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Ages 7+ · Bible Stories · Rescuers and leaders
The burning bush
🌿a bush🔥golden flames🩴sandals off🦯a shepherd's staff
A bush that did not burn up.
The big ideaThe Bible tells us God called Moses from a burning bush, and was with him.

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.

Moses growsup in thepalaceHe runsaway toMidianThe bush onHorebGod callshim by nameAaron willhelp
The story in a row.

Example 1: The bush

  1. Moses saw a bush burning with flames of gold.
  2. It was not burning up, and its leaves stayed green.
  3. So he turned aside to see this great sight.

Example 2: The two signs

  1. God asked about the staff in his hand and told him to throw it down.
  2. It became a snake, and Moses caught it by the tail, and it was a staff again.
  3. Then his hand came out of his cloak pale as snow, and well and whole when he put it in again.

Example 3: A shepherd's tools

  1. A shepherd carried a staff, a long strong stick.
  2. It guided the sheep and helped him walk.
  3. Moses looked after Jethro's sheep.

Example 4: A job that feels too big

  1. Moses asked who he was to go to Pharaoh.
  2. He said he was not a good speaker.
  3. 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.

Words to know

staff
A long stick that a shepherd carries.
holy
Set apart, and very special to God.

Watch out

Try it

  1. Where did Moses go after he ran away?
  2. What did Moses take off, and why?
  3. What did Moses's staff become?
  4. Who did God send to help Moses speak?
Answers: 1. To Midian · 2. His sandals, because the ground was holy · 3. A snake · 4. His brother Aaron
Try at homeWith a grown-up, take off your shoes, stand quietly for a minute, and notice something wonderful.
For grown-upsTry 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.
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