The Lord Delivered Moses and His People.
Israel goes out of Egypt—Israel passes through the Red Sea on dry ground—The Lord overthrows the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
Old Testament Scripture Stories “The Passover”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 14–17” Parting the Red Sea was a miracle that showed Moses and the Israelites how powerful the Lord is. Knowing about His power can help the children trust Him.
- Think of ways to share the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in an interesting and memorable way. For example, you or another ward member could dress up like Moses to tell the story from Exodus 14:5, 9–10, 13–16, 19–22. The children could pretend that the chairs are the Red Sea, and they could follow the person portraying Moses as he makes a path between them. Or the children could pretend to be the water and move to separate sides of the room as Moses divides them. Emphasize that the Lord gave Moses the power to part the sea so the Israelites could be delivered from captivity.
- Invite the children to color the activity page as you review with them the story from Exodus 14:5–22. Then they could work together to tell the story using the activity page.
Old Testament Coloring Book “Parting the Red Sea”
- “Moses Leads the Children of Israel” (May 2011 and June 2006 Friend)
A folding image of Moses parting the Red Sea.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 14–17”
As you read Exodus 14:1–10, imagine how the Israelites might have felt as they saw Pharaoh’s army closing in. Perhaps you feel that you need a miracle to survive a difficult challenge you are facing.
Your family members might enjoy trying to “divide” the water in a bowl or a bathtub, as Moses divided the Red Sea. Help them understand that the Red Sea could not be divided without the power of God. How have we seen God’s power in our lives and the lives of our ancestors?
Liahona April 2022 “Jesus Christ Is Our Savior” Stand Still and Have Faith
With the Lord’s help, Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. They were frightened because they were trapped by the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army was chasing after them. “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13).
- Display a picture of the parting of the Red Sea. Read together Exodus 14:21–29. Note the actions in those verses.
- Role-play the parting of the Red Sea, using the actions above. Play until everyone has had a chance to play the parts they want.
Discussion: How did the children of Israel exercise faith by doing what the Lord commanded? How can we exercise faith when we experience challenges in our lives?
Friend April 2022 “Moses Parts the Red Sea” Script to act out Moses parting the Red Sea.
Friend April 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Act out the above story and then sing “Redeemer of Israel” (Hymns, no. 6)
I Can Learn to Always Follow the Spirit.
Moses knew by revelation how to lead the Israelites across the Red Sea (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3). How can this story help the children you teach learn to act on personal revelation?
- Display the picture of Moses parting the Red Sea in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Ask the children to review Exodus 14:5–22 and share something they know about the story. What does Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3 add to our understanding of the story? Tell about an experience when the Holy Ghost told you something in your mind or heart, and invite the children to talk about their experiences.
- Remind the children of the story of Nephi following the Spirit when he went to get the brass plates (see 1 Nephi 4:1–6). Help the children see that Moses also had to follow the Spirit when he led his people across the Red Sea. Help the children write a new verse to “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21) about how the Lord provided a way for Moses when he showed courage and followed the Spirit. Sing the new verse together.
Additional Resources:
Latter Day Kids “God Parts the Red Sea” Lesson ideas
The Lord Will Provide For My Needs.
The children of Israel sing the song of Moses—They extol the Lord as a man of war and rejoice in their deliverance from Egypt—The waters of Marah are healed—The Lord promises to free Israel from the diseases of Egypt.
Israel murmurs for want of bread and lusts for the fleshpots of Egypt—The Lord rains bread from heaven and sends quail for meat—Israel is given manna each day, except the Sabbath, for forty years.
Israel murmurs for want of water—Moses smites a rock in Horeb, and water gushes forth—Aaron and Hur uphold Moses’ hands so that Joshua prevails against Amalek.
Old Testament Stories “The Israelites in the Wilderness” Video and Illustrations
Friend April 2022 “Moses and the Manna”
Exodus 15:23–25; 16:14–15; 17:1–6
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 14–17” Parting the Red Sea was a miracle that showed Moses and the Israelites how powerful the Lord is. Knowing about His power can help the children trust Him.
The accounts of the Lord providing food and water for the Israelites in the wilderness teach us that He can provide for our needs. If we turn to Jesus Christ, He can help us during difficult times in our lives, just as He helped the children of Israel.
- Help the children act out the events in Exodus 15:23–25; 16:14–15; 17:1–6, pretending to be Moses or the Israelites. If possible, bring an object to help tell each story, such as a branch (to heal the water at Marah), a jar or pot (to fill with manna), and a stick and rock (for the water at Horeb). How did God take care of the Israelites? How does He take care of us each day?
- Briefly share the stories in Exodus 15:23–25; 16:14–15; 17:1–6 (see also “The Israelites in the Wilderness” in Old Testament Stories). As you share, invite the children to draw pictures of each story. What do we learn about God from these stories?
- Divide the class into pairs or small groups, and assign each group to read one of the following passages: Exodus 15:23–25; 16:14–15; 17:1–6. Ask the children in each group to draw pictures representing what they read in these verses, and then ask other class members to guess what they have drawn. Help the children identify what these stories teach about Jesus Christ. What trials do people have today? How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help us with our trials?
- As you review these stories, ask the children why bread and water were so important to the children of Israel. What would have happened if they hadn’t had these things? Help the children understand that the bread and water of the sacrament are spiritually necessary to us (see John 4:13–14; 6:35, 48–51). You might ask the children to share their feelings about the sacrament.
Friend November 2004 “Remember the Sabbath Day” Also story activity can be found at Teaching Children the Gospel “Sabbath Day Lesson 8”
Media Library “The Gathering of the Manna”
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 14–17”
Reading Exodus 16:1–5 and 17:1–7 could lead to a discussion about the Savior as the Bread of Life, as Living Water, and as our Rock. How do these stories remind us of what Jesus Christ does for us? As part of your discussion, you might read John 4:10–14; 6:29–35, 48–51; Helaman 5:12; Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79.
Additional Resources:
- Lesson 20: The Israelites Receive Food from Heaven,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 85–89
Purpose: To help each child observe the Sabbath as a day of worship and joy - For the Strength of Youth April 2022 “Manna”
- Institute: Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel “Exodus 11–19”
I Can Sustain Our Prophet.
Israel murmurs for want of water—Moses smites a rock in Horeb, and water gushes forth—Aaron and Hur uphold Moses’ hands so that Joshua prevails against Amalek.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 14–17” The children of Israel were victorious in the battle against Amalek only when Moses had his hands raised in the air. What can we learn about sustaining our leaders from this story?
- Invite three children to stand at the front of the room and represent Moses, Aaron, and Hur while you tell the story from Exodus 17:8–16. What can we do today to help our prophet, just as Aaron and Hur helped the prophet Moses?
- Display a picture of the living prophet, and ask the children who he is. Help the children remember some of the things that the prophet has taught us recently. Ask the children to share some of the ways they are following the prophet.
Sustaining leaders involves more than just a raised hand—it means that we stand behind them, pray for them, accept assignments and callings from them, hearken to their counsel, and refrain from criticizing them. (Come Follow Me for Aaronic Priesthood “What does it mean to sustain my Church leaders?”)
Friend October 2001 “Sustaining the Prophet”
[The prophet] speaks to us at least three times during general conference—at the beginning of conference (Saturday morning), at the end of conference (Sunday afternoon), and, usually, during the Sunday morning session. Listen to what he says, then write down counsel he gives us and examples he uses from scriptures, his own life, and Church history.
Write down ways you will sustain him by obeying his counsel from the Lord.
Choose symbols that illustrate his counsel and how you will obey it, and glue them next to what you have written for steps 2 and 3. If he talks about something for which you find no symbol, draw one of your own.
Friend October 2004 “I Can Sustain the Prophet” Cut out the strip of pictures on this page and cut them apart. Read each sentence, find the picture/word for the missing word, and glue it in place.
Friend November 2019 “Dear Student Dictionary” After President Nelson’s special youth devotional, Matthew looked for ways to be a youth-battalion member. He was kind to others and stood up for kids being teased. After President Nelson’s conference talk about calling the church by its correct name, he wrote a letter to a student dictionary that used the name “Mormons” and explained what the correct name of the church was.
- Sing together a few verses of “Follow the Prophet,” including the last verse (Children’s Songbook, 110–11).
We Are Blessed as We Sustain Our Church Leaders.
- To help the children review the story in Exodus 17:8–16, write on the board: Who helped Moses during the battle? What did they do? What was the result? Invite the children to look for answers in the verses. What does this story teach about how we can help God’s kingdom be successful? What can we do to support, sustain, and follow our Church leaders?
- Invite the children to read Exodus 17:8–16 and draw a picture of what they read. Encourage them to write on their drawing a message they learn from the story. Why is this an important message for us today?
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 14–17” You might act out the story of Aaron and Hur holding up the hands of Moses and discuss how this could symbolize how we sustain those whom God has called to lead us. You might also contrast the example of Aaron and Hur with the Israelites’ murmuring against Moses (described throughout chapters 15–17). What are some ways we can help and sustain our leaders? What blessings come to us and our leaders as we do?
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