God Renews His Great Promise to Moses
(Exodus 6:1–7:7)

After Moses went to Pharaoh and asked him to let God’s people go, things only got worse! Pharaoh got angry and made the Israelite slaves work even harder. The Israelites complained to Moses, and Moses felt confused and discouraged. He asked God, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why did you ever send me?”

But God answered Moses with strong, powerful words. God told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. Because of my great power, he will let them go!” God reminded Moses that He is the great "I AM," the Almighty God. He said, "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them."

God then gave Moses the most amazing reminder of His promise. He told Moses He had heard the groans of the Israelites, and He had remembered His covenant - His special, unbreakable promise - to their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This promise was that He would give them the land of Canaan.

Then, God said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. And I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I am the LORD!'"

Moses told the Israelites everything God had said, but they were so sad and tired from the cruel, hard work that they would not listen to him. They couldn't even believe the good news! God then told Moses to go back to Pharaoh, but Moses worried. "The people of Israel won't listen to me, so how will Pharaoh listen to me? I am a poor speaker!" God patiently told Moses and his brother Aaron exactly what to say to Pharaoh. God said that He would use Moses and Aaron to show Pharaoh His power. Aaron was three years older than Moses. God told Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet." This meant God would speak through Moses, and Aaron would speak the words to Pharaoh. God told Moses and Aaron to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go so they could worship the one true God!

A Curious Question

When things got harder for the Israelites, they felt discouraged and stopped listening to Moses, even though he had good news from God. Have you ever felt so worried or sad that it was hard to hear the good news that God loves you and has a plan?

Jesus Connection

In this story, God uses the word "redeem," which means to buy back or rescue someone from slavery. God promised to redeem the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This rescue points us straight to Jesus!

We are all born as slaves, not to Pharaoh, but to sin. Sin keeps us separated from God. But Jesus, the great "I AM" who is God Almighty, came to earth and died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. He rose again, proving He conquered sin and death. He is our great Redeemer! Through Jesus, we are rescued from our slavery to sin and brought into God's family to be His people, just like He promised.

Discussion Questions

  • What did God promise to do for the Israelites? (He gave them seven promises, like bringing them out of Egypt and taking them as His people.)
  • Why did the Israelites not want to listen to Moses when he shared God’s good news? What feelings do you think they had?
  • What does it mean that God remembered His covenant (His promise)? Why is it good to know that God never forgets His promises?
  • How did God help Moses with his fear of speaking to Pharaoh? How does God help you when you feel scared or unsure about something?

“So What” What Can I do?

1. Trust God's Promises: The Israelites forgot God's promises when things got hard. When life gets tough or sad, where can you go to remember God's promises? (Hint: The Bible!)

2. Share the Good News: God told Moses and Aaron what to say to Pharaoh. Who is one person you could tell about the good news of Jesus being your Redeemer this week?

3. Talk to God About Your Fear: Moses was afraid because he didn't think he was a good speaker. When you are scared or unsure, talk to God in prayer, knowing He will give you what you need, just like He helped Moses.

Memorize God's Word

"I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians." - Exodus 6:6a

Hand Motions:

  • "I am the LORD": Point both hands up to heaven.
  • "and I will bring you out": Cup hands over your head, then sweep both arms out and forward.
  • "from under the burdens": Hunch shoulders and pretend to carry a heavy weight, looking down.
  • "of the Egyptians": Point out with one hand to symbolize 'them' or the enemy.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for being the great I AM and the LORD who always keeps His promises. We are sorry for the times we forget your good news when things get hard or scary. Help us to always remember that Jesus is our Redeemer and that you have brought us into your family. Give us the courage to speak for you, just like you helped Moses and Aaron. Amen.

Craft or Activity: "I AM the LORD" Promise Banner

Kids will create a mini banner listing God's promises from the lesson (Exodus 6:6-7) to remind them that God is trustworthy, even when life is hard.

Materials Checklist

Instructions

  1. Cut 5-7 small rectangles (about 2 inches by 3 inches) from the construction paper for each child. These will be the "promise flags."
  2. On the first flag, have the kids write or trace the key phrase: "I AM the LORD."
  3. On the remaining flags, have the kids write one short phrase from God's promises in Exodus 6:6-7, such as: "Bring you out" (from slavery), "Deliver you," "Redeem you," "Take you as My people," and "Give you the land."
  4. Use the hole punch to make two holes in the top corners of each flag.
  5. Help the kids thread the yarn or string through the holes to connect the flags in order, creating a mini promise banner.
  6. Encourage the children to hang their banner somewhere they will see it often to remember that God is the LORD who keeps His promises.

Effective Teaching Techniques

  • Visualize the Promises: As you list God's seven "I will" promises from the lesson, hold up one finger for each promise. Have the kids repeat the key verb (bring out, deliver, redeem, take, bring in) after you. This engages their memory and reinforces the commitment of God.
  • Acting Out Discouragement: When describing the discouraged Israelites, have the kids slump their shoulders and make a tired, sad face. When God gives His powerful promise, have them stand up straight, throw their hands up (like the "I am the LORD" motion), and say the phrase loudly. This helps them feel the contrast between their fear and God's power.
  • Age Variation (Younger): For younger children, focus mainly on the three key actions: God will Bring them out, Deliver them, and Take them as His people. Use the craft time to just draw a simple picture of a sad person becoming happy because God rescued them.