Guess what? We're skipping ahead again! At least 64 years (about the time between Joseph's death and Moses' birth).
Exodus 3-4, God Frees: Moses & the Burning Bush
This story begins when in Egypt where the Hebrews, God's people, were enslaved. Remember Joseph in Egypt? He was powerful and important. But these people, God's people, are suffering.
The Egyptians had other gods and goddesses, and the Hebrews didn't really know Yahweh God for themselves. Egyptians thought the sun god and the river god and the rain god were in charge of them. So the Hebrews probably wondered who could save them!
Outside Egypt there's a place called Midian. A man named Moses lives there taking care of sheep. He's actually a Hebrew, but some of you may remember he was raised as an Egyptian in Pharaoh's own house!
Moses did a bad thing in Egypt and had to run away. There are a lot of parts of this story that ar interesting, but we are going to skip ahead to the part where Moses is on a mountain in Midian.
Next to him is a fire. It's a bush on fire. And it isn't burning up! AND it's talking!
What is that voice coming from the bush? Who could be speaking?
Well, hopefully the kids will learn the rest of this story on Sunday! God is with Moses and makes Moses a promise.
MAIN IDEA(S): God frees, God listens, God is with us, and God cares about injustice!
WONDER: I wonder what God's voice sounded like coming from the burning bush?
I wonder what Moses was most worried about when it came to God's message?
If you could pick a way for God to appear, what would you pick?
PRAY:
Last week we prayed an Ignatian prayer, and this week we will practice the Examen.
Remember a happy time in the last couple days. God was with you.
Remember somewhere you went. God was with you.
Remember a mad or sad time. God was with you.
God's name, Yahweh, means "I'll be there."
Breathe in and say (or think) You are with me.
Breathe out and say (or think) I am not alone.
Breathe in, You are with me.
Breathe out, I am not alone.
Again, one more time.
Amen!
Podcast:
There are two Ask away Episodes for this story. The Exodus part 1. This Bush is on Fire!
These are short episodes, great for car rides with kids!
Here is the schedule of lessons:
NOVEMBER
11/3 – God Frees: The People Cross the Red Sea, Exodus 5-15
11/10 – God is Good: Manna in the Wilderness, Exodus 16
11/17 – God Reshapes the People: The Law pt. 1
11/24 – Sabbath, Festivals, and Jubilee: The Law pt. 2
Then for Advent we might take a break and get back into it in 2025!
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