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Moses and the Burning BushExodus 3:1-15

Tear off for easy planning.

CHOOSE YOUR OPTIONSEach option below is designed to last 10 minutes. The option used to tell the Bible story is designated with the Bible image. Always do this option first in your large-group time. Use the chart below to plan the rest of your large-group time in whatever order fits your needs. Check the options you want to use.

Large Group YOU’LL NEED Bible • TV or video projection unit (VPU) • DVD player • CD player

Choose Your Options Get Your Supplies Planning Notes

Welcome Connect With Groups

• Large-GroupDVD

Praise & Worship Sing It Out

• Large-GroupDVD

Skit Moses Monologue

• Large-GroupDVD• chair• 1stripofredandand1stripoforangecrepepaperper

child• Bible-timesrobe• sandals• photocopyofMoses Monologue (p. 12)

Object Lesson God Never Changes

• Large-GroupDVD• boxfan• 2-footstripsofredandorangecrepepaper• tape

Activity Loops of Love

• Large-GroupDVD• markers• constructionpaper• scissors• tape

Experiment Tippy Stick

• Large-GroupDVD• 2rulersorpaintstickspersmallgroup• yardstick

Bibles • Bible Memory Makers® • “Living Inside Out Every Day!” handouts Small Group WHAT GROUPS WILL NEED

Teach the Key Verse anytime during large group.

Preschool Supplies Lower Elementary Supplies Upper Elementary Supplies

• 1paperplateperchild• markers• sheetsofred,yellow,andorangetissue

paper• tape• 12-inchchenillewires• scissors

• modelingclayforeachchild • one11½x1-inchstripofpaperforeach

child • pencils• tape

Key Verse

t The Point u

Large-Group

Lesson

1

“God is the King over all the earth.” —Psalm 47:7

We know God never changes.

Living Inside Out 5Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Star Quest granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Lead

er Ins

ight

sCopy this page, and distribute to your leaders.

Exodus 3:1-15

A CALL TO ACTIONSometimes it takes drastic measures to get our attention. God got Moses’ attention with a burning bush that didn’t burn up. Moses investigated and listened when God spoke. God had heard his people’s cries from Egypt and was ready to send the leader he had prepared to rescue them. As an example of God’s perfect plan, the mountain where God met Moses at the burning bush is the same mountain on which God would deliver the Ten Commandments to Moses years later.

A RELUCTANT HEROAlthough he still identified with the Hebrew people, Moses didn’t see himself as someone who could rescue them. Yet God knew that Moses was the one he wanted to use to free his people. Moses’ objection was met with a simple statement from God: “I will be with you.”

ETERNAL ATTRIBUTESThe path God described for Moses to follow was a difficult one. Moses would face opposition from his own people as well as from Pharaoh. To Moses’ many objections, God responded with a reminder of who God is: “I AM.” He is the God of Moses’ forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Moses realized that he was in God’s holy presence and that his God had chosen him, he was willing to obey. And when he obeyed in faith, God used him mightily.

While you haven’t been called by God to lead an entire nation out of bondage, you have been called by God to do something immensely important—help children learn how to make Jesus the center of their lives. You’ve been commissioned by Jesus himself to share your faith and tell others about his saving grace.

Like Moses, there may be times you’re tempted to ask, “Why me, God? I’m not skilled enough for the task.” But also like Moses, you can rest assured that God will be with you as you strive to fulfill your mission. Who can you tell about Jesus this week? Remember—the outcome of your mission is eternal, just like God himself.

LIVING INSIDE OUT

Moses and the Burning Bush

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Star Quest granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.comLiving Inside Out6

YOU’LL NEED

Allow 10 minutes

Easy Options:• SingalongwithDVD

lyrics and motions.

• SingalongwiththeCD.

• Showmediaslidesprovided on the CD.

Leader Tip

COUNT DOWNPlay one of the countdowns. Have children get with their small groups, and get them excited to worship!

GREETHave small-group leaders greet kids in their groups— especially guests.

ANNOUNCEMake any announcements (including birthdays), and collect offerings.

Large-Group

Lesson

1

YOU’LL NEED

Allow 5 minutes

Praise & Worship

Welcome

TV or VPU • DVD player • Large-Group DVD

Moses and the Burning BushExodus 3:1-15

SING“Living Inside Out” (Song 1)

“He’s the King” (Song 2)

“No Greater Love” (John 15:13) (Song 3)

“God of Great Wonders” (Psalm 77:14) (Song 7)

PRAYThank God because he never changes and is always with us, and also thank him that he has plans for our lives.

MAKE THE CONNECTIONSay: Who here has ever moved to a new house? That’s a big change! Maybe you’ve had to change schools, churches or even friends. Change can be hard sometimes. The Bible tells us about a man who learned about someone who never changes. Moses had an unusual encounter with God and learned that u we know God never changes. Let’s meet Moses!

TV or VPU • DVD player • Large-Group DVD


Allow 10 minutes

YOU’LL NEED

SkitTV or VPU • DVD player • Large-Group DVD • chair • 1 strip of red and 1 strip of orange crepe paper per child • Bible-times robe • sandals • photocopy of Moses Monologue (p. 12)

Moses Monologue

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Prepare Ahead Use an outgoing and energetic adult volunteer for the role of Moses.

Leader TipINTRODUCEGive each child two strips of crepe paper, one red and one orange, and then introduce Moses to the group. Explain that every time kids hear the word fire during the story, they can wave their crepe paper strips in the air as crackling “flames.”

ACTHave your volunteer act out the Moses Monologue.

DISCUSS IN GROUPS DVD Moses Monologue Questions

Cue the question screen for kids to answer each of the following:

• What do you think about what happened to Moses?

• Why do you think God spoke to Moses through a burning bush?

• When God tells you things, what do you do?

MAKE THE CONNECTIONSay: Through the burning bush, God revealed a lot about himself. For one thing, he told Moses his eternal name: “I AM WHO I AM.” That means that God is eternal—he lives forever. He was the God of Abraham long ago, and the God of Moses, and he’s our God, too! In all that time, God has never changed, and he’ll never change in the future. Like Moses, u we know God never changes and he lives forever.

Living Inside Out8 Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Star Quest granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Allow 10 minutes

YOU’LL NEED

God Never Changes

Ob

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Object LessonBible • TV or VPU • DVD player • Large-Group DVD • box fan • 2-foot strips of red and orange crepe paper • tape

Prepare AheadTape the strips of crepe paper to the box fan, and then test it by turning the fan on. Double-check that the crepe paper is securely fastened.

Leader TipINTRODUCESay: God spoke to Moses through a burning bush. Turn on the fan so the crepe paper “fire” strips blow. Today one of the big ways God speaks to us is through his Word, the Bible. God is always the same, no matter how he speaks to us. Set the Bible in front of the fan. Say: Let’s play a game to show how God stays the same.

PLAY Say: If you’ve ever disobeyed your parents, run over to that corner of the room. Indicate a corner and allow time. If you’ve ever had questions about God, hop over to that corner of the room. Indicate a different corner and allow time. If you’ve ever been scared, skip to that corner. Indicate another corner and allow time. And if you’ve ever been confused about how to handle a situation, take baby steps to the last corner of the room. Allow time.

DISCUSS IN GROUPS DVD God Never Changes Questions


• As you answered the questions and moved to different corners, what happened to the Bible?

• Tell whether you think the way God acts depends on the way you act.

• How do you know you can count on God in every situation?

MAKE THE CONNECTIONSay: In our game, the Bible stayed the same no matter where you were or how you answered. It’s the same in real life. It doesn’t matter if you sin, or you’re scared, or you’re confused—God stays the same! He never changes, so we can count on him in any and every situation. Moses discovered that God is eternal—he stays the same forever. And u we know God never changes!

77Living Inside Out 9Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Star Quest granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Allow 10 minutes

YOU’LL NEED


Prepare AheadCut the construction paper into strips, about 2 inches wide and 8 inches long.

Ac

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Activity

TV or VPU • DVD player •Large-Group DVD • markers • construction paper • scissors • tape

Loops of LoveGET READY Hand each small group markers, tape, and construction paper strips. Say: God never changes. Let’s take a minute to think of some things that never change about God.

CHALLENGEOn each paper strip, have kids write a quality of God that never changes or something that God does that never changes. For example, kids might write, “God loves us” or “God keeps me safe.” Have kids write as many ideas as they can think of. Younger kids can draw something to represent the quality or leaders can help them write their ideas down.

LINKHave kids in each small group tape the paper strips into loops to form a chain. Let kids say aloud what’s written or drawn on each strip as they add it to the chain.

DISCUSS IN GROUPS DVD Loops of Love Questions


• Talk about one of the things you thought of that never changes about God.

• How does knowing that God never changes help you?

• What helps you remember that God never changes?

MAKE THE CONNECTIONHave small groups link all their paper chains together to form one large loop. Say: Our paper chains have made one big circle. Just as a circle has no beginning and no end, God has no beginning or end. He always was and always will be. When I count to three, let’s hold our big paper circle in the air and all shout, “Thank you, God!” Ready? One, two, three! After kids shout, collect the paper chain. If you have room, tape the chain to a wall in the shape of a heart to remind kids that u we know God never changes.

Leader Tip

Allow 10 minutes

YOU’LL NEED


TV or VPU • DVD player • Large-Group DVD • 2 rulers or paint sticks per small group • yardstick

Exp

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Experiment

Tippy Stick

Fun conversations for families on the go!

FUN FOR FAMILIES

Gabbit™: Family Faith EditionThe fun gadget that grows families closer to each other and to God!Building a strong Christian family doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Now you can engage kids in fun, meaningful conversations every day…without having to change one minute of your schedule.

Gabbit is an electronic device with hundreds of family-friendly questions. There are no rules, no instructions—just pick a category, push a button, and let the fun conversations begin!

It goes with you wherever you go—at meal times, driving around town, at bedtime, on vacation—anytime, anywhere!

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100s of questions to jumpstart conversations!

This or That: Would you rather live to age 35 as a millionaire, or to age 85 as a poor person?

Favorites: What’s your favorite thing to pray for?

What if?: If you could jump into any book, which one would you choose?

Friends & Family: What’s the best fi ve minutes your family ever spent together?

Zingers: What do you think is the hardest thing about being a kid?

Order today on Group.com or call 800.447.1070!

CHALLENGEGive each small group two rulers or paint sticks, but keep the yardstick. Say: Moses expected the burning bush to burn up and disappear. But that’s not what happened. Let’s try an experiment to see if we can predict what will happen. In your groups, do what I do. Balance the ends of the yardstick on your two index fingers. This is my Tippy Stick. What do you think will happen if I slowly move one finger toward the center of the yardstick? Pause. Let’s experiment and see!

EXPERIMENTHave kids take turns in their group and experiment holding their stick like you’ve demonstrated and then sliding one of their fingers to the center. Allow about two minutes for everyone in groups to get a chance to experiment.

DEMONSTRATESlowly and without sudden movement, slide one finger toward the center of the yardstick. Though you’re only moving one finger, the other finger will also move along the yardstick. Soon both fingers will meet in the middle and the yardstick will still be balanced. Say: Wow! The yardstick didn’t tip. Have kids try again, encouraging them to move their fingers slowly.

DISCUSS IN GROUPS DVD Tippy Stick Questions


• Talk about why you thought the stick would or wouldn’t tip.

• How do you react when you think you know something—but then you’re surprised when it’s different?

• What surprises you about God?

MAKE THE CONNECTIONSay: Some of you might’ve thought the Tippy Stick would tip over, but it stayed balanced instead. In our experiment, the yardstick adjusted to its center of gravity. There was a logical explanation. But what happened to Moses was a miracle! The bush should’ve burned up and disappeared, but it didn’t. The God that performed a miracle for Moses is the same God today—and u we know God never changes.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Star Quest granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

YOU’LL NEED

Living Inside Out12

Large-Group

Lesson

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Star Quest granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

No need to memorize the script! A familiarity with it should be sufficient for your actor to read with expression and act with flair.

THE SCENEThe actual scene is unimportant.

THE SIMPLE SETUPA chair at center stage

THE CAST

•Moses(amaleadultorteenager,dressedinBible-timesrobeandsandals)

THE PROPS•chair

•crepe-paperstreamers

•Bible-timesrobe

•sandals

Moses Monologue

For this presentation, you’ll need only one actor to narrate a scripted story from the perspective of Moses. As Moses reads the script, he’ll pause each time he reads the word fire, while kids wave crepe-paper streamers.

1Leader TipTHE SKIT


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MOSESHi, I’m Moses. I want to tell you about the most amazing and awesome thing ever. It changed the way I think about God, and it may do the same for you!

One day while I was taking care of my sheep, something in the distance caught my eye.

Moses stands and shields his eyes, as if looking in the distance.

It looked as if something was on fire (kids respond). So I walked a little closer.

He takes a few hesitant steps.

And a little closer.

He takes a few more steps.

And I couldn’t believe my eyes! There was a burning bush. And I don’t mean just a little bit on fire (kids respond)—this thing was blazing!

He extends arms in air.

This was a 10-alarm fire (kids respond)! Flames everywhere! But that’s not the weirdest part. Even more amazing than a bush on fire (kids respond) in the wilderness was that this bush didn’t burn up! It just kept burning

and burning, but the fire (kids respond) didn’t burn the bush up. Now that’s weird! So I investigated this strange fire (kids respond). And here comes the

best part. As I walked toward this bush on fire (kids respond), I suddenly heard a loud and booming voice.

Moses speaks in a loud, deep voice.

“Moses! Moses!”

Moses speaks in a normal voice.

I looked all around, but I didn’t see anyone. All I saw was the fire (kids respond). And then it dawned on me—the voice belonged to God! So I

answered, “Here I am!” Then in that same voice, God said,


“Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”

ACTION! The scene opens with Moses sitting before the audience in a chair.

Tear off for easy planning.


Skit • L

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It sure was holy ground because God was right there, speaking to me. Then God spoke again, and I learned a lot about who God really is. God said,


“I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”


And that’s when it hit me—God never changes. He always stays the same. God was talking to me, but he was the same God who cared about my

father, and his father, and his father. God is God forever.

God said he was going to use me to help lead his people out of Egypt. I didn’t exactly think I was the guy for the job, you know what I mean? But you don’t argue with God’s voice talking to you from a bush that’s on fire (kids respond)! I said, “If I go tell the people that God sent me, they’ll ask

what your name is. What should I tell them?” And God answered,


“I AM WHO I AM…This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.”


Whoa! His eternal name! How cool is that? His name never changes, just as he never changes! So that’s why I’m telling you this story of the bush on fire

(kids respond) and how God spoke to me. I want you to understand that God never changes, just as he said. I don’t know about you, but that makes me

feel really safe.

Moses exits.

••

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