army. Miraculously, God parts the water, enabling the Israelites to cross safely, and the Egyptian army is wiped out by the returning waters – a display of God’s power and faithfulness to the Israelites.

Prepare and reflect

This passage about the Israelites being led by God, through water, to the Promised Land recalls the resurrection and links to the story of salvation. It is part of the wider narrative of the Israelites travelling from an oppressive regime in Egypt under Pharaoh, through slavery and exile to freedom and restoration. Approach the passage cautiously with younger/sensitive children, and emphasise that it is Pharaoh’s cruelty and stubbornness that causes the defeat of the Egyptian army. You could use the Under 5s version instead, if you need to.

The theme of journeying is a powerful one, particularly during September as we journey into a new academic year. On the journey, the presence of God is visible and powerful, leading the group. Does that make a difference to our experience of walking with God?

The Israelites become God’s people on the journey, rather than when they reach the Promised Land. Focus on the idea of transformation as we walk with God, and the power of relying on God as we journey together as a community.

Prepare

Very young children's Session

Read: Prepare and reflect - see above and use the Colouring sheet

Play ideas

Water play tray with scoops, jugs and small world people.

Gather

Very young childrens Session

Gathering song

Sing to the tune: Row, row, row your boat

Go, go, go with God:
gently he will guide!
Trust in God to show the way
and stay close by our side.

Share the Word

Very young childrens Session

Share the story

Fill a story basket with two pieces of blue cloth and small world people, choosing one to be Moses. Lay the two cloths side by side and place most of the figures, including Moses, there. Create an Egyptian army further back. Use the figures as you tell the story.

God’s people were stuck! Behind them the Egyptian soldiers were getting nearer.
In front was the deep sea.
‘God will keep us safe,’ Moses said.
God told Moses to stretch his hand out over the sea.
A strong wind blew and the waters separated, leaving a path in the middle.

Everyone walked across. But the Egyptian army were still following.

God told Moses to stretch his hand out again.
The water covered the path and the Egyptian army couldn’t get through.
God had rescued his people.

Explore and respond

Very young childrens Session

Crossing the Red Sea game

Stand at one side of the room and ask the children to shout out, ‘Can we cross?’ Answer with ‘Only if you have red socks/a brother/like pizza/are three years old’, etc., encouraging the children to take one stride forward if they can cross. Finish by saying, ‘You can cross if you go with God’, encouraging everyone to run across the room.

Sponge painting

Take a large sheet of paper or cloth, use masking tape to write ‘GOD’, and provide sponges and paint in different shades of blue and green. Ask the children to print all over the large sheet and letters. Remove the tape as you remember that God is with us always.

A prayer for very young children: Walking prayer

Give everyone a ball of blue play dough flattened out.
Ask them to walk their fingers across as you pray:

Thank you, God,
that you are with us wherever we go.
Amen.

Very young childrens Session

Childrens Session

Activity and colouring sheet

Click on the graphic to view this week's sheets.

Go with God

Very young childrens Session

Sing

To the tune: Go Jetters chorus

Go, go! Go, go! Go Moses!
Go, go! Go, go! Through the Red Sea, yeah!
Go, go! Go, go! Go Moses!
Go! With God, go!
Go, go, go!

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