Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

Download biblically sound, Christ-centered lesson plans built for immediate use.

The Seventh Plague: Hail and Fire (Exodus 9:13–35)

Pharaoh was still being stubborn and refused to let the Israelites go. So, the Lord told Moses to get up early and stand before Pharaoh again. God gave a strong warning: "I will send all my plagues against you so you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth." This time, God was going to send a terrible storm of very heavy hail—something that had never happened in the history of Egypt.

For this plague, God showed His mercy by giving a warning first. He told the Egyptians to bring their livestock and servants inside to safety. If they stayed out in the field, the hail would kill them. Some of Pharaoh's officials feared the word of the Lord and hurried their servants and cattle inside. But others ignored God's warning and left them outside. This shows that even in judgment, God offers a way of escape for those who will listen to God's Word.

Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder, hail, and lightning flashing down to the ground. It was a terrifying storm! The Bible says the hail struck everything in the fields—people, animals, and plants. It beat down the flax and barley crops because they were blooming. This specific detail about the crops matches the real agricultural calendar of ancient Egypt, showing the historical accuracy of the Bible.

However, in the land of Goshen where the people of Israel lived, there was no hail. God protected His people completely. When Pharaoh saw the storm, he was afraid. He called for Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned this time. The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong." He begged Moses to pray for the thunder to stop.

Moses agreed to pray so that Pharaoh would know the earth belongs to the Lord. Moses went out of the city, spread out his hands to the Lord, and the thunder and hail stopped immediately. But as soon as the storm was over, Pharaoh sinned again. He hardened his heart and would not let the people go, just as the Lord had said.

A Curious Question

God told the Egyptians exactly how to stay safe from the hail (by going inside). Why do you think some people still chose to leave their animals outside and ignore God?

Jesus Connection

This story shows a powerful picture of the gospel. God sent a judgment (the hail), but He also provided a shelter. Those who believed God's word and went inside the shelter were saved. Those who ignored the warning were destroyed. In the same way, Jesus Christ is our shelter. We have all sinned, but God sent Jesus to take the punishment for us. When we trust in Jesus, we are safe from judgment, just like the people who went into the shelter were safe from the storm.

Discussion Questions

  • Why did God decide to warn the Egyptians before sending the hail this time?
  • Pharaoh admitted he was wrong ("I have sinned"), but then changed his mind. What is the difference between being sorry you got caught and truly being sorry for your sin?
  • The Bible tells us the flax and barley were destroyed, but the wheat was not. Why do you think God put such specific details in the Bible?
  • How does this story show us that God is in control of the weather and nature?
  • If you had been an Egyptian official who heard Moses' warning, what would you have done?

“So What” What Can I do?

We learned that listening to God brings safety and peace.

  • God warned the people to go inside for safety. Is there something your parents or the Bible warns you about for your own safety that you need to obey?
  • Pharaoh hardened his heart again after the trouble stopped. When things are going well for you, do you still remember to pray and obey God?
  • God protected the Israelites in Goshen. When you feel scared, how can you remind yourself that God is with you?

Memorize God's Word

"The earth is the Lord's." (Exodus 9:29)

Hand Motions:

  • "The earth" (Make a large circle with your arms over your head to represent the world.)
  • "is the Lord's." (Point both index fingers high up toward heaven.)
  • (Exodus 9:29) (Open your hands like a book to represent the Bible.)

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, You are the powerful God who made the earth and controls the storms. Thank You for being righteous and holy. We thank You for sending Jesus to be our shelter so we can be safe and forgiven. Please help us to have hearts that are soft and ready to obey You, not hard like Pharaoh's. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Craft or Activity: Hailstorm in a Jar

Kids will create a sensory jar that mimics the swirling hail and fire to remember God's power and protection.

Materials Checklist:

Instructions:

  1. Fill the jar about 3/4 full with baby oil.
  2. In a separate cup, mix some white paint with a little water. Pour this into the jar (it will sink to the bottom like hailstones).
  3. Add a few drops of red food coloring to represent the fire that ran along the ground.
  4. Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into pieces and drop them in.
  5. Watch as the bubbles carry the white "hail" and red "fire" up and down in a storm!
  6. Discuss how scary the real storm was, but how God kept His people safe.

Effective Teaching Techniques

  • Apologetics Moment: When reading about the flax and barley, pause and explain that archaeologists know these crops grow in Egypt at that exact time of year. This helps older kids understand the Bible is historically true.
  • Class Management: During the craft, ensure the jars are sealed tight if they are taking them home, or treat it as a demonstration if you are worried about spills.
  • Visual Aid: Use a split board or screen. On one side put a picture of a terrible storm (Egypt), and on the other side a picture of a calm sunny day (Goshen) to show the difference God makes.