Freedom
Moses
Our journey together this year is exploring God’s Big Story in the Old Testament! In our first unit, we looked at the Beginning stories of God’s Creation in the first part of Genesis. In our second unit, we then explored the second part of Genesis where we learned about some of the first leaders and families in the Bible. Now, we are in the book of Exodus and will be learning about Moses and the Israelites!
It is encouraged that families watch the videos, read the texts, reflect on the summaries, respond to the questions and pray together. However, Club 56 participants can also do this on their own- you might need a journal for journaling some thoughts!
Introduction Video from Leah
Welcome back! Watch this short video from Leah to hear about where we are headed.
Invocation
Find your Club 56 Candle (or a Candle) that you can light.
Invocation: the act of inviting or welcoming or acknowledging that God is present in our space.
As you light your candle, say this invocation out loud: “I light this candle in the name of God, our Creator; Jesus, our Savior; and the Holy Spirit, our Inspirer. The three in one!”
Connect Video
Get a taste of this week’s theme by watching this video!
Connect is a curriculum from SPARK that is specifically designed for 5th and 6th graders.
Read, Reflect & Respond
Take some time to dig in deep to the Bible!
Need a Bible? Contact Leah M!
Read the Text: Exodus 3:1-12
As you read, draw burning bushes in the Bible where God interacts with Moses.
Reflect on the Summary:
“Moses didn’t believe he could be a hero for the Israelites. He murdered a man, was awkward when speaking to others, and grew up disconnected from the very people God wanted him to lead. God believed Moses could be a hero. As an infant, Moses was saved from slaughter by his mother’s act of rebellion. Pharaoh’s court afforded Moses education and exposed him to leadership. Still, Moses knew who his people were and had a passion for them. God saw in Moses what Moses could not see in himself. Like many called by God, Moses asked, “Why me?” He didn’t feel like a superstar. But Moses was just the beginning of a long line of humble heroes chosen by God in the unfolding of God’s work among humanity. God promised to equip Moses for the task of saving the Israelites.”
Respond to the Questions:
- Why couldn’t God just show up and talk to Moses face-to-face to explain the plan?
- If God spoke to you some crazy way, how do you think you would react?
Want to explore another text? Read the one below!
Read the Text #2: Genesis 21:14-20
After you read, Draw Ishmael’s tree with his name on the trunk.
Reflect on the Summary:
“Hagar and Ishmael weren’t a part of God’s original plan. Sarah and Abraham got impatient and developed their own plan. When God gave Isaac to Sarah, she cleared out Hagar and Hagar’s son, Ishmael. Sarah sent Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness with only bread and water. But God did not abandon Hagar and Ishmael: God saved them from starvation, and a great people descended from Ishmael.”
Respond to the Questions:
- What do you think about what Abraham did?
- In earlier verses, God told Abraham not to worry about Hagar and Ishmael’s fate; he would make a nation of Ishmael’s offspring. How does this change how you feel about what Abraham did?
- How do you know that God hears your cries when you are distressed?
Remember (Club 56 Binder)
Our Club 56 Binders are for taking notes and helping us remember details in God’s Big Story!
Need a binder? Contact Leah M.
Get out your Club 56 Binder and find the green page with the burning bush (labeled Moses). Find the paragraph about why we are using a burning bush as a symbol to remember this story and read about it!
In the box by the burning bush, write important key words, people, events or notes that you want to remember about the Moses story.
Need help? Revisit the texts we explored today or read the paragraph at the bottom of the paper.
“Here I am” Craft Video
This was supposed to happen today, but supplies did not come in! So, we will do this craft next weekend, January 17. Supplies will be delivered to your house this week. Make sure you look for them!
Prayer
“Ever Present God,
Thank you for reminding us that we are braver than we think and that we can always count on you for being there. Help us to uplift others and remind them that they are loved. Help us to see the good qualities in others and tell them!
In your name,
Amen”
Benediction
It’s time to blow out or turn off your candle and go on with your day with a blessing.
Benediction: a blessing that sends you out on your day!
As you turn off your candle, bless the people in your home by saying,” May God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you and may God always go with you and give you peace!”
Quoted texts are revised from:
Connect Leader Guide. Unit 3—Freedom: Moses. wearesparkhouse.org © 2013 sparkhouse. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.