Glory Proclaimed – Moses and Pharaoh (Exodus 1-14, key: 9:16. 12:38)
After Joseph died, the descendants of Jacob grew from a family of 70 to a nation of 2-3 million. To gain control over the Israelites (also called Hebrews), Egypt’s pharaoh enslaved them and treated them harshly. Through Moses, God set about freeing His people. When Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, God sent ten plagues to strike the Egyptians’ water supply, crops, animals, and families. God declared that through the plagues, the whole world would know the mighty hand of the Lord. After the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh let the Israelite people go. As they fled Egypt, many others went with them, wanting to be a part of God’s people.
Bible: Read Exodus 6:6-8, 9:16, and 12:38 with your family.
Family Activity 1
Teaching Time: 10 minutes
Materials: none
Invite family members to demonstrate one way they are physically strong (running, jumping, arm wrestling, lifting something heavy, etc.) Which Olympic events demonstrate physical strength? Discuss the difference in scope between being a winner in your family and taking first prize in the Olympics. God had two purposes in sending the plagues on the Egyptians. God wanted to demonstrate loving concern to His own people – “I hear your cries, I know your situation, and I’m going to rescue you.” (Exodus 6:6-8) God’s bigger purpose was to show the whole world that He is God Almighty. (Exodus 9:16) Each plague was like an Olympic event in which God proved Himself more powerful than Pharaoh and all the Egyptian gods and goddesses. God’s authority is not limited to one group of people. God reigns over the entire world and all peoples.
Discuss:
- How did God demonstrate His power in Egypt? In what ways does God demonstrate His power in our lives today?
- How can our family share God’s power to save with people who do not know Jesus?
Family Activity 2
Teaching Time: 15 minutes
Materials: nail, 3 x 5 card, scotch tape, magnet, paper clips
Lay a nail on the card. Attach it to the card by placing a strip of tape horizontally across the entire length of the nail. Choose one end of the magnet to use. Stroke this end of the magnet across the length of the nail, lifting the magnet away from the nail after each stroke. Take turns repeating this action, making sure to always use the same end of the magnet. After about 10 minutes, remove the tape from the nail. Hold the nail close to the paper clips and watch what happens. You have created a new magnet. Its force attracts metal objects to it. As a result of God’s demonstration of power, other people living in Egypt were attracted to the true God and chose to join the Israelites when they left Egypt. (Exodus 12:38)
Discuss:
- How was the nail magnetized? Discuss how the nail gained its power from being in close contact with the original magnet. What can we learn from this that applies to our relationship with Jesus?
- How can our family live in a way that attracts other people to God?
Pray:
Ask God to make your family “God magnets” through your speech, attitudes, and behavior.
