Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Moses and the Red Sea

Old Testament people Ages 4–10 Story 6 of 25

Exodus 2–14 · ESV memory verse below

Moses and the Red Sea

Who is this?

Moses was a Hebrew baby God saved from the river. When he grew up, God sent him to lead Israel out of Egypt.

What happened?

At the sea, Pharaoh’s army chased Israel. The LORD split the water. His people walked through on dry ground.

The story

A mother hid her baby, then laid him in a basket among the reeds by the river. Pharaoh’s daughter found him and named him Moses. God was already keeping him for a purpose.

When Moses was grown, the LORD spoke from a bush that burned but did not burn up. God said, “I AM WHO I AM.” He sent Moses to Pharaoh: “Let my people go.”

Israel came to the sea. Pharaoh’s chariots chased them. The people were afraid. Moses said, “Do not fear. Stand firm, and see the LORD save you.”

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back and made dry land. The waters were divided. Israel walked through on dry ground. God saved His people that day.

Memory verse (ESV)

The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

Exodus 14:14

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. Did Israel walk on dry ground or swim?
  2. Who saved Israel at the sea?

Ages ~8–12

  1. Why did Moses tell the people to stand firm and watch the LORD save?
  2. How is the Red Sea crossing a picture of God’s power to rescue?
  3. Where do we need courage to trust God instead of panic?

Family activity

Fill a clear bowl with water, then push the water aside with your hands as you retell the crossing.

Parent take-home

Read Exodus 14 (and glance at Exodus 3 if time allows). God brought Israel out with a mighty hand and made a way through the sea. Practice a short thank-you that the LORD still rescues His people; sing or say, “The LORD is my strength.”

Talk on the way home

  1. What stood in front of Israel at the sea?
  2. What did God tell Moses to do with his staff?
  3. When have we needed God to make a way we could not make?

Longer family guide: Week 6 on the family page.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (sequence). Number the boxes 1–4 in story order, or cut and rearrange.

For parents and teachers

Keep the glory on the LORD, not on Moses as a superhero. Israel was afraid; God said go forward. Read Exodus 14:13–14 slowly. Children can learn both to cry out to God and to walk when He says walk.