How it works
Moses grew up in Pharaoh's palace, but his own people, the Hebrews, were slaves who made bricks. After trouble, he ran away to Midian, where he helped seven sisters at a well and became a shepherd for their father Jethro.
One day he led the flock to a mountain called Horeb and saw a bush that burned and did not burn up. He turned aside to look.
God called his name from the bush and told him to take off his sandals, because the ground was holy. God said he was sending Moses to Pharaoh to lead the people out.
Moses asked who he was to go. God promised to be with him, gave signs, and sent his brother Aaron, who spoke well, to help.
Worked examples
The bush
- Moses saw a bush burning with flames of gold.
- It was not burning up, and its leaves stayed green.
- So he turned aside to see this great sight.
The two signs
- God asked about the staff in his hand and told him to throw it down.
- It became a snake, and Moses caught it by the tail, and it was a staff again.
- Then his hand came out of his cloak pale as snow, and well and whole when he put it in again.
A shepherd's tools
- A shepherd carried a staff, a long strong stick.
- It guided the sheep and helped him walk.
- Moses looked after Jethro's sheep.
A job that feels too big
- Moses asked who he was to go to Pharaoh.
- He said he was not a good speaker.
- God promised to be with him and said Aaron spoke well and was on his way. When a job feels too big we can ask for help and keep going.
A taste of the worksheets
These are some of the questions on the sets. The printable sheets have more and an answer key.
- Circle every sign God gave Moses. š A staff that became a snake / āļø A storm of rain / āļø A hand pale as snow / š A rainbow
- Sam wrote that Moses felt big and brave about the job. Fix it: Moses felt too ___ for the job.
- Moses said he was not a good speaker. How did God help? š£ļø He sent Moses's brother Aaron, who spoke well / š” He sent Jethro to speak for him / šļø He told Moses to stay in Midian
- In the story, who was the king Moses was sent to? š” Jethro / š Pharaoh / š¤ Aaron
- In the story, who called Moses by name from the bush? š£ļø the voice from the bush / šæ the bush / š Moses
Words to know
- staff
- A long stick that a shepherd carries.
- holy
- Set apart, and very special to God.
Watch out for
- The bush burned and was not burned up. Moses did not put the fire out.
- Moses took off his sandals, not his cloak, because the ground was holy.
- Pharaoh was the king Moses was sent to. Jethro was the sisters' father, who took Moses in.
Try it
Where did Moses go after he ran away?
To Midian. He ran into the desert until he came to the land of Midian.
What did Moses take off, and why?
His sandals, because the ground was holy. The voice told him not to come closer but to take off his sandals.
What did Moses's staff become?
A snake. He caught it by the tail and it was a staff again.
Who did God send to help Moses speak?
His brother Aaron. Aaron spoke well and was already on his way.
For grown-ups
With a grown-up, take off your shoes, stand quietly for a minute, and notice something wonderful.
Try the mission: take off your shoes, stand quietly for a minute, and notice something wonderful. Faith content here is told as the story tells it; if your child asks a big question, say you can wonder about it together.