April 27
Pre K-1 | Lesson 55
God Parts the Red Sea
God provided a way of escape from Pharaoh and his army by parting the Red Sea.
Lesson Media
Bryan Osborne Lesson 55 Teacher Videocloud_download
Overview
Prepare
Come On In
Memory Verse
Studying God’s Word
Story Time
Song Time
Group Prayer
Lesson Resources
Additional Memory Verses list
Books of the Bible Flashcards
Bop and Pop Cards
Follow the Leader Cards
Funny Voices Strips
Game Board
God Leads Craft*
Illustrations
Justin and Jessie Coloring Sheet
Justin & Jessie Story
Lesson Flip Chart
Praise Tambourine
Question Cards
Red Sea Role Play Script
Review Activity Sheet
Review Questions
Student Take Home Sheets
Highlight
Overview
Lesson Focus
God delivered the Israelites from Egypt and provided them with great possessions as he promised. In a great miracle, God rescued his people by parting the waters of the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through on dry ground. But he closed the waters over the Egyptian army, destroying them completely.
Key Passages
Exodus 12:35–36, 13:21–22, 14:6–8
Memory Verse
Exodus 20:1–3 And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”
Prepare to Share
Scriptural Background
Prepare to teach by preparing your heart. Read the key passages for this lesson along with this background.
Nearly 500 years before the Exodus, God told Abraham that his descendants would go into slavery and then “come out with great possessions” (Genesis 15:14). Following the final plague on Egypt—the death of the firstborn all across Egypt—Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites go. As this huge group of former slaves (some estimate more than 2 million) left, these words came true as they plundered the Egyptians, taking their gold and silver jewelry and clothing (Exodus 12:35).
God took the Israelites along a route through the wilderness by the Red Sea. He went before them “by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night” (Exodus 13:21). As they approached the sea, with Pharaoh and his formidable Egyptian army in pursuit, the Israelites became afraid and complained to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness” (Exodus 14:11–12).
With Israel afraid, fearful for their lives, and holding Moses to blame, God showed his faithfulness and provided them with safety. He parted the sea, and they crossed on dry ground (Exodus 14:21–22). When the Egyptians pursued them into the sea, God caused the waters to return, drowning the entire army (Exodus 14:28). God showed himself faithful, and his name was exalted (Exodus 14:30–31). Israel witnessed God’s amazing power and faithfulness.
The departure from Israel out of Egypt and across the Red Sea is one of the most dramatic events in all of the Bible; the biblical writers repeatedly refer to it as the most significant sign of God’s love for Israel. A helpless slave people were delivered from their enemies by their powerful Redeemer God. They celebrated their victory with a song of praise (Exodus 15:1–2):
I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Historical/Apologetics Background
For many years, scholars have disagreed over the exact location of the Israelites’ crossing, and thus the site of the drowning of Pharaoh’s army. Four routes for the Exodus have been proposed and continue to be debated. (See map of the four proposed routes.) Keep in mind that the crossing of the Israelites is not in question here—just the exact location. God’s Word reveals this historical event, and we believe it!
- Some believe that the Israelites took a northern route and crossed a shallow lake north of the Red Sea—near either Lake Timsah or one of the Bitter Lakes. The theory is that during the time of the Exodus—nearly 3,500 years ago—there was much more water in this area than there is today.
- Other scholars prefer a middle route, putting the crossing of the Israelites through the Gulf of Suez. The Gulf of Suez is quite shallow, with an average depth of 40 feet, making a passing here quite possible.
- Some prefer a far-south crossing, below the Sinai Peninsula, across the Red Sea proper. This route would take considerably more time for the Israelites to travel as they fled the Egyptians, and the underwater topography of the Red Sea would be prohibitive for a crossing here, being up to 300 feet deep.
- One researcher has proposed that the crossing was actually at the Gulf of Aqaba and that the Israelites crossed the Sinai Peninsula while the Egyptian armies were chasing them. This seems problematic given the time it would take to move more than two million people that far in only a few days’ time.
While we may not know what exact route the Israelites took during the Exodus or the exact body of water they crossed, we stand on the authority of God’s Word as a true record of history. Archaeological findings are sparse, extra-biblical historical records are incomplete, and the topography has changed much over the years. Although we don’t know for sure where the crossing was, we know it was a monumental event demonstrating God’s omnipotence and glory. One author of several works on biblical history offers this perspective: “The crossing of Israel . . . cannot be explained as a wading through a swamp. It required a mighty act of God, an act so significant both in scope and meaning that forever after in Israel’s history it was the paradigm against which all of his redemptive and saving work was measured” (Eugene Merrill, Kingdom of Priests, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1987, p. 66).
Highlight
Prepare
Lesson Preparation
CCome On In
Come On In
Choose one of the following activities and print/gather necessary items.
Come On In Game:
Review Activity Sheet*
Turn on some lesson/memory verse songs for students to listen to while they play with play dough, puzzles, blocks, etc.*
SLesson Time
Lesson Time
You will need the following items:
- Lesson Flip Chart
- Bible
- Stuffed animal for prayer time
Print one set of Lesson Illustrations and one Red Sea Role Play Script.
Gather the following for the Red Sea Role Play:
- Broomstick for Moses’ staff
- Toy sword
- Paper crown
- Two robes
- Blue tablecloths or sheets
LLesson Review Game
Lesson Review
Print one copy of the Review Questions.
Choose a Lesson Review Game and print/gather necessary items
AStory Time
Story Time
Print the Justin & Jessie Story and the Justin and Jessie Coloring Sheet.
MMemory Verse Game
Memory Verse
Choose a Memory Verse Game and print/gather necessary items:
Find extra verses to practice in the Additional Memory Verses list.
NSong Time
Song Time
Practice the following songs using the lyrics on the Song Sheet at the end of this lesson or on the Flip Chart Song Time Lyrics Page. Remember to use the downloaded music to learn the songs.
Find extra songs to the tunes of favorite nursery rhymes in the Additional Songs list.
GGo to Prayer
Go to Prayer
Dear God, I praise you for the mighty acts you perform on behalf of your people. You provided plunder and protection for the Israelites during the Exodus and demonstrated your omnipotence over Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea. Build my students’ faith so they, too, will trust you for provision and protection.
Optional Supplements
Hands-On Activities
Hands-On Activities
Do these activities when you think best—before, during, or after the lesson.
- God Leads Craft*
- Praise Tambourine*
Highlight
Come On In
As students arrive, direct them to the activity you chose for today.
Highlight
Memory Verse
Use the Flip Chart Memory Verse Page as you play a memory verse game. Explain the verse to your students as you review it together.
Highlight
Studying God’s Word
Lesson Time
- Don’t forget! Review the Optional Supplements and determine where you can use them.
Have the students assemble in a circle away from the tables—either on the floor or in their chairs.
Bring your stuffed animal, Bible, Flip Chart, and any items you brought or prepared for this lesson.
Prayer
This prayer time is designed to help the students begin to understand some simple concepts about prayer and to encourage them to pray.
We start our Bible lesson with prayer. Turn to the Flip Chart Prayer Page. Briefly review the different types of prayer presented there.
Today let’s say prayers of thanksgiving and tell God thank you.
I’ll start. Dear God, thank you for . . . (insert personal prayer here).
Pass a special stuffed animal—prayer bear—around the circle, giving all the students an opportunity to pray or choose a volunteer to stand beside you and pray.
Very good! Now let’s put our stuffed animal away, and we’ll answer our Bible Truth questions.
- I love you prayers—Adoration
- I’m sorry prayers—Confession
- I’m thankful prayers—Thanksgiving
- Please prayers—Supplication
Bible Truths
These four questions will be repeated each week to help the students learn foundational truths.
- What word means God is all-powerful? Omnipotent.
- What does it mean that God is sovereign? God is in control of everything.
- What promise is told all through the Old Testament? A Savior would come.
- Who saves sinners from the punishment of sin? Jesus.
Bible Treasure Hunt
- Before Bible Treasure Hunt, place a sticky note in your Bible to mark the first passage to be read.
Each week before class, hide your Bible somewhere in the room. You can use different methods each week to keep the students excited about finding the Bible. For example, you might set a timer, play music while the students search, tell students when they are getting warmer and colder, or choose a student to hide the Bible and let you or classmates find it.
We are going to start out today by looking into God’s Word, the Bible. God’s Word is true, and we can always trust what it says. It’s like a great treasure that tells us about who God is and what he has done for us. But where is this treasure? You will have to help me with that. We’re going to go on a Bible Treasure Hunt. Somewhere in this room, I’ve hidden the Bible. When I say “Go,” you will need to look for it. Whoever finds the Bible must bring it back to their seat and hold it very carefully until it is time to look in it. When it is time to read, you can bring it to me, and we’ll open it to see what we are going to talk about today! Explain the method you chose for today. Ready? Set! Go!
Pre-K Lesson
Review
Refer to Lesson 53 Flip Chart.
- We’ve learned about nine terrible plagues God sent on Egypt as punishment for sin.
- But Pharaoh was stubborn and would not let the Israelites go, so God sent a tenth plague.
- What happened during the tenth plague? The firstborn of all Egyptian families and animals died.
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Refer to Lesson 54 Flip Chart. How did God protect the Israelites from this plague? What did he tell them to do?
Kill lambs and spread the blood on their doorposts.
When God saw blood on the doorposts, he would pass over their homes without harming their firstborn.
- God also commanded them to eat a special meal of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. What was the name of this meal? Passover.
God Leads His People
The Egyptians wanted the Israelites to leave their country quickly because of the plagues God had sent. God even made them give the Israelites gifts of jewelry and clothes before they left.
Then God led the Israelites out of Egypt with their families, all their animals, and the gifts from the Egyptians. They left in such a hurry that they didn’t even have time to let their bread dough rise, so they carried it with them!
- But how did the Israelites know which way they were supposed to go out there in the wilderness? Who has the Bible? Have the student bring up the Bible and open it to the sticky note. Listen and see if you can figure out how God led them. Read Exodus 13:21–22.
- Who went before them to lead them? The Lord.
- By day, the Lord went before them in what? A pillar of cloud.
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And at night, the Lord went in a pillar of what? Fire.
Show Lesson Illustrations #1 and #2. God used a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night to guide the Israelites. All they had to do was follow it! God was faithful to stay with his people and show them the way.
- Reread the verses as necessary so the students can hear the answers straight from God’s Word.
Meanwhile, back in Egypt, Pharaoh thought about what had just happened. And he was sorry he let the Israelites go. He just lost all his slaves! Who would make all their bricks, work in the fields, and build their cities now that the Israelites were gone?
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So what would Pharaoh do now? Any guesses?
Allow guesses.
Show Lesson Illustration #3. Pharaoh got his army and his chariots and raced after the Israelites. Uh oh!
God Parts the Red Sea
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When the Israelites left Egypt, they marched toward the Red Sea. But when they looked back, who did they see chasing them?
Pharaoh and his army of chariots and horses!
Oh no! Now they were trapped! Behind them, Pharaoh was coming fast, but in front of them was a huge sea called the Red Sea! What would they do? They couldn’t swim across all that water. And they had no boats. Would they be captured and taken back to Egypt to be slaves again?
Exodus 14 tells us what happened, and we’re going to act it out together.
Follow the Red Sea Role Play Script then continue with the lesson.- Have the Red Sea Role Play Script printed and props ready.
Show the Lesson Flip Chart. Once again, God showed his power. He protected the Israelites and led them safely through the Red Sea. And you know what? The God who saved them back then is the same God we worship now. He hasn’t changed; he is still faithful to lead those who trust in him.
K-1st Lesson
Review
Refer to Lesson 53 Flip Chart.
- We’ve learned about nine terrible plagues God sent on the Egyptians as punishment for their sin.
- But Pharaoh was stubborn and would not let the Israelites go, so God sent a tenth plague.
- What happened during the tenth plague? The firstborn of all Egyptian families and animals died.
-
Refer to Lesson 54 Flip Chart. How did God protect the Israelites from this plague? What did he tell them to do?
Kill lambs and spread the blood on their doorposts.
When God saw blood on the doorposts, he would pass over their homes without harming their firstborn.
- God also commanded them to eat a special meal of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. What was the name of this meal? Passover.
God Provides Possessions
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How many of you remember Abraham?
Show of hands.
Abraham was the great-great-grandfather of the Israelites—they were his descendants. Many years before the Israelites became slaves in Egypt, God told Abraham that they would be slaves. But God also promised that he would set them free and take them to a land they could call their own, the Promised Land of Canaan. God also said that when the Israelites were free to leave Egypt, they would come out with great possessions—lots of gold and silver jewelry and beautiful clothes.
But if they were slaves, how would they get all those nice things? Let’s find out how God kept that part of his promise!
- Who has the Bible? Please bring it up. Have the student bring up the Bible and open it to the sticky note. Listen to Exodus 12:35–36. Read the verses.
- What did the Israelites ask the Egyptians for? Silver and gold jewelry and clothing.
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And what did the Egyptians do when the Israelites asked for jewelry and clothing?
They let them have what they asked for!
Moses told the people to ask the Egyptians for jewelry and clothing. God caused the Egyptians to give them all they asked for. After all the horrible plagues, the Egyptians didn’t want the Israelites around anymore. They gave the Israelites whatever they asked for so they would hurry up and leave. This was another miracle that shows how God kept his promise and provided everything they needed as he led them out of slavery.
God Leads His People
God led the Israelites out of Egypt with their families, their flocks of sheep and herds of goats, and all the nice things they got from the Egyptians. And they left in such a hurry that they didn’t even have time to let their bread dough rise, so they carried it with them!
But how did the Israelites know which way they were supposed to go out there in the wilderness? Listen and see if you can figure out how God led them. Read Exodus 13:21–22.
- Who went before them to lead them? The Lord.
- By day, the Lord went before them in what? A pillar of cloud.
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And at night, the Lord went in a pillar of what? Fire.
Show Lesson Illustrations #1 and #2. God used a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night to guide the Israelites. All they had to do was follow it! And it never left them. God was faithful to stay with his people and show them the way.
- Reread the verses as necessary so the students can hear the answers straight from God’s Word.
Meanwhile, back in Egypt, Pharaoh thought about what had just happened. And he soon changed his mind about letting the Israelites go!
- Why do you think Pharaoh and his people were sorry they let the Israelites go? Allow discussion. They lost all their slaves!
- They just lost all their slaves! Who would they have to make bricks, work in the fields, and build their cities now that the Israelites were gone? So what would Pharaoh do now? Any guesses? Allow guesses.
Let’s find out! Read Exodus 14:6–8.
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What did they decide to do?
Chase after the Israelites to get them back.
Show Lesson Illustration #3. That’s right! Pharaoh got his army and his chariots and raced after the Israelites. He had over 600 chariots with fast horses. Pharaoh’s army was fast and powerful! Uh oh! They could easily catch up to the Israelites.
God Parts the Red Sea
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After the Israelites left Egypt, they walked toward the Red Sea. But it wasn’t long before they looked back, and who did they see chasing them?
Pharaoh and his army of chariots and horses!
Oh no! Now they were trapped! Behind them Pharaoh’s army was coming fast, but in front of them was the Red Sea! What would they do? They couldn’t swim across all that water. And they had no boat that could carry them all across. Would they be captured and taken back to Egypt to become slaves again?
Exodus 14 tells us what happened, and we’re going to act it out together.
Follow the Red Sea Role Play Script then continue with the lesson.- Have the Red Sea Role Play Script printed and props ready.
Show the Lesson Flip Chart. Once again, God showed his omnipotence and his faithfulness to keep his promises. He protected the Israelites and led them to safety through the Red Sea. And you know what? The God who saved them back then is the same God we worship now. He hasn’t changed; he is still all-powerful and faithful to keep his promises and to lead those who trust in him.
Lesson Review
We all learn best with review and repetition! We encourage you to play a lesson review game.
Highlight
Story Time
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Do you remember what happened in our last story?
Allow discussion.
Justin and Jessie went swimming with their class. But Justin didn’t want to listen to the rules or the teacher’s instructions and ended up going under the water when he wasn’t ready. He learned to wait for instructions and follow the rules, didn’t he?
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What did Justin learn about rules and instructions? Why should we follow them?
They keep us safe. They help us.
Let’s see what the kids are doing in today’s story. Read the story as you show the picture.
- Matt was really worried about Penny, wasn’t he? But what did Justin’s dad remind the kids to do before they went out to look for the puppy? Pray for help.
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Yes. They prayed that God would help them. And just like in our story, when things like that happen to us, who can we always go to for help?
God.
That’s right. God is omnipotent and omniscient—he is all-powerful, and he knows all things. The Bible tells us about some of the great things God has done, like helping the Israelites at the Red Sea when Moses prayed for help. And remember, God in the Bible is the very same God we worship now. He hasn’t changed one bit. He will always be the same, so we can always trust him and pray to him when we need help, too.
Highlight
Song Time
Use the downloaded music to sing the songs. Lyrics can be found on the Flip Chart Song Time Lyrics Page and the Song Sheet at the end of this lesson.
- If you made the Praise Tambourine in the Hands-On Activities, this is a great time to use them!
You may want to add stomping, clapping, and musical instruments, or make up hand motions to any of the songs!
Turn to the Flip Chart Memory Verse Page. Okay. It’s time for the memory verse song. Review the words and then sing the song together once or twice.
God led the Israelites out of Egypt to follow him and obey. God wants us to follow and obey him, too. Let’s sing about that. Review the words and sing the song once or twice.
God showed his great power again! He opened up the Red Sea and made a dry path right through it to rescue the Israelites. Let’s sing about his power. Review the words and sing the song a few times.
Sing other class favorites or songs from the Additional Songs list as time allows.
Song Sheet
Highlight
Group Prayer
- Pass out the Student Take Home Sheets and remind students to practice the memory verse this week.