Grace Church Children’s Ministry ProgrammingCloud of WitnessesParent Partnership K-6Fall 2014 – Fall 2015

Moses :: Unit OverviewMoses was a man who faced many trials as he led God’s people. God showed up in his life in an unexpected way and called Moses to stand before Pharaoh and to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. God also used Moses to teach the people all of His commandments, statutes, and laws. Moses taught the people about the great blessings of God that would come as a result of obedience to His Word. During this unit, we will spend the first couple of weeks looking at how God called Moses to obey, and how in turn, Moses called the people to obey God. In Week 3, we’ll transition to Jesus as our example of perfect obedience. Although He had all the authority and power of God, He submitted Himself to the will of the Father in perfect obedience. Because of Jesus’ obedience, we have been given the chance to be reconciled with God.

We end this unit in kind of an unexpected way: By looking at Moses’ disobedience at the waters of Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-13). It is clear that God loved Moses deeply, and yet He remained faithful to His word. He had promised blessings to those who obeyed Him and discipline to those who disobeyed. Although Moses was used mightily by God, he was expected to heed the words of the Lord just like everyone else (Deuteronomy 28:1-57).

Obedience Definedobedience

compliance with an order, request, or law submission to another's authority biblically: doing what you are told, when you are told, with a willing (submissive) heart

Obedience to the Lord is crucial for every follower of Jesus. In order to walk with God, we must choose to obey Him, even in the little things. Even more than obedience, God wants us to serve Him with a willing heart (Philippians 2:14-15, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 9:7). Although he felt inadequate at first, Moses embraced the Lord’s call and sought to obey the Lord’s very specific directions for him and the people of Israel. He obeyed the will of the Lord in spite of his own doubts and the many trials that came.

Key Verse“You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you.” —Deuteronomy 6:17-18

Obedience in the Lives of Other SaintsThere are many men and women of faith who have lived lives of obedience to God.

Two of them followed God in obedience to the point of losing their lives while serving and honoring Him. These two were Jim Elliot, missionary to the Huaorani Indians of Ecuador, and Perpetua, a young woman in the early church who lived during a time of great persecution under the Roman authorities. Eric Liddell shocked the world with his choice to obey God by honoring the Sabbath and giving up the chance to compete in an event where he was expected to win an Olympic gold medal. Lastly, the prophet Jonah's life, like Moses', was not always marked by obedience, but God called him to bring about the repentance of the Ninevites.Grace Church Children’s Ministry Programming

Cloud of WitnessesParent Partnership K-6Fall 2014 - Fall 2015

Obedience in the Lives of Other Saints

Eric LiddellEric Henry Liddell was a man with a heart for God. He lived a life of obedience to God, even at great

personal sacrifice. Eric was training to run in the 100 meter and 200 meter races in the 1924 Olympic Games. However, the Olympic trial for the 100-meter run (his preferred race) was scheduled to take place on a Sunday. Eric shocked the world by refusing to run on a Sunday; he was committed to obey and honor the Lord on the Sabbath. Eric ran in the 200 and 400 meter races, taking bronze in the 200 and gold in the 400; all the while he gave all glory and praise to God. He continued to live a life of obedience, remaining in

China when WWII broke out. He sent his wife and kids ahead of him to Canada and stayed in a Japanese concentration camp and ultimately died there. His life of obedience to God was used to bring about the obedience of faith in the lives of many people.

PerpetuaPerpetua was a follower of Christ in the third century AD. She loved the Lord and her brothers and sisters in Christ deeply. She was from a wealthy family from the city of Carthage. Because she chose to follow Christ and be a part of the church, she was arrested and sentenced to death. At the time of her arrest, she was young, married, and had an infant son. Her father pleaded with her to renounce her faith and make a sacrifice (to the gods of the authorities) in order to save herself and care for her son. Perpetua refused to deny Christ and to please men - even her own father. Like Christ, her love for God was so great that she was willing to obey in the most difficult of circumstances, even if meant suffering and death. Her diary can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/perpetua.html

Jim Elliot Philip James "Jim" Elliot was an evangelical Christian who was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador. Years before this event, he entered college with a clear goal of committing himself entirely to God, and spent many years submitting to God’s leading in preparation for life on the mission field. Though ultimately killed by the people that he was trying to reach, we can see that his death reflects the heart of Christ: to be obedient to the will of God even

unto death. His obedience, and his death, helped pave the way for the Auca tribe to soften to the Truth of Jesus, and some eventually accepted Christ. "Rest in this: It is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call, or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you." –Jim Elliot

JonahGod chose Jonah to preach the Word of God and bring about repentance in the people of Ninevah. Jonah was not obedient at first. Although he was a prophet of the Lord, he had his own opinions about the people of Ninevah; he didn’t agree with God’s plan to show mercy toward such wicked people. He not only refused to preach to them, but he actually tried to run from God (Jonah 1:1-3). God disciplined Jonah and ultimately gave him a second chance. Jonah obeyed and the people repented (Jonah 3:3). Sadly, Jonah did not rejoice at this work of God, but rather complained to Him (Jonah 4:2-3). Jonah's disobedience, like Moses', shows us the importance of obedience and the discipline that comes when we choose not to obey.

Grace Church Children’s Ministry ProgrammingCloud of WitnessesParent Partnership K-6Fall 2014 – Fall 2015

Moses :: August 16 th :: Week 1 — Called to Obey

Background for Today's LessonFrom birth, Moses was set apart for a purpose. God chose to have a very special relationship with Moses and later referred to him as the most humble man on earth (Numbers 12:3). God distinguished him from other prophets in that he spoke face-to-face with Moses (Exodus 33:11). As Moses grew

older, God revealed His special calling on Moses’ life. This began at the burning bush when God first spoke to Moses. God used Moses to lead His people out of slavery, a task that required Moses to appear twelve times before Pharaoh. Each time the message was the same: “Let my people go.” God was faithful to deliver His people out of Egypt, but there was a long journey ahead of them that would test Moses’ obedience.

Today's LessonAs the Israelites finally left Egypt, God led them, with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to the edge of the Red Sea. At that same time, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened again and he set out with his army to find the Israelites and bring them back to Egypt. As Pharaoh’s army drew near, the people rebelled against Moses and Moses cried out to God. God’s response was, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground” (Exodus 14:15). Moses obeyed, and by God’s mighty hand His people were saved while Pharaoh and his armies were destroyed.

Key Concept: Moses obeyed God in spite of his own fears and doubts.

This Week at Home

Day Today’s Scripture Summary of Today’s Text

1 Exodus 3:1-10 God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, calling him to lead His people out.

2 Exodus 5:1-21; 7:6 Pharaoh tried to punish Moses for obeying God, but Moses obeyed anyway.

3 Exodus 13:17-22 God was with His people as they left Egypt.

4 Exodus 14:1-8 Pharaoh chased the Israelites; God asked them to trust Him.

5 Exodus 14:9-18 The people feared Pharaoh and his army, but Moses trusted.

6 Exodus 14:19-31 Moses obeyed, and God saved Israel while the Egyptians were destroyed.

7 Talk with your kids about what they learned at church today.

Grace Church Children’s Ministry ProgrammingCloud of WitnessesParent Partnership K-6Fall 2014 – Fall 2015

Moses :: August 23 rd :: Week 2 — Love and Obedience

Background for Today's LessonLast week, we learned from Moses’ example of obedience. Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It’s easy to look back and celebrate God’s deliverance and to think about how awe-inspiring it must have been for Moses to stand before Pharaoh or to see the Red Sea parted. However, as we studied the life of Moses, we learned that there was a humble, and at times fearful, man behind these mighty acts of deliverance. Moses was called to trust God and obey Him in all things. God’s leadership in his life continued as Moses led the people for 40 years in the desert and prepared them to settle in a land of their own.

Today's LessonIn today’s lesson, we’ll teach the kids that God was looking for more than obedience from His people. Moses learned this lesson as he led the people of Israel for many years. Time and again, God asked Moses to walk by faith and to lead boldly and courageously, even in the face of tremendous adversity. Through this process, Moses came to know God more deeply and personally. This relationship paralleled the work that God was doing among His people. God wasn’t just providing for His people, He was revealing himself to them. They depended on Him in the wilderness because they had to, but their obedience would be tested even more once they experienced the blessing of the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy, which means “Second Law,” records God’s commands to His people at the end of this time of wandering in the desert. Moses challenged the people to love the Lord with all of their heart, to walk in obedience to Him, and to hold fast to His commands.

Key Concept: We can obey God without loving him, but the best kind of obedience is motivated by love.

This Week at Home

Day Today’s Scripture Summary of Today’s Text

1 Exodus 19:1-8 God shared His intentions for His people, and they said they would obey.

2 Deuteronomy 4:5-9; 32:46-47

Moses told the blessings of obedience. The Israelites are commanded to teach their children God’s ways.

3 Deuteronomy 6:1-9 The Israelites are told yet again to teach their children God’s ways.

4 Deuteronomy 10:12-13 It is good to obey.

5 1 John 2:17 He who does the will of God lives forever.

6 Exodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments – God wants our obedience.

7 Talk with your kids about what they learned at church today.Grace Church Children’s Ministry ProgrammingCloud of WitnessesParent Partnership K-6Fall 2014 – Fall 2015

Moses :: August 30 th :: Week 3 — Obedient Even to Death on a Cross

Background for Today's LessonThis week we will take a break from Moses’ life and focus on Jesus. Although Moses' life was marked with obedience, Jesus' life exemplified perfect obedience to the Father. He chose to come to earth in humility, to be born a helpless child, to be tempted in every way, and yet to live without sin (Hebrews 4:15). At the end of His time on earth, Jesus faced the greatest test of His obedience.

Today's LessonAlthough Jesus was the Son of God, Hebrews 5:8 is clear: “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” The greatest test of Jesus’ obedience came in the final hours of His life, when it was time to complete the work of redemption by bearing our sins upon the cross. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded three times with the Father to "take this cup from (Him),"

and yet His last words were, "not my will but yours be done" (Matthew 26:39, 42). He chose to humble Himself and obey the Father even though it meant death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). As with all of the character qualities that we have studied this year, Jesus is our perfect example. “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9).

Key Concept: Jesus is our perfect example of obedience.

Day Today’s Scripture Summary of Today’s Text

1 Matthew 26:36-46 Jesus pleads with the Father at Gethsemane and ultimately accepts the Father’s will.

2 Philippians 2:5-11 Christ was obedient even to death on a cross.

3 Hebrews 5:8-9 Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered.

4 Romans 5:19 Through the obedience of Christ many were made righteous.

5 John 6:38 He who does the will of God lives forever.

6 1 John 2:3-6 Those who know Jesus will obey Him.

7 Talk with your kids about what they learned at church today.This Week at Home

Grace Church Children’s Ministry ProgrammingCloud of WitnessesParent Partnership K-6Fall 2014 – Fall 2015

Moses :: September 6 th :: Week 4 — Moses’ Disobedience

Background for Today's LessonThis week we return to Moses and the Israelites as they continued on their journey to the Promised Land. Though God was leading them every step of the way, their journey was full of challenges and trials. Not long after God parted the Red Sea, the people camped at place known as “Rephidim,” where there was no water for them to drink. They argued with Moses and demanded that he provide water for them (Exodus 17:2-3). Moses cried out to the Lord and God told him to "strike the rock” so that water would “come out of it for the people to drink" (Exodus 17:1-7). Moses obeyed, and the Lord provided water.

Today's LessonIn today’s lesson, many years had passed and God’s people were in the wilderness of Kadesh where they faced a familiar problem—no water! Again, the people reacted with outrage and fear. They opposed Moses and Aaron, complaining that they would rather have died than remain in the wilderness (Numbers 20:3-5). Again, Moses and Aaron sought the Lord, but God’s instructions to Moses were different this time: “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” (Numbers 20:8). However, instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck it twice with his staff. Water came forth and the people and animals were able to drink. God was not pleased with Moses’ disobedience, and the consequences were great; neither Moses not Aaron would be allowed to lead the people into the Promised Land (Number 20:12). In one simple verse, we are reminded of the grave consequences of disobedience, even for God’s chosen servants.

Key Concept: The Lord disciplines us for disobedience.

This Week at Home

Day Today’s Scripture Summary of Today’s Text

1 Numbers 20:7-11 God instructed Moses, but Moses disobeyed and struck the rock.

2 Numbers 14:18 God is slow to anger and abounding in love.

3 Deuteronomy 32:48-52

God made it clear that there are consequences for Moses’ disobedience at the rock.

4 Proverbs 19:16 Keep the Lord’s commandments and live. Despising them may lead to death.

5 Deuteronomy 8:5Proverbs 3:11-12 The Lord disciplines those He loves.

6 Hebrews 12:7-13 Further wisdom about the Lord’s discipline and encouragement to persevere.

7 Talk with your kids about what they learned at church today.